The Kerala Rubber Limited, a state public sector undertaking, is set to establish an industrial complex and integrated facility to promote natural rubber-based and ancillary industries. Some of the major objectives of the plan includes ensuring better price realization for rubber growers and facilitation of value addition of natural rubber.

The facilities are proposed to operate in public private partnership mode. The construction of the research and development centre, training centre, tyre testing centre, tyre powdering unit, sterilizing centre, treatment plants and facilities for staff is estimated to cost Rs. 191.61 crore. The project is proposed to be completed in the 2026-27 financial year. The integrated facility will be aimed at developing world class manufacturing infrastructure to promote investment in the rubber sector. Processing facilities for natural rubber will be established and trading activities to create demand will be undertaken. As part of steps to ensure procurement of natural rubber from rubber growers, seamless linkage facilities will be ensured.

Once the facilities become a reality, it is expected to improve marketability and value addition of natural rubber and thereby increase returns to growers with focus on Rubber Producers Societies (RPS) and other farmer groups. It is also expected to lead to the establishment of natural rubber based manufacturing industries in Kerala to supply high quality rubber products destined for domestic and international markets and make the State a hub for rubber based industries. The facilities can also nurture the development of rubber based industries with specific thrust to technology oriented and value added non-tyre rubber products.

The departmental working group held on April 30 this year approved the proposal from the Chairperson and Managing Director, Kerala Rubber Limited. An amount of Rs. 9 crore has been allocated for the initial phase of the project.