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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Sri Trang Group, the world’s largest fully integrated natural rubber company and the parent organisation of Sri Trang Agro-Industry Public Company Limited (STA) and Sri Trang Gloves (Thailand) Public Company Limited (STGT), concluded its flagship ‘One Sri Trang CG Day 2026’ initiative, built on the premise that strong governance underpins sustainability. The hybrid programme combined online participation with interactive training, drawing over 1,070 attendees, including directors, executives, staff and factory workers nationwide. Artificial intelligence made the material more engaging and accessible. Topics spanned business ethics, anti-corruption compliance, conflict-of-interest management, inside information handling and complaint procedures – framed as the bedrock of transparent operations that earn stakeholder trust.

Direction came from STA Executive Director Vitchaphol Sincharoenkul and STGT Chief Executive Officer Jarinya Jirojkul, who outlined the Group's governance policies and strategic priorities. Those policies provide guardrails for transparency, risk prevention, traceability and sustainable expansion, consistent with the organisation's vision and commercial goals. Both stressed that a culture of integrity and responsibility, grounded in Sri Trang's core values, buffers against pressures ranging from economic and technological disruption to natural disasters and competitive threats.

Rather than conventional lectures, organisers chose edutainment. A two-part miniseries, ‘The Domino Effect’, walked participants through real-world dilemmas in procurement, gift-giving and business hospitality, illustrating how conflicts of interest, misuse of inside information and whistleblowing cascade into consequences. AI-generated content added another layer, with virtual characters and simulated videos addressing code-of-conduct compliance, corruption, whistleblowing and complaint investigations. These dramatised situations helped staff grasp the fallout of poor decisions and recognise the right course of action, showing how AI can strengthen governance culture and broaden learning participation.

An interactive live quiz and discussion segment gave participants room to unpack scenarios and draw lessons on ethical decision-making, tied to the Group's code of business conduct and anti-corruption policy. The session reinforced the expectation that gifts be declined on all festive occasions and highlighted whistleblowing channels designed to safeguard reporters and keep identities confidential. Beyond the event, Sri Trang Group plans to continue the programme via its online self-learning platform, targeting full completion of refresher training and knowledge assessments within a month.

The effort dovetails with external benchmarks, including requirements of Thailand's Private Sector Collective Action Against Corruption, notably its top three-star CAC Change Agent status, alongside domestic and international ESG assessment standards. By tying its internal training push to these frameworks, Sri Trang Group signals that governance is not a one-off exercise but an ongoing commitment woven into how the organisation operates.

Highlighting the importance of corporate governance in global trade, Sincharoenkul said, “Transparency and good corporate governance are fundamental to business credibility, particularly within global supply chains, where stakeholders increasingly priorities raw material origins, traceability and responsible operations. Sri Trang Group is therefore committed to raising operational standards across every process so that our business partners, customers and stakeholders worldwide can be confident that every product comes from a transparent, traceable supply chain that supports our shared sustainable growth.”

Elaborating on the importance of instilling ethical awareness among employees, Jirojkul said, “Building confidence among customers worldwide depends on more than product quality. It also depends on the integrity, responsibility and commitment of every employee to doing what is right. STGT therefore prioritises embedding a corporate governance mindset into everyday work, because every action we take affects the trust that customers and stakeholders place in our organisation. When everyone upholds the same principles, we can deliver both quality products and lasting confidence to customers around the world.”

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TyreSafe, UK’s leading tyre safety charity, has joined forces with Wise in a newly announced partnership designed to reinforce the relationship between tyre safety, responsible workforce management and regulatory compliance. The collaboration draws on TyreSafe's specialised knowledge of tyre safety alongside Wise's track record in assisting organisations that manage compliant self-employed and subcontracted workforces.

The arrangement emerges amid continuing growth in last-mile delivery and subcontracted labour, where drivers often operate under demanding schedules, travel between numerous locations and face considerable time pressure. Those behind the partnership emphasise that safety needs to be embedded within everyday working practices, rather than treated as a matter to be resolved only after an incident or problem has already occurred.

