Old rubber gets new sheen in S'pore

Singapore

RUBBER production may have declined in Singapore, but the city-state continues to be at the forefront of the industry today: it trades the bulk of natural rubber in the world, and also sets the benchmark price for the commodity through the Singapore Exchange futures.

The sector, however, is now in the throes of change, with family-run firms giving way to new corporatised outfits in a trend that will only accelerate.

There are about 35 significant rubber companies in Singapore today…