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NT Bureau
Chennai, Dec 28:

        Indian rubber industry has made rapid strides. To showcase the recent development in this segment, a three-day expo is being organised in Chennai starting from 17 January, 2007.

        Addressing reporters here chairman of International Rubber Expo (IRE), Anil Sampath, said over 250 exhibitors, mostly from abroad, would exhibit their products during the four day expo. Rubber machinery sector, automotive components sector and plantation sector would be the main focus of the exhibition.

        Briefing about the rubber industry, Anil said 'Indian rubber industry had reported an annual growth of 25 per cent in recent times, mainly due to the expansion of automobile sector, which consumes 60 per cent of the domestic production.

        He said that the 'Indian Rubber Expo' provides an ideal opportunity for manufacturers of auto rubber components to sell their products to the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM).

        'With 45 per cent of rubber being used in tyre manufacturing and another 15 to 20 per cent in wipers, door beadings and under the hood rubber parts, the automobile industry no doubt is a main constituent for the rubber industry. And it is no wonder, the rubber industry has shown strong growth and would keep growing to meet the demand from the automotive segment,' he added.

        President of All India Rubber Industry Association K T Thomas said 'the Indian passenger car production has crossed the 1.25 million mark this year and will continue to grow rapidly in the next 3 to 4 years. Chennai which is known as the

        Detroit of India has a large number of global auto majors who have set up most modern factories and manufacturing a range of world class cars.

        Hyundai, the Korean major has already announced an increase in its production from 300,000 cars to 600,000 by 2007. In fact, they are in the process of scaling this up to 1.2 million cars by 2009/10 ad thereby making India a global manufacturing hub for its small cars.'

        Chairman of southern region, IRE, Vinod Simon said 'Chennai's improved infrastructure facilities with its large port having excellent container handling system, a good international airport, road and rail connectivity to all parts of the country, availability of abundant skilled labour force together with highly skilled engineers, financial and administrative managers are the most attractive features for the global auto-makers to set up the plants in Chennai.'

        A three-day conference between 18 to 20 January will focus on the latest trends and technologies available in the rubber industry and it will also a carry discussions on testing equipments, synthetic rubber and natural rubber.

        All India Rubber Industry Association, Rubber Board of India and CAPEXIL will also be the sponsors of the event.