Rubber futures prices in major markets rose slightly across the board today (January 13), despite pressure from increasing tire inventories in China. This development indicates a somewhat improved market sentiment, although fundamental supply and demand factors remain intertwined.
World Rubber Prices
At the close of trading, the price of March 2026 rubber futures on the Chinese exchange rose 0.1% (equivalent to 10 Yuan), to 15,925 Yuan/ton. In Thailand, the price of February 2026 rubber futures increased 0.6% (0.4 Baht), reaching 63 Baht/kg. On the Japanese exchange, the price of rubber futures for the same period increased 0.3% (1 Yen), to 348 Yen/kg.
From an industry perspective, Kumho Tire Group (South Korea) recently signed an agreement to invest in and build a new tire manufacturing plant in the Bitgreen Industrial Complex, Hampyeong County, southwestern South Korea. This information was announced by the company on December 9th.
According to Kumho Tire, the project is being implemented as the company restructures its production capacity following the serious fire at its Gwangju plant last May. With a total investment of 661 billion won (approximately 390 million euros), the new plant in its first phase will have a capacity of 5.3 million tires and 7 million units of refined rubber per year.
Scheduled for completion by the end of 2027 and commercial production beginning in 2028, the factory will be equipped with a modern production system based on the "smart factory" concept and environmentally friendly practices. The company expects this project to play a key role in enhancing global competitiveness in the medium and long term, through expanding capacity, improving production efficiency, and enhancing product quality.
Alongside its project in South Korea, Kumho Tire is also pursuing international investment plans. Last December, the group announced the construction of a €500 million tire factory in Opole, Poland, with a designed capacity of 6 million passenger car tires per year, expected to begin operations in August 2028.
In another development, Metso Corp., a supplier of equipment and solutions for the mining industry, also announced investment in a new rubber product manufacturing plant in Quzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.
Production of screening materials is expected to begin in Q1 2026, while production of grinding liners will commence in the latter half of 2026. The plant will utilize modern technology, enabling the manufacturing of large-sized, highly complex rubber components and composite materials.
Domestic rubber prices
In the domestic market, the purchase price of raw rubber generally remains stable.
Specifically, at Binh Long Rubber Company, the purchase price of liquid latex at the factory remains at 440 VND/degree TSC/kg, the purchase price at the production team is at 412 VND/degree TSC/kg, while the price of mixed latex (DRC 60%) remains at 14,000 VND/kg.
Ba Ria Rubber Company currently quotes the purchase price of liquid latex at 415 VND/degree TSC/kg (applicable to TSC degrees from 25 to under 30), DRC coagulated latex (35-44%) at 13,900 VND/kg, and raw latex at 18,500 VND/kg.
At MangYang Company, the purchase price of liquid latex was recorded at around 403-408 VND/TSC (depending on grade 1 or grade 2), while the price of mixed coagulated latex fluctuated around 368-419 VND/DRC.
Meanwhile, Phu Rieng Company offered a stable purchase price of mixed latex at 390 VND/DRC, and a purchase price of liquid latex at 420 VND/TSC.
https://thuongtruong.com.vn/news/gia-cao-su-hom-nay-131-thi-truong-the-gioi-khoi-sac-158689.html
