Rubber certainly has its role to play in forest landscapes across the world, with natural rubber plantations having risen as a substantial basis of deforestation. One element that addresses deforestation concerns is the correct certification of rubber – be it natural or synthetic. International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC), a globally leading certification system, works with the objective of providing sustainability solutions for fully traceable and deforestation-free supply chains, inter alia involving the rubber industry. ISCC was one of the presenters at the Tire Technology Expo 2022 at Hannover, Germany, and Dr Jan M Henke, Director, ISCC, threw light on the nitty-gritty of certifications in the rubber industry, their clients in the tyre and rubber industry and more, in an interaction with Tyre Trends.

Can you tell us about your global sustainability scheme?
Our global sustainability and carbon certification scheme has certified companies in more than 100 countries. We certify entire supply chains from farms to plantations and forestry, and also the point of origin of waste and residues, biogenic and fossil waste. This is also covering rubber and natural rubber. Moreover, we cover biogenic waste and residues, including fossil waste, like carbon black, which is, again, used in the rubber industry. We also certify pyrolysis, where recycled mixed plastic waste can help produce synthetic rubber out of the pyrolysis oil. And we certify the entire supply chain, sustainability of raw material.

What is Meo’s role?
Meo initiated ISCC in a multi-stakeholder process a long time ago. It once was a Meo project and went on to become an operations and certification scheme. It was even recognised by the European Commission and some other authorities. It later got segregated from Meo, and ISCC is governed by the ISCC Association with more than 200 members.

So, what role does Meo play in this in case of certification?
Certification is always by independent, third-party certification bodies. ISCC is the standard development. Today’s ISCC was once a project of Meo. It then went on to become independent and operational, and was no longer a project but an individual entity running and further developing and improving the certification scheme.

The operations of the certification system, database, registration, qualification, training programme, integrity programme, the website and all the day-to-day business is done by ISCC. We are currently incorporating 45 certification bodies that are actually doing the on-site audits based on the ISCC standard.

Is ISCC recognised by the European Union?
Yes, it is being used in many sectors, like in bio energy, bio fuel, renewable transport fuels etc. In fact, ISCC is also recognised by the European Commission and by companies based on their sustainability standards and different industry initiatives.

Hence, ISCC is active on a really broad scale, covering different types of raw materials, natural rubber being one of them. We are also covering waste and residues for pyrolysis and their outputs. We then go to all the different end markets, which can be polymers, rubber, tyres, packaging, all types of plastic products, bio energy or any type of renewable fuels, aviation fuels, maritime fuels etc. This is global and is being used in more than 100 countries.

Tyre companies are talking about sustainability, but the larger part of the industry is of small stakeholders, especially in the natural rubber segment, where traceability and accountability are the main issues. How do you see this?
That’s a big challenge, especially in rubber production. At the cultivation level, there are a lot of small holders. There also exist large plantations that are easier to implement and certify. However, it’s definitely a bigger challenge with the small holders; it always depends on how well they are organised, whether there are certain structures, cooperatives or some central units.

Can you tell us about the certification of natural rubber?
The certification of natural rubber is definitely possible. Palm oil is maybe another example where the setup is quite similar sometimes. Also, with respect to the small holders, sometimes the companies are the same. Furthermore, we are very active in the palm oil sector with ISCC. We now also see a demand for natural rubber sustainability certification.

Is there a different process for getting certified in the rubber industry or is it a standard process?
It’s a standard process. It works on plantation. In fact, it works more or less the same as for palm plantations. But you certainly need to make sure that all the small holders reach a certain level, which is difficult. So starting out, bigger plantations may be easier because it’s easier for them to properly prepare for the certification audits. And then, you need to involve more farmers, step by step.

Who decides the standard process to get the certifications?
ISCC develops the standards and the requirements in the multi-stakeholder process. It then comes down to a company saying that it wants to become certified, use ISCC and also make certain claims and communications to its customers and stakeholders. They then reach out to a certification body, that is cooperating with ISCC. Following this, the certification body will do the audit on site – the third-party auditor will also make a decision on the issuance of the certificate.

Can tyre manufacturers get different certifications? For instance, one for natural rubber and another one for synthetic rubber? Or do they get one for all?
If tyre manufacturers source raw material for manufacturing from natural rubber but also synthetic rubber and everything under ISCC, then it’s one audit. Then the auditor would look into aspects of the volume of natural rubber being used that has been certified, although upstream. If one buys from certified suppliers and if the same auditors check, then aspects like the share of the certified synthetic rubber being used, the share of carbon black, etc. are taken into account. And finally, everything can be put together and a certain claim can be made.

