SINGAPORE—Brazil's Association of Natural Rubber Producers and Processing Plants—Apabor, in its Portuguese acronym—is the newest associate member of the International Rubber Study Group.
Based in Sao Paulo, Apabor has several activities as an association, especially to improve the relationship between natural rubber producers and processors. It holds regional meetings, monitors rubber markets, conducts a program for the sustainable identification of rubber plantations, and has a permanent government relations program.
Apabor has only three paid positions, according to the IRSG: its executive director, a secretary and an assistant. All other participants—including a president, a vice president, six directors and the members of the technical committee—serve three-year unpaid terms, it said.
Apabor has 1,100 producer members and represents 80 percent of all Brazilian processing plants, the IRSG said.