Together with Germany’s main development agency, Continental has extended its project to enhance natural rubber sustainability in Indonesia by a further three years. The tyre maker invites other companies in the sector to join the project, too.
The European Commission has welcomed the provisional political agreement reached between the European Parliament and the Council on its proposal to delay the start of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) by 12 months, claiming this longer phase-in period will “ensure proper and effective implementation” while “preserving its integrity.”
Sustainable tyre manufacturing took a step forward in 2021 when Pirelli introduced the first Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified tyre, designed specifically for the BMW X5 plug-in hybrid. Supporting this milestone was Thai Eastern Group Holdings (TEGH), which supplied the FSC-certified block rubber that Pirelli used to make the certified P Zero tyre. Earlier this year, we visited the Chonburi plantation of Thailand’s first FSC-certified block rubber producer to find out more about the company and its efforts to deliver sustainability.
After negotiating with its insurance company, Hainan Rubber has received partial rubber income insurance compensation of 30 million yuan (about £3.2 million; €3.9 million) prepaid by the other party. Hainan Rubber said actual rubber income was lower than the target income due to the super typhoon Makar in September 2024, triggering the insurance payment conditions.
Beginning in September 2024, The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. is participating as an official partner in a research project that aims to reduce wastage when harvesting natural rubber by utilising the seeds of Para rubber trees. This “Utilization Technology of Rubber Seeds for Green Products to Mitigate Global Warming and Plastic Pollution” project brings together protagonists from government bodies, industry, and academia in Japan and Thailand, with Japan’s government providing support through its Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development (SATREPS) programme.
From the start of September 2024, tyre maker Prinx Chengshan has switched to exclusively using ‘EUDR-ready’ natural rubber. This changeover occurred several months ahead of the European Union’s official deadline of 30 December 2024 and ensures that Prinx Chengshan complies with all regional requirements.
As part of a project involving parties based in Japan and Indonesia, Bridgestone Corporation is working to develop technologies for preventing White Root Disease (WRD) in Para rubber trees. WRD kills rubber trees by infecting the roots with pathogenic fungi that causes tissue decay, and the disease’s onset is difficult to detect. By developing technologies to prevent fungal infection, the project aims to stabilise the yield of natural rubber and improve the productivity of plantations.
Natural rubber produced at the Xilian Rubber Plantation, located in south China’s Hainan Province and run by China Hainan Rubber Industry Group Co. Ltd. is making its way around the world and even as far as leading global tyremakers.
Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd.’s Singapore subsidiary, Yokohama Rubber Singapore Pte. Ltd., held a “Suppliers’ Day” for suppliers of natural rubber in July. The event was part of Yokohama Rubber’s efforts to “promote procurement of sustainable natural rubber, facilitating the exchange of information and establishing a common awareness of supply chain issues”.
Retreading specialist Kraiburg Austria has embarked on a significant initiative to source natural rubber almost directly from small farmers in Indonesia. The Austrian firm formalised this development at the German Rubber Conference (DKT) in Nuremberg at the beginning of July, with the signing of a contract between Kraiburg Austria and its long-standing partner, Weber & Schaer.
Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. (SRI) has commenced a collaborative research venture with Khon Kaen University, focusing on advancing techniques in rubber tree tissue culture. The Falken tyre brand manufacturer formalised this agreement at a signing ceremony held at the university’s campus in Thailand.
On 12 March 2024, Bridgestone Americas (Bridgestone) announced that its Firestone Liberia natural rubber growing and processing facility has attained International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS recognition. Firestone Liberia earned ISCC PLUS certification for its efforts in “reducing environmental impacts, utilizing resources efficiently and enhancing its capacity to adapt to, mitigate and build resilience to climate change”, according to the company.
Yokohama held a seminar alongside the Surat Thani branch of the Rubber Authority of Thailand (RAOT) in December 2023 to help Thai natural rubber farmers improve the quality and productivity of their natural rubber. 70 farm households in the Surat Thani area participated in the event. Each participating household received a complimentary 250kg of fertiliser developed with RAOT’s specialist knowledge. The seminar is the sixth held by Yokohama Rubber and RAOT since 2020.
Falken tyre brand manufacturer Sumitomo Rubber Industries (SRI) has a new means of verifying supply chain transparency for the natural rubber it utilises. Its procurement company Sumitomo Rubber Singapore Pte. Ltd. been using the Rubberway solution since July 2023, and SRI emphasises that “being part of this industry initiative will accelerate sustainable procurement of natural rubber.”
Sri Trang Agro-Industry has joined 23 other rubber producers, processors and traders at GPSNR making the industry-wide transition to sustainable natural rubber. Sri Trang Agro-Industry Public Company Limited (STA) has specifically joined the producers, processors and traders category.
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