Rubber scarcity hits beleaguered carmakers
Prices rise because of leaf disease, drought and floods in producer countries, and stockpiling by China
13 April 2021 - 17:26
Vehicle makers struggling with pandemic-induced plant shutdowns and a global chip shortage are now confronting another supply chain headache: dwindling rubber supplies.
Snarled shipping lines are disrupting the movement of natural rubber, a key material used in tyres as well as components under the hood. With the global supply already running short after stockpiling by China and a devastating leaf disease, rubber prices are on the rise and some US automotive suppliers are rushing to secure shipments before the market gets squeezed further...
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