ALL INDIA RUBBER INDUSTRIES ASSOCIATION (AIRIA)

To associate is to share, to share is to feel one with all those connected with the same industry or trade.  Out of unity emerges a united voice and strength for the articulation of problems, for solution and better prospects.  For an industry, progress emanates from better understanding and mutual co-operation amongst its members, and meaningful services through a common forum – an Association and hence its need.

WHAT IS AIRIA?

The All India Rubber Industries Association is a non-profit making body serving the rubber industry and trade with the objectives of safeguarding and promoting interests of the industry.

AIMS & OBJECTS

The aims and objects for which AIRIA stands, inter-alia, include:

• To promote and protect the interest, growth and development of the Rubber Industry.

• To foster co-operation among individuals and units engaged in the manufacture of rubber goods with a view to safeguarding and promoting the interests of the industry.

• To provide common fora for exchange of views amongst the members.

• To arrange conferences, exhibitions, trade delegations, factory visits, techno-commercial talks and allied activities.

• To investigate, collect and circulate information and statistics relating to the industry.

• To represent officially to Government the views of the industry on all matter affecting or likely to affect the industry.

• To help the members in solving the difficulties faced in procuring raw materials.

• To support or oppose legislative or other measures likely to affect the industry.

• To disseminate information through the official organ, periodicals, circulars, etc.

• Ordinary Class (Manufacturers of rubber products)
• Ordinary Patron (Life Member in Ordinary Class)
• Associate Class (Producers, dealers and suppliers of raw materials, machinery, equipment and dealers/suppliers of rubber goods)
• Associate Patron (Life Member in Associate Class)
• Associate Class
• Technical Class (Members with prescribed technical qualifications)
• Subscription Class (Firms/Individuals interested in subscribing to Journal/Circulars of AIRIA)

PARTICIPATION

The AIRIA is closely connected with the Rubber Board, the Indian Rubber Manufacturers Research Association, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), as well as the Educational institutions like IRI, Government Polytechnic (Bandra) and Anna University (Chennai). 

• Representing problems as grievances of industry to the concerned government authorities.

• Offering views and suggestions to Government on policy matters.

• Disseminating information – technical and commercial – to its constituent members through the monthly journal, Rubber India, information bulletins, special circulars etc.

• Organising technical talks, get-togethers, seminars/symposia/exhibitions on topics of interest to the rubber industry.

• Providing reference material through its library.

• Dealing with specific subjects to serve the industry in different fields through specially constituted committees/panels.

• Extending advisory services to firms and individuals interested in entering the rubber industry.

• During its existence of over 55 years the AIRIA has made its impact on the rubber industry and has contributed towards all round development and progress.

• Ban on export of natural rubber till 1991, canalised imports of natural rubber to the extent of gap between demand and supply through STC, and import of 40,000 tonnes of natural rubber on an average till 1991.

• Opening depots by STC at Mumbai, Calcutta, Delhi for small scale units.  A buffer stock scheme was introduced with a reference price and the AIRIA kept constant pressure on the government to ensure stability in supplies and prices of natural rubber.

• Ban of licensing new units for processing centrifuged latex was lifted and a subsidy scheme was introduced to compensate difference between the international and local price of natural rubber.

• A development Panel was constituted for the progress of the non-tyre sector.

• Clarification was obtained that all synthetic rubbers, except SBR and PBR were allowed for import under OGL including Butyl, Silicone, Vit, EPDM etc. to eliminate confusion created due to removal of unlisted items from OGL category in 1991.

• The requirement of registration of contracts with DGTD while importing synthetic rubbers under OGL was removed.

• Carbon black was added to the list of REP licences and permission was granted to import carbon black as also rubber chemicals and their basic feed-stock/raw material during severe shortages.

• Restriction imposed on the import of rubber hoses as also import of conveyor belts upto 1700 mm width prior to liberalisation.

• Concession and subsequent reduction in excise duty was restored on tread rubber and on polyester yarn used for manufacture of beltings and exemption from purview of excise was secured on re-rubberising of old/used rollers and relining of old tanks.

• Demand Notices on imports of NBR, asking for 23% additional duty were withdrawn.

• Excise exemption on surgical-examination gloves and feeding bottle nipples.

• Excise reduction on latex foam from 69% to 16% over the years.

• Securing significant relives in Union Budgets for the rubber industry over the years.

• Restoration of Export promotion work to Capexil from the Rubber Board.

• Tyres, tubes and flaps produced by small scale units covered under the scope of general small scale exemption scheme.

• Import duty reduction on natural rubber from 70% to 20%.

• Exemption on rubber compound for non-modvat units and for captive consumption, which were withdrawn in 1994-95 budget, were restored and exemption obtained for rubber footwear upto price of Rs.75 per pair, hawai chappals as well as non-cellular plates, sheets, blocks and strips used in footwear soles.

• Reduction in import duty on specialist rubbers falling under chapter 39 from yester years’ level of 150/300% to 35%.

• Coverage of all rubber products falling within chapter 40 under the scope of general SSI exemption scheme in the Union Budget for 2000-01.

• Commencing of Courses in Rubber Technology at Anna University (Chennai) and Govt. Polytechnic (Mumbai).

• Raising substantial funds through the seminar ‘Rubber Vision 2000’ to finance the education programme at Got. Polytechnic, Bandra.