All India Rubber Industries Association (AIRIA) held an exclusive technical webinar under its Knowledge Series: Rubber & Beyond on 9th June 2025. The topic was CQI-30 Special Process: Rubber Processing System Assessment - Mixing & Molding featuring Gopal Raghvendra, M. Tech. (Industrial Metallurgy) from IIT Chennai, Qualified Metallurgist and Assessor for CQI | Wepropel India.

The webinar began with Rajesh Kothari, Chairman, AIRIA, Western Region, Gujarat Chapter, introduced the speaker to all the participants who were present at the session. The webinar was attended by 200+ delegates.

The session aimed to provide insights into CQI-30 (Continuous Quality Improvement), a process related standard for rubber processing systems, particularly relevant for automotive industries. compliance and guidelines.

Gopal Raghvendra, an expert in CQI assessor, explained the standard's development by the automotive Industry Action Group and its applicability to both molding and extrusion processes in the rubber industry.

He also presented an overview of rubber processing technologies, focusing on the automotive sector's requirements for durability and performance in the production methods, including injection molding for mass production and differences between plastic and rubber industry standards. He discussed the importance of environmental factors affecting rubber products and their shelf life.

The session further highlighted the importance of employee training and development in manufacturing processes, emphasizing the need for comprehensive training programs for all employees, including temporary and contract workers. He also explained the concept of special processes, such as molding, and the challenges in quality control for these processes. Further, he mentioned the importance of non-destructive testing techniques and the need for proper controls in special processes to prevent product defects and recalls.

The webinar ended with presenting an overview of the global rubber industry, highlighting its growth, key drivers, and emerging trends.

He discussed the increasing demand for synthetic rubber and sustainable products, as well as the adoption of 3D printing and smart factory technologies. He also covered the benefits of productive maintenance and the use of nanomaterials in rubber products.

The presentation concluded with an exploration of smart rubber technologies and their potential applications in wearable devices.

At the end of the session, a Q&A took places where participants asked questions about CQI 30, including its applicability to different processes and the availability of check sheets.