Malaysian Rubber Council Wins Gold Stevie Award For Rubber Innovation Commercialisation
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 4 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Rubber Council (MRC) has won a Gold Stevie Award at the 2026 International Business Awards for its Coordinated Commercialisation Framework (CCF), which helps translate Malaysian rubber innovations into commercial products.
The award was presented under the Cross-Sector Public Innovation Partnership of the Year category.
In a statement, MRC said the 2026 International Business Awards attracted more than 3,800 nominations from 78 countries, with entries evaluated by more than 210 professionals worldwide.
“The recognition places MRC among international award recipients acknowledged for their achievements in cross-sector collaboration,” it said.
MRC said the CCF, developed with the support of the Plantation and Commodities Ministry and its strategic partners, brings together government agencies, research institutions, technology developers, industry players and funding bodies to facilitate the commercialisation of Malaysian rubber innovations.
“Through this coordinated approach, MRC helps rubber products manufacturers access relevant technologies, technical expertise, funding opportunities and market connections to support the progression of innovations from research and development towards commercial application and market adoption,” the council said.
MRC chairman Datuk Seri Mohamad Suparadi Md Noor said the recognition reflects the collective effort to translate Malaysia's research and innovation capabilities into tangible benefits for the rubber industry.
“Malaysia has strong capabilities in rubber research, manufacturing and product development. What matters is ensuring that these strengths translate into commercial opportunities that benefit industry players,” he said.
Mohamad Suparadi added that the recognition affirms the importance of collaboration in bridging research and industry needs.
“Through the CCF, MRC will continue connecting with the right expertise, resources and partners to help bring promising Malaysian rubber innovations to market and strengthen the long-term competitiveness of the Malaysian rubber products industry,” he said.
MRC said the framework involves 25 universities and five government agencies, providing access to 100 technologies and intellectual properties, 386 technical experts, and 416 specialised facilities and services.
These resources are complemented by MRC's support initiatives, including the Commercialisation Matching Programme (ComMATCH), Industry Linkage Fund 2.0 (ILF 2.0), MRC Commercialisation Fund (MCF) and Fund for Automation and Green Technology (FAGT), which facilitate industry-linked R&D, commercialisation readiness, technology adoption and sustainable manufacturing, it said.
Under ILF 2.0, MRC has supported 11 industry projects, including the Green Precured Tyre Tread Liner Formulation, commercialised by Eversafe Rubber Bhd, and is working towards entering the Japanese market.
Under FAGT, the council also supported 24 projects involving the adoption of automation, digitalisation and sustainable manufacturing practices.
Separately, MRC assisted Geomax Rubber Innovative Products to secure RM500,000 in funding to commercialise its patented zero-waste technology derived from nitrile glove waste.
“Within three years, the company recorded more than 20-fold revenue growth and expanded from one factory to three.
“MRC also assisted Jupiter Solutions and Heveatex to secure RM150,400 and RM358,200 funding, respectively, to commercialise their innovative products,” it said.
MRC said it would continue strengthening strategic collaborations, facilitating technology adoption and expanding market opportunities to support the commercialisation of Malaysian rubber and rubber product innovations, as well as the industry’s long-term growth and global competitiveness.
-- BERNAMA