Compliance for businesses engaging self-employed or subcontracted workers stretches from onboarding and verification through to ongoing workforce management. Nevertheless, responsible management involves considerably more than documentation and procedures. When vehicles are central to a worker's role, organisations must also establish whether those vehicles remain safe, roadworthy and adequately maintained. Tyres represent the sole point of contact between a vehicle and the road surface, making them vital to safety, yet they can be neglected when drivers and businesses concentrate on completing deliveries, attending appointments or meeting tight schedules.

Under TyreSafe's ACT framework, preventative checks are organised around three areas: air pressure, condition and tread. Wise serves sectors such as logistics, last-mile delivery and construction, having onboarded over 280,000 subcontractors, with more than 2,500 companies using its platform. Delivery drivers complete multiple drops and accumulate significant mileage, while construction subcontractors regularly meet kerbs, rough surfaces, debris and shifting site conditions, placing added strain on vehicles and their tyres. Both organisations believe problems are best tackled before they escalate into incidents, and the partnership will encourage businesses and drivers to view safe working conditions as an integral part of responsible workforce management.

Stuart Lovatt, Chairman, TyreSafe, said, “We are delighted to be working with Wise because there is a natural connection between what we both want to achieve. Businesses have a responsibility to make sure the people working for them are properly supported, and that includes creating the conditions for them to work safely. For drivers, tyres are fundamental to that safety. We know that professional and last-mile drivers can be working under considerable time pressure, travelling between multiple locations and completing demanding delivery schedules. That makes preventative tyre checks even more important.

“A few minutes spent checking air pressure, condition and tread can identify a problem before it becomes a breakdown, a delay or, more seriously, a road safety risk. This partnership gives us an opportunity to connect tyre safety with the wider conversation about responsible workforce management and to reach businesses and drivers who have a vital role to play in keeping our roads safe.”

Trevor Ruane, Accounts Director, Wise, said, “At Wise, our mission is simple: we improve self-employment by taking away the unnecessary stress, paperwork and compliance risk that businesses and subcontractors face. But compliance is about more than documents and processes. For businesses operating mobile workforces, responsible management also means thinking about the safety of the people doing the work and the vehicles they rely on every day.

“That is why our partnership with TyreSafe is so important. Tyre safety is a practical, everyday issue for drivers and businesses, particularly in logistics, last-mile delivery and construction, where people are constantly on the move and working to demanding schedules. We are pleased to bring TyreSafe’s expertise into that wider conversation and help reinforce the message that prevention, preparation and responsible management should be part of the working day.”

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The Tire Industry Project (TIP), a voluntary CEO-driven initiative representing 10 of the world’s largest tyre manufacturers, has released its annual key performance indicators report. Titled ‘Sustainability Driven: Key Performance Indicators for TIP Members 2021–2025’, the publication tracks member progress between 2021 and 2025 against 16 environmental, social and governance measures. These indicators span seven pathways within TIP’s Sector SDG Roadmap, which outlines the tyre industry’s contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Decarbonisation efforts showed notable gains, with emissions intensity falling 4.9 percent since 2024 and 29.2 percent since 2021, while renewable electricity procurement rose to 60.5 percent, up 6.5 percent year-on-year. Water efficiency also improved, as total withdrawals dropped 5.7 percent from 2024 to 2025 and withdrawals from water-stressed areas fell 10.9 percent over the same period. Since 2021, these figures represent reductions of 18.4 percent and 35.2 percent, respectively. On responsible natural rubber sourcing, all members continued reporting their procurement efforts to the Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber (GPSNR) and 90 percent independently implemented responsible sourcing policies across all tyre production materials. The share of members holding validated science-based targets climbed to 90 percent from 80 percent in 2024.

