Further tyre makers publish GPSNR-aligned rubber procurement policies

Hankook Tire and Apollo Tyres are the latest tyre manufacturers to align their natural rubber procurement policies with the framework adopted by the Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber (GPSNR) in September 2020. Indian firm Apollo has released its first natural rubber policy document, while South Korea’s Hankook has updated the policy it introduced in 2018. Earlier this week, Yokohama Rubber announced it had altered its natural rubber procurement policy to accommodate the GPSNR policy framework.

The first edition of the Apollo Tyres Sustainable Natural Rubber Policy (ASNRP) sets out the tyre maker’s sustainable procurement vision, policy and guiding principles. It comprises six components, namely Labour and Human Rights, Health and Safety, Ethics and Legal Compliance, Environmental protection and preservation, Improving Production Efficiency and Supply chain Assessment

Apollo Tyres says its ASNRP creates “a solid foundation of navigating company’s business activities while balancing the environmental, social and human right aspects of natural rubber supply chain, with the collaboration of the stakeholders involved.” Through the execution of this policy, together with the implementation of guidance and baseline reporting requirements, Apollo Tyres believes it will be able to commit to building a sustainable natural rubber supply chain.

Hankook: Sustainability an uncompromisable agenda

The updated Hankook Tire Sustainable Natural Rubber Policy obliges each party in the natural rubber value chain, including producers, processors, traders and manufacturers, not only to comply with the laws and regulations of the countries in which they operate but also to Hankook’s requirements, which are in line with GSPNR policy across diverse fields such as human rights, environmental protection and management transparency.

“Sustainability is an agenda that we cannot compromise, and value chains are an integral part of sustainability management plan today. We know that for the future to be sustainable, we must reframe the way we operate and do our business with all the stakeholders involved,” says Sooil Lee, president and chief executive officer of Hankook Tire & Technology. “As a member of the GPSNR, we are committed to legal compliance, community livelihoods, healthy, functioning ecosystems, and respecting all human rights in natural rubber procurement and production. Together with our supply chain partners, we will help improve the quality of life of the natural rubber cultivators, upgrade quality of natural rubber and minimise environmental impact.”

Stefano Savi, GPSNR platform director, comments: Hankook Tire‘s alignment with the GPSNR’s policy framework reflects their commitment to a fair, equitable and sustainable natural rubber value chain. As more and more member companies align with the policy framework, we believe this is a step ahead for the industry at large as GPSNR finds 50 per cent of the natural rubber demand represented in its membership.”