Continental and Security Matters (SMX) have come together to develop and test a marker technology for natural rubber to bring greater transparency and traceability along the entire value chain of tyre and technical rubber products of the German tyre giant in the future.

Security Matters (SMX) focuses on the digitisation of physical objects in the blockchain

The marker substances enable the invisible labelling of natural rubber with information on its exact geographical origin. With the aid of special reading devices and specially developed software, the information on the natural rubber can be read out and its origin can be precisely assigned at any time. As part of the industrialisation of this technology, it would also be conceivable for the marker technology to be linked to blockchain technology, which is known to be particularly forgery-proof, said Continental.

"We are testing this marker technology to ensure in the future that the natural rubber we use in our tyres has been verifiably grown and sourced in a fully sustainable manner," says Claus Petschick, Head of Sustainability at Continental's Tires business area. He adds, "We aim to procure all our materials from responsible sources. Innovative technologies and digitalisation make an important contribution to this." Thus, by 2050 at the latest, all materials used by Continental in its worldwide tyre production are to be sourced responsibly.

Extensive laboratory tests by the two project partners have been successful. For example, different marker substances currently being tested have been detected both in the natural rubber latex ("Rubber tree to rubber bale test section") and in the processed and vulcanised natural rubber of the tire ("Rubber bale to tire test section"), and thus along the entire manufacturing process, without altering the appearance and performance of the end product.

Continental and Security Matters are now working on utilising the new marker technology to be used on a larger scale during the process of rubber extraction. "Our collaboration shows that physical and digital tracking can be ensured through unique and immutable chemical-based barcodes in rubber products as well," says Haggai Alon, founder, and CEO of Security Matters. He adds, "Together with Continental, we now want to use our marker technology to further improve the transparency of the natural rubber supply chain."

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Orion S.A., a global speciality chemicals company, has successfully secured the prestigious ISCC – the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification for its manufacturing facility located in Qingdao, China. This significant achievement is the direct result of a rigorous, independent audit process which validated that the plant’s operations fully comply with the comprehensive sustainability criteria established by ISCC.

The certification serves as a formal verification of both the transparency and the complete traceability of the sustainable raw materials integrated into the facility’s production value chain. This milestone is a key component of Orion’s overarching corporate strategy to implement and enhance sustainable practices throughout its international operations.

By achieving this globally recognised standard, the company reinforces its commitment to supplying clients with high-performance carbon black and other speciality chemical products that adhere to leading international environmental and sustainability benchmarks, thereby supporting customer goals for more responsible manufacturing.

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Ecolomondo Corporation, a Canadian developer of sustainable technology for recycling scrap tyres, has secured a provisional financing agreement with Export Development Canada (EDC) for USD 2.7 million. The funds are intended to support the final ramp-up phase of its Hawkesbury thermal decomposition plant by covering necessary capital investments and operational working capital.

Following months of negotiation, both parties have agreed in principle to the loan terms, which include augmenting an existing USD 2 million credit facility established by a subsidiary, Ecolomondo Environmental (Hawkesbury) Inc, in January 2025.

Furthermore, EDC has conditionally approved a temporary suspension of principal and interest payments for loans from 2024 and 2025, applicable during the facility's 2026 ramp-up period. This financial arrangement is designed to provide the liquidity required to advance the project to full operational capacity, pending the finalisation of formal documentation.

Jean-François Labbé, Interim CEO, Ecolomondo Corporation, said “We have been working steadily in Hawkesbury, hiring, training, increasing production, increasing sales and, most of all, improving efficiency. This additional financing from EDC is greatly appreciated and should allow the Hawkesbury TDP facility to achieve its full potential.”

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Cabot Corporation said it has received improved environmental ratings from CDP, reflecting continued progress in water management and steady performance on climate disclosures.

In CDP’s 2025 assessment, the company was awarded an A- rating for Water Security, up from a B in 2024, and a B rating for Climate Change, unchanged from the previous year. Cabot said the water score exceeded both global and industry averages, recognising its approach to managing water-related risks and implementing sustainable water practices.

The Climate Change rating remained stable year on year, with improvements reported in areas including climate risk disclosure, value chain engagement and industry collaboration.

The latest scores extend a five-year pattern of incremental improvement, achieved amid more demanding reporting standards and rising expectations from regulators, investors and customers.

“We are proud that CDP’s independent assessment reflects our ongoing efforts to enhance environmental performance and transparency,” said Jennifer Chittick, senior vice-president for Safety, Health and Environment and chief sustainability officer. “The improvement in our Water Security score demonstrates our leadership in this critical area, and we remain committed to advancing our sustainability strategy across all domains. This progress was made possible by our dedicated, global team, and we remain focused on driving further improvements in the years ahead.”

CDP assesses companies on environmental impact across climate change, water security and deforestation, using a scale from D for Disclosure to A for Leadership. In 2025, more than 24,800 companies were rated, representing about two-thirds of global market capitalisation.

Cabot said the results underline its focus on transparency and responsible environmental management as it continues to execute its sustainability strategy.

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A USD 1.4 million equipment enhancement at Liberty Tire Recycling’s Cameron, North Carolina, facility is set to significantly boost its processing capabilities. This upgrade, enabled by the state’s sustainable financial backing of its scrap tyre programme, will allow the facility to handle an extra 3,300 tonnes of material annually, representing nearly 300,000 passenger tyres.

A key improvement is the increased capacity to process truck tyres, which are more challenging to recycle due to their size and durable steel components. The resulting crumb rubber, highly sought after by manufacturers, will be directed towards producing floor mat bases and rubber tiles made entirely from recycled material. This material also serves as a component for athletic tracks, synthetic turf, rubberised asphalt and various moulded products.

This capital investment follows North Carolina’s legislative action to redirect tyre disposal fees into the state’s scrap tyre management system, a move that includes compensating counties for collection and recycling expenses. With North Carolina establishing itself as a centre for tyre recycling, Liberty Tire indicates it is evaluating further multi-million-dollar investments and job creation across its other operations in the state.

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