Can tyre companies get a separate certificate for natural rubber?
Yes, they can. They can have separate certificates for natural and synthetic rubber both, or even of everything together. As for the final tyre, let’s say, if it’s 20 percent natural rubber and 20 percent synthetic rubber (40 percent of the tyre), then they can make certain sustainability claims on use of sustainable, circular materials etc.

What is the value of a certification?
It’s no deforestation – that’s key when it comes to natural rubber. When you certify, ‘no deforestation’ is the core requirement and deforestation is not allowed under ISCC. It is about additional environmental and social human rights criteria. This fits fine in this part of ISCC’s sustainability standard. And then it’s certainly about traceability in the supply chain, all the way in the end to the final tyre. And if this is established, then you can certainly make claims about the rubber or the final tyre, saying that it has been sustainably produced, based on sustainably sourced raw materials etc.

Plus, if you do this in a smart way, then you can actually cover the natural and synthetic rubber. Natural rubber and synthetic rubber are both very important parts of the final tyre. Both can be covered under ISCC.

Deforestation is a big issue, mainly in Southeast Asian and African countries. How difficult is it to keep an eye on that?
It’s not always easy to handle. Deforestation is not allowed under ISCC; there is a cut-off date of January 2008. If there was deforestation after January 2008, one cannot become certified. However, replanting or a change from palm to rubber is not considered as deforestation.

For example, if you have a palm plantation and if you cut it and plant rubber after 25 years, then that’s not deforestation. That’s just normal replanting.

Also, ISCC is certainly doing assessments, supported by remote sensing. Our core principle is no deforestation, which is very important to ISCC and its stakeholders. ISCC is not just us doing the operations in Cologne; there’s the ISCC Association for the multi-stakeholder dialogue. It has over 200 members from entire supply chains, industries, plantation companies, mineral oil, chemical companies, converters etc. We also have research organisations from different regions involved. In fact, also a number of non-governmental organisations are members of the ISCC Association.

The association meets annually and makes important strategic decisions and elects the ISCC Board. Due to the representation of the research sector and non-governmental organisations, there is quite a good balance of what people want and further development.

Can you tell us about the commercial benefits involved in having a certification?
There is a big value in it. It reduces sustainability risks for companies, helps to establish monitoring, protects the license to operate and has commercial value. For example, the OEMs ask for more sustainable products or lower greenhouse gas emissions. They all have climate neutrality commitments in place and need to start delivering step-by-step now; they need to show what are the activities that they are engaged in and how those improve sustainability in the overall supply chain. Here, ISCC certification can be used.

How do you maintain transparency in certification as a third party?
There is an annual audit. The certificate is valid for one year and then there is a re-certification. The company needs to provide evidence in every re-certification that the rules are being followed. And if they are not, a renewal of the certificates is not possible.

We certainly have quality management and training for companies and the auditors as well, who conduct on-site audits. What’s more, we have our own integrity programmes, where we send out our own auditors. These auditors work for ISCC and double-check the performance of the companies and the work of third-party auditors. Therefore, this integrity programme is key. We have the website where all the certificates are being published and the entire standard is public.

Do you help companies improve their sustainability supply chain?
No, we don’t consult. At ISCC, we are not involved in supporting the companies in order to improve. We have the standard and we conduct the training for companies. The preparation for the audit is not where ISCC is involved; it’s independent from that type of work. And the certification bodies are not allowed to consult in parallel either. ISCC is the independent standard that is used to certify that companies fulfil the sustainability requirements.

What are the other segments that you cover in the tyre industry?
It’s the entire supply chain. Petrochemical industries, tyre manufacturers etc. can all be covered. This also includes everything from plantations to the end product in the tyre industry.

Which is the easiest and the toughest one to certify?
All elements of the supply chain need to be covered.

This can sometimes be a challenge in the beginning, so as to convince your suppliers and also get certified. But, in truth, we have more than 6,000 certificates under ISCC. So there are already a lot of players that have valid certificates, and now this is starting to move into the space of rubber and tyre manufacturers.

Can you tell us about your clients in the rubber and tyre industry?
We have requests from many tyre producers right now. Some producers are certified already. Plus, we have requests for carbon black and first requests for natural rubber. We see the number of requests increasing, and we do have first certificates and first registrations from tyre producers. So we expect this to rise further as the industry needs to show compliance with their sustainability and climate neutrality commitments.

