Dear colleagues and friends,

Greetings!

The International Rubber Thematic Conference 2027 (RubberCon 2027) will be held in Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, China, on May 12–13, 2027. This marks China's second time hosting this premier global rubber conference under the International Rubber Conference Organisation (IRCO), following the successful RubberCon 2019 in Hangzhou. Under the theme “Sustainable, Durability, Eco-friendly Rubbery Materials,” the conference closely aligns with the global rubber industry’s green transformation and high-quality development. With a focus on innovation, the conference aims to address the needs of our era and promote the sustainable and high-quality development of the industry.

Despite a rapidly changing world and ongoing regional conflicts that disrupt the global economic landscape and development order, innovation, green practices, cooperation, and win-win remain the shared goals of our industry. As a fundamental global industry, the rubber sector is transitioning toward high-end, intelligent, and low-carbon development. Raw materials, in particular, have drawn significant attention, as they must be high-performance, green, and sustainable to underpin the industry's transformation and upgrading. Over the two-day conference, in-depth discussions will be held on seven cutting-edge topics: genomics and AI models of rubber materials; bio-based rubber raw materials; reinforcing materials and additives for rubbers; rubber rheology, new processing technology and intelligent manufacture; life health/functional/intelligent/bionic rubber materials; design and synthesis of harsh service environment rubber materials; recycling and reuse of waste rubber materials.

The conference is organized by the Chemical Industry and Engineering Society of China (CIESC) and co-organized by Xi'an Jiaotong University. As one of China's leading universities, Xi'an Jiaotong University boasts profound expertise and remarkable achievements in materials science, polymer engineering, and advanced manufacturing, providing strong academic and organizational support for the conference.

Xi'an, historically known as Chang'an, is a major cradle of Chinese civilization and the starting point of the ancient Silk Road. It bears the profound legacy of ancient capitals spanning the Zhou, Qin, Han, and Tang dynasties, and boasts world-renowned historical treasures such as the Terracotta Warriors, the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, and the Ming City Wall. At the same time, Xi'an radiates modern technological vitality and innovation, serving as a major hub for scientific research, education, and high-tech industries in China. Here, ancient civilization and cutting-edge technology complement each other, while traditional heritage and innovative spirit merge perfectly, creating a unique and profound atmosphere for this international rubber conference. It offers an exceptional platform for global colleagues to exchange scientific achievements, industrial technologies, and innovative ideas, helping to translate more scientific outcomes into real-world productivity and fostering win-win cooperation.

We look forward to welcoming rubber scientists and technologists from around the world to Xi'an to share cutting-edge achievements, spark innovative ideas, deepen friendships and cooperation, and jointly advance the rubber materials field toward green, high-performance, and intelligent development.

On behalf of the Organizing Committee, I extend our warmest invitation to colleagues across the global rubber science and technology community: let us gather in Xi’an in May 2027 to celebrate this grand event together!

Sincerely yours,

Chairman, RubberCon 2027

May 2026