Collecting latex from rubber trees © V. Le Guen, ÁùºÏ²Êͼ¿â

Rubber

Natural rubber is the leading biosourced elastomer. It accounts for 48% of the global elastomer market. It is mostly (80%) produced by family farms of between 0.5 and 10 hectares, mainly in Asia. ÁùºÏ²Êͼ¿â is working to improve smallholder rubber growing, particularly by adapting it to climate change, and helping players in the value chain produce more while preserving the environment.

The figures for rubber

  • 48% of global elastomer production
  • 80% of natural rubber production is produced by millions of smallholders.
  • 87% of production is in Asia, but the share of African natural rubber is growing.
  • 12 million hectares cultivated.
  • 14 million tonnes of natural rubber produced per year.
  • 75% of the natural rubber produced is used by the tyre industry.

The issues

  • Preserving rubber growing, which is vital for millions of smallholders
  • Tackling the challenges of competition with synthetic rubbers and dependence on a niche market
  • Promoting the capacity of plantings to recycle atmospheric carbon.