We see the entire tyre industry now targeting sustainability. So how do you find more opportunities and what’s your plan to get more client support?
ISCC started to get really further engaged in the rubber and tyre industry about a year ago; the industry has started understanding the standards, participating in ISCC trainings, joining our stakeholder events etc. Therefore, step by step, they got to know ISCC better and what it could do for them. They have now even started to get involved and do certifications, including reaching out all the way to the cultivation of natural rubber.

Are you going to focus on the Asian market?
Yes. In fact, we already have a few hundred certificates in Malaysia, Indonesia and other countries in the region. These markets are truly important. Our other key markets are North America and Europe, while we are also active in Africa and South America.

We are, eventually, trying to do more and convince people to become certified, show compliance to sustainability requirements, engage in a continuous improvement approach to become more sustainable and then allow manufacturers to really make claims.  

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The J&K Bank presents JK Tyre Rally of Himalayas 2026, recognised as one of the nation's most gruelling rally raids, drew to a close on 30th September following over four days of fierce competition through the high-altitude terrains of Lahaul-Spiti and Zanskar. The event assembled 50 cars and 80 riders, all confronting some of India's most unforgiving mountain routes where precision, endurance and rapid decision-making faced constant scrutiny.

Beginning with a flag-off from Manali on 26 September 2026, participants navigated rugged stretches across Lahaul and Spiti, including the formidable Kunzum La crossing, notorious for its extreme conditions and demanding driving lines. Steep inclines, unpredictable weather and altitude-related pressures placed relentless strain on both machines and competitors, underscoring the rally's reputation for testing speed alongside consistency.

From the outset, Rajiv Yadav asserted his presence by seizing the lead on Day One, building momentum while monitoring strong local challenger Aaryak Rana, who remained a closely watched contender during the early phases. As technical demands intensified, holding position became as vital as pursuing outright pace, with the standings gradually revealing those capable of blending speed with reliability.

A pivotal 72-km competitive stage, later run in reverse, introduced a fresh challenge by forcing competitors to recalibrate braking points, turn-in timing and pacing strategies on familiar ground approached from the opposite direction. A significant setback occurred when Lakhpa Tsering, the 2015 Raid de Himalaya champion, withdrew his Toyota Hilux due to a technical fault, highlighting how mechanical dependability proves as crucial as driving prowess in such events.

Following the reverse stage, Daksh Gill shifted the rally's momentum by clinching the next two stages, starting with the reverse Losar to Gramphu run. The competition then advanced towards Shinku La, climbing beyond 16,500 feet, where control, traction and throttle precision mattered more than raw speed. Gill's capacity to sustain pace in these conditions proved instrumental in shaping the final outcome.

Moving into the Zanskar Valley, competitors encountered one of the event's most punishing phases, featuring a high-speed run across dramatic, desert-like high-altitude terrain. Gill once again displayed remarkable pace and consistency, reaching speeds of up to 200 kmph during the Zanskar stretch, a decisive segment that reinforced the necessity of combining outright speed with control in extreme conditions. The rally ultimately concluded in Padum, the headquarters of Zanskar district.

In the Moto category, Dhritimaan Singh emerged victorious, with Happy Verma as runner-up and Nitish Bharadwaj taking second runner-up. The Xtreme four-wheel class saw Rajiv Yadav and Rohit Gowda triumph, followed by Aaryak Rana and Aditya Sharma as runners-up, while Daksh Gill and Virender Kashyap secured second runner-up. Adventure four-wheel honours went to Soham Hazra and Nirav Mehta, with Santosh HM and Prakash Muthusamy as runners-up, Chandra Mouli and Sri Sakthi Kumar N in third and Sachin Mandhwani with Adhitya Anthony in fourth.

A prize distribution ceremony, featuring regional cultural performances, was attended by dignitaries including Arava Gopi Krishna, IAS, Administrative Secretary, Transport and Housing and Urban Development; Moses Kunzang, Staff Officer to Chief Secretary; Tsewang Dorjai, DGM-cum-Zonal Head, J&K Bank; Rigzin Sangdup, SP, Zanskar; Gulam Mohammed, CEO, Tourism Development Authority and ADDC Kargil; and Sarwar Shehzad, SDM, Zanskar.

