Halcyon to launch digital platform for sustainable natural rubber trading

SINGAPORE—Halcyon Agri Corp. has partnered with Singapore-based DBS Bank in its bid to set up a digital trading platform for natural rubber.

The HeveaConnect joint venture is 90 percent owned by Halcyon and will tap into the digital expertise of DBS to build an "industry ecosystem."

Under the partnership agreement, the HeveaConnect digital platform will be launched in the first quarter of 2019 to trade "sustainably-processed" natural rubber. As part of this, HeveaConnect will be the exclusive platform for the sale of Heveapro- certified TSR—Halcyon's range of sustainably processed rubber.

"HeveaConnect will offer the tire industry the minimum viable sustainability standard—open to all eligible producers—and by extension lead the path to full supply chain sustainability and traceability," Robert Meyer, Halcyon's executive director and CEO, said in a written statement.

The platform, Halcyon said, is intended to be an "all-inclusive" venue that connects natural rubber stakeholders, including farmers, rubber producers and tire makers. Producers and consumers will be able to track pricing and supply information and transact directly on the platform, providing price transparency within the market, according to a Halcyon statement.

Other services to be provided include financing, insurance and logistics.

According to Meyer, Halcyon is the first natural rubber producer on board with the platform, and it is encouraging its tire customers to join as well. Discussions with other natural rubber producers, consumers and partners about participation in the marketplace are ongoing.