The report further highlights TIP’s work strengthening the evidence base on tyre and road wear particles (TRWP). In 2025, TIP funded five new research projects and supported eight scientific paper publications, double the previous year’s total. By 2025, 36 TIP-supported TRWP research publications existed alongside 796 citations of TIP-supported research, a 14 percent increase from 2024. Grants totalling USD 2 million were committed through TIP’s first Open Call for Projects, a global initiative accelerating independent research. TIP also hosted its second Tire Emissions Research Conference with partner MIT in September 2025, with a third edition scheduled for Cambridge in December 2026.

Regarding tyre circularity, the report notes several developments, including publication of the ELT Toolkit 2.0, the Interactive ELT Data Map and ongoing PCR development work, all supporting stakeholders across the tyre value chain. TIP’s KPI reporting offers policymakers, regulators, industry partners and other stakeholders a transparent view of sector-level sustainability trends, priorities and areas requiring continued collaboration.

Dr How Yong Ng, Adjunct Professor at the National University of Singapore and a member of TIP’s Assurance Group, said, “Transparency and collaboration are at the heart of TIP’s efforts to foster sustainability innovation in the tyre sector. This KPI report demonstrates how TIP members are translating their commitments into measurable results and driving meaningful advancement across the tyre value chain. TIP has been monitoring progress against the SDGs for a decade, and it is encouraging to see how far members have come.”

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Pirelli is all set to conclude its tenure as the Official Tyre Supplier to the FIM Superbike World Championship at the Pirelli Spanish Round in Jerez de la Frontera. This weekend’s event not only wraps up a 2026 season dominated by Nicolò Bulega and Ducati but also ends a 23-season partnership that began in 2004. The journey has been marked by technological innovation, continuous development, close collaboration with teams and manufacturers and numerous sporting milestones.

For the Andalusian circuit, whose low-abrasion asphalt suits softer compounds, Pirelli has confirmed the softest rear options, already used at Estoril. WorldSBK riders will have the supersoft SCX and soft SC0 for practice, qualifying and races. The SCX, introduced last year as the E0126 development tyre, proved highly effective, helping Bulega claim all three race wins. The SC0 offers a valid alternative in cooler temperatures. The extrasoft SCQ, Pirelli’s softest tyre, will also be available for qualifying and potentially Sunday morning’s Superpole Race.

At the front, the soft SC1 and medium SC2 are both competitive at Jerez, as demonstrated in 2025 when Bulega took pole with the SC1 and won both full-length races with the SC2, while using the E0672 soft development tyre in the Superpole Race. Wet conditions will be covered by DIABLO Wet intermediate and DIABLO Rain tyres for both front and rear. For the WorldSSP finale, rear choices are the SCX supersoft and SC0 soft, with SC1 soft and SC2 medium at the front.

The Pirelli Spanish Round will decide the last two titles. In the debut FIM World Sportbike Championship, Spaniard David Salvador (Kawasaki) leads compatriot and fellow Kawasaki rider Xavi Artigas by 12 points, with two races and 50 points remaining. In the FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship, Maria Herrera holds a 44-point advantage over fellow Spaniard Beatriz Neila. Both categories use Pirelli DIABLO Superbike tyres with the SC1 compound front and rear.

Giorgio Barbier, Pirelli Motorcycle Racing Director, said, “The Pirelli Spanish Round will mark the final chapter in the long journey that began in 2004, when Pirelli joined the FIM Superbike World Championship as Official Tyre Supplier. Over the years, we have built a partnership that has seen us become not just a supplier but an active and strategic partner, contributing to the growth and development of the Championship. Before saying our final goodbyes, however, we still have one last round ahead of us, which we want to approach with the same determination and the aim of bringing a particularly positive season to the best possible conclusion. The results achieved, with new records set at virtually every circuit and in a wide variety of conditions, have gone hand in hand with intensive development work, carried out alongside the teams right up to the final race. For this last event, we have chosen to retain the softest rear options, the extrasoft SCQ and supersoft SCX, which have been used throughout much of the season. The extensive data collected over the years at Jerez, both during races and in testing, confirms that these are the most effective options for tackling a circuit characterised by low-abrasion asphalt.”

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