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Hankook Tire has underscored the competitiveness of its winter and all-season portfolio through strong showings in two recent independent assessments. The Kinergy 4S 2 all-season tyre and the Winter i*cept RS 3 winter tyre both earned top-tier results in tests conducted by Auto Zeitung, in its issue 20/2026, and by the Automobilclub von Deutschland (AvD) in August 2026. The evaluations positioned the manufacturer’s products favourably across multiple performance and economic criteria.

In the Auto Zeitung all-season comparison, the Kinergy 4S 2 was assessed in the widely used 225/45 R 17 fitment and received the publication’s ‘Highly recommended’ designation. The tyre demonstrated notable composure on snow, with predictable cornering behaviour that testers described as making it a comfortable winter-capable option. It also excelled in aquaplaning resistance while cornering and recorded the quickest wet-handling lap on the circular track. On dry surfaces, the editorial team noted trouble-free behaviour at the limits, solid projected mileage, and strong value for money.

The AvD’s 2026 all-season test delivered similarly positive outcomes. Evaluated in size 225/50 R 17, the Kinergy 4S 2 claimed the best value-for-money ranking and performed strongly in the economy and environment category, earning 4.78 out of five stars overall. It achieved five stars each for mileage and fuel consumption, along with 4.9 stars for tyre wear. Against a twelve-tyre field, it also placed highly for aquaplaning and aquaplaning in curves, securing 4.20 stars in the final ranking and an overall ‘Good’ rating.

Separately, the Winter i*cept RS 3, tested in 225/45 R 17, received an overall ‘Good’ verdict with 4.26 stars in the AvD winter tyre evaluation. It performed particularly well in snow braking and traction, scoring 4.4 and 4.3 stars, and in aquaplaning in curves and straight-line aquaplaning, with 4.5 and 4.4 stars. The tyre also earned 4.43 stars across economic and environmental criteria, including 4.6 stars for weight and 4.5 stars each for fuel consumption, mileage and tyre wear.

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Bridgestone Corporation has confirmed it will become the exclusive tyre supplier for the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, the foremost all-electric motorsport series, beginning with the 2026/27 season. The announcement positions the Japanese manufacturer at the centre of a championship that has grown into a global platform for electric racing since its founding in 2014.

The forthcoming season will mark the competitive debut of the GEN4 car, a machine that redefines performance boundaries. With permanent active All-Wheel Drive, remarkable torque and acceleration, the GEN4 reaches 100 kmph in 1.8 seconds and attains a top speed of 335 kmph, while producing a peak output of 815 bhp. These figures make it the quickest and most potent Formula E vehicle ever built.

(From left) Emilio Tiberio (WEST CTO, Bridgestone), Jeff Dodds (CEO, Formula E), Yasuhiro Morita (Global CEO and Representative Executive Officer, Bridgestone), Marek Nawarecki (Senior Circuit Sport Director, FIA) and Hiroshi Imai (Executive Officer, CPO, Global Motorsports, Bridgestone)

To harness this performance, Bridgestone has engineered the POTENZA GEN4 tyre, designed to deliver high grip, broad adaptability across varied road and weather conditions and durability that sustains performance throughout a race. A second specification, the POTENZA GEN4 for TYPHOON TYRE, has also been created to ensure stable handling and strong grip when heavy rain leaves substantial water on the track.

Sustainability features prominently in the tyre programme. Each GEN4 tyre incorporates a 65 percent allocation of recycled and renewable materials, including carbon black recovered from pyrolysis oil of end-of-life tyres and silica derived from rice husks. Natural rubber is drawn from supply chains subject to Bridgestone due diligence, compliant with the GPSNR Assurance System and verified by an independent third party. Manufacturing uses 100 percent renewable energy for both heat and electricity, while low-carbon logistics help curb CO₂ emissions, with chemical recycling of end-of-life tyres among wider value-chain initiatives pursued alongside partners.

Formula E, governed by the FIA, has expanded rapidly through street races in cities such as Monaco, Sao Paulo, Sanya and Tokyo, alongside traditional circuits. Its digital engagement and programmes such as FIA Girls on Track have helped build a fan base exceeding 400 million. Committed to Making Progress Thrilling, the championship demonstrates that electric racing can drive measurable change rather than merely inspire.

