The ANRPC's fourth annual rubber conference recently reported that, while the global natural rubber market outlook still appears optimistic, tire industry profits will fall significantly because of the high price of natural and synthetic rubber.

A China Natural Rubber Association official told the meeting that about 25 percent of tire companies will suffer losses and the average profit margin of tire companies will only be 3 percent this year. Predictions are that China's tire output for 2011 will rise 6 percent year-on-year, or lower than 2010's growth margin of 10.38 percent.