Rubber industry in India has evolved over a century from plantation-based raw rubber production to manufacture of technologically-advanced rubber products. The industry comprises small and large rubber growers, nursery owners, rubber processors, traders, synthetic and reclaimed rubber producers, tyre and non-tyre product manufacturers, rubber-wood processors, workforce and consumers in their millions.

Government and other promotional bodies, research institutions, centres of transfer of technology and skill development and media form an integral part of this industry.  The vibrance of activity in these sectors reflects the health of the industry. The need for a common forum for interaction, collective thinking and knowledge sharing through networking for further advancement of rubber industry has been felt for long.

In this context, an annual gathering - India Rubber Meet - is proposed to be held from 2014 onwards. India Rubber Meet 2014 (IRM 2014) is scheduled for 20 and 21 February, 2014 in Kochi, Kerala State.

The theme of IRM 2014 is “Indian Rubber: New Horizons”, which intends to pave way for an expansive survey on new frontiers of the Indian rubber industry. The Meet will discuss strategies for addressing prevailing challenges and deliberate on capitalizing emerging opportunities.

The Meet will have talks and panel discussions by internationally-renowned experts on wide range of topics such as:
 

		Global economic outlook and the future of commodities
		Short and medium-term  outlook for the global rubber industry
		Future of India in the global map of auto-tyre industry
		Short and medium-term outlook of China’s automobile industry, auto-tyre manufacturing sector and demand for rubber
		New legislations for auto-tyres and implications for rubber sector
		Current trends, emerging developments and challenges for the global synthetic rubber industry
		Innovations: The way forward for the global rubber industry