The Bridgestone Formula E World Premiere, held in Rome on 30 September ahead of the 2026/27 season, drew representatives from the FIA, Formula E, teams, drivers, international media and influencers. Global CEO Yasuhiro Morita shared his enthusiasm for the entry, while Chief Product Officer for Global Motorsports Hiroshi Imai and WEST Chief Technology Officer Emilio Tiberio detailed the tyre technology behind the GEN4. The new Bridgestone motorsport logo and design elements appeared on the GEN4 tyres for the first time, and Bridgestone’s Technical Center Europe subsequently offered demonstrations of the production site and the development work of engineers and test drivers.

Bridgestone will supply tyres for all races in the 2026/27 Season and will also serve as the title sponsor for the following four races:

Yasuhiro Morita, Global CEO and Representative Executive Officer, Bridgestone Corporation, said, “Our return to the FIA World Championship is an exciting re-entry that embodies Bridgestone’s history of passion and innovation. Under our Mission ‘Serving Society with Superior Quality’, we have continued to push the limits with an insatiable quest for performance and a sense of responsibility for a better future through motorsport activities. On the supreme stage of Formula E, we will further evolve the balance of performance and sustainability and pioneer a new future for mobility. Together with organisers, teams, drivers, partners and fans, we look forward to creating a new future.”

Jeff Dodds, CEO, Formula E, said, “We are delighted to welcome Bridgestone to Formula E as our sole tyre supplier for the 2026/27 Season and beyond. Combining rich motorsport heritage with cutting-edge sustainable innovation, Bridgestone is a fitting partner as we embark on this exciting new era. The GEN4 car represents the pinnacle of sustainable motorsport design, and we look forward to working with Bridgestone as we continue to redefine electric racing and lead the race for progress both on and off the track.”

Marek Nawarecki, Senior Circuit Sport Director, FIA, said, “Bridgestone’s appointment as the sole tyre supplier for the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship marks an exciting new chapter as we enter the GEN4 era. The tyres will play a key role in delivering the performance and efficiency expected from this new generation of Formula E cars. Building on the collaboration already established during the development of the GEN4 tyres, we look forward to continuing this work with Bridgestone, Formula E and the teams to deliver tyres that meet the demanding requirements of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship and contribute to close, competitive racing for drivers and fans.”

Hiroshi Imai, Executive Officer, CPO, Global Motorsports, Bridgestone Corporation, said, “We are truly delighted to showcase Bridgestone’s technology and passion to the world on the new stage of Formula E. In developing POTENZA GEN4, we pushed the limits of our technology to fully unlock the overwhelming performance of GEN4. In particular, the newly introduced POTENZA GEN4 for TYPHOON TYRE represents a symbolic evolution for the GEN4 era, enabling drivers to confidently take on even wet conditions. By supporting the dramatically evolved GEN4 from the ground up, we are also advancing initiatives towards carbon neutrality and resource circulation, striving to realise sustainable motorsport. We will continue to deliver the superior quality to circuits around the world, bringing new excitement and inspiration to racing fans worldwide.”

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Kumho Tire USA celebrated a strong result at Round Seven of the Formula DRIFT PRO Championship, where KUMHO driver Jack Shanahan drove his E82 BMW to a third-place finish at The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on KUMHO Ecsta V730 tyres. The Las Vegas podium was Shanahan’s third of the season, following a third-place result at the Streets of Long Beach opener and a second-place finish at Round Four in Stafford Springs, Connecticut.

After qualifying sixth, Shanahan advanced through the main competition by defeating Jhonnattan Castro in the Top 32, Ryan Tuerck in the Top 16 and Chris Forsberg in the Great 8. In the Final 4, he faced his younger brother, Conor, in a close battle that ended when Jack dropped two tyres off course in Zone 4. Despite the narrow loss, he remains fourth in the standings with one round left in Long Beach, California, on 23–24 October.

The KUMHO Ecsta V730 is an extreme-performance summer tyre designed for exceptional grip, responsiveness and consistency under demanding track conditions, making it a proven option for competitive motorsports and enthusiast drivers.

Ed Cho, CEO, Kumho Tire USA, said, "Jack's performance this season continues to demonstrate not only the determination and skill of our drivers but also the reliability of KUMHO tyres. In high-pressure situations, our drivers can rely on KUMHO tyres to deliver the traction, responsiveness and control they need to compete at their best."

Shanahan said, "It's been an exciting season, and I'm proud to have secured another podium finish with the consistent performance of the KUMHO Ecsta V730 tyres. The team and I are looking forward to carrying this momentum into the final round next month and fight for the Championship podium."

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