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At the 2026 World Athletics Indoor Championships in Kujawy Pomorze, American middle-distance runner Cooper Lutkenhaus claimed a historic men's 800m gold medal, breaking a long-standing national drought. Meanwhile, compatriot Katie Moon defended her women's pole vault title with a commanding performance, solidifying her status as one of the sport's greatest vaulters. The championships witnessed several thrilling finals and world-class displays from global track-and-field starsWorld Athletics

This article reports on the significant developments in the global EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) granules market as of March 2026. Driven by robust demand from sports infrastructure, playgrounds, and automotive sectors, the market is experiencing strong growth, projected to reach USD 1.03 billion by 2035 with a CAGR of 6.8%. However, the industry faces a major challenge with substantial price increases, triggered by rising crude oil costs and supply chain tensions. Concurrently, leading manufacturers are accelerating innovation in sustainable production, launching low-VOC, anti-yellowing, and high-content recycled EPDM products to meet stringent global environmental standards and enhance long-term market competitiveness.

World Athletics (formerly IAAF) has officially published its revised 2026 IAAF Certification System for Track and Runway Synthetic Surfaces, replacing previous performance specifications and testing protocols. The updated framework tightens technical requirements for shock absorption, friction, deformation, and durability, while strengthening laboratory accreditation, on-site inspection, and quality control rules. This news outlines key changes to the IAAF certification scheme, application procedures, compliance deadlines, and global impacts for sports facility builders, material suppliers, venue operators, and project investors worldwide.

The global market for Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) rubber continues its steady expansion in 2026, fueled by robust demand from automotive, construction, and electrical industries. Valued at USD 4.93 billion in 2025, the market is forecast to grow to USD 6.50 billion by 2034, with a compou

As more playground and sports surfacing projects prioritize safety, durability, and long-term performance, product quality is becoming a key focus in material selection. Industry guidance continues to emphasize impact attenuation, slip resistance, and proper installation for safer rubber surfacing systems. At the same time, public safety guidance also reminds operators to consider maintenance and surface temperature in outdoor environments. For contractors, schools, and facility owners, choosing reliable EPDM granules and professionally installed systems is increasingly important for achieving both safety and visual performance

In 2026, the global demand for EPDM rubber granules continues to rise, driven by increasing investments in sports infrastructure, playground safety, and sustainable construction materials. With superior durability, color stability, and environmental performance, EPDM granules are becoming the preferred choice for modern surface applications.