Career in Rubbers

The subject dealing with the processing of latex, natural rubber or synthetic rubber to transform them into useful products is known as Rubber Technology. This subject also deals with different types of rubbers, their properties, and descriptions of formulation of rubber compounds.

The methods involved in the processing of rubber are – Vulcanisation, Mastication and Calendaring. Crude rubber is brought into a shape for forming the final products once it goes through these processes. With the increasing number of automobiles and increasing use of rubber in industries rubber technology is becoming a lucrative career option for students.

Eligibility

There are a number of institutes offering rubber technology courses at different levels all across the country. The Bachelors degree in the field is known as BE or B Tech. Another rare degree in the field is an ABSC some institutes even offer an M Tech Degree course in rubber technology.

Students that have managed to complete their higher secondary education in the second division with science subjects can apply for the bachelor’s degree course in the field. The various institutes hold entrance exams which the student must pass in order to be granted admission.

You can pursue your Masters degree in rubber technology once you have completed your bachelor’s in this particular field or a closely related one like polymer science and chemical engineering.

Benefits

Although about 6,000 rubber units are active in the country very few people are aware of Rubber Technology as a career option. Rubber industry is growing in stature due to the high demands of tyres, whether high-tech tires of airplanes or tires of bicycles. Rubber is also being used in car decorations and in other industries.

Scope in India

This is comparatively a new field of action and the demands for trained personnel are soaring high at the present times. Students of Rubber Technology are generally recruited in tire companies like Apollo tires, JK Tires, MRF, Ceat, etc. As rubber is an important part of the semi conductor industry huge recruitments are also occurring here. Other industries like those making waterproof wares e.g. Duckback (Kolkata) also recruit students from this field. Other industries which hire personnel from this field are, Gas Authority of India Limited, HCL technologies, Haldia Petrochemicals, so on and so forth.

Scope abroad

International tire companies and industries are tapping talents from India. Rubber processing units of the western countries like France, UK and US are also recruiting trained professionals form India. The pay is much higher as compared to those of the Indian companies.

Institutions

• Gujarat University, Navarangpura, Ahmedabad. courses – BE Rubber engineering(4 years)
• Anna University, Sardar Patel Road, Guindy, Chennai. Courses – B.Tech Rubber Tech (4 years)
• Cochin University of Science and technology, Kochi. Course – B.Tech Polymer science and Rubber Technology (3 years)
• “IIT-Kharagpur, West Bengal. Course: M. Tech Rubber Technology (2 years).