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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Hankook’s iON Race tyre played a defining role in the unpredictable third round of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship in Miami. For this event, a new bespoke circuit configuration at the Miami International Autodrome presented fresh challenges with its temporary, non-uniform surface. These demands were intensified by a historic first: a wet-weather Miami E-Prix. As grip levels shifted dramatically from the initial safety car period onward, the tyre’s predictable warm-up behaviour and controlled thermal characteristics provided teams with a stable platform. This consistency was vital for managing the evolving conditions, allowing for strategic adaptation without sacrificing balance or race-long efficiency.

The race itself unfolded as a closely fought contest, ultimately won by Jaguar TCS Racing's Mitch Evans, who strengthened his championship position. Beyond supplying crucial performance on-track, Hankook engaged directly with the festival atmosphere of the Formula E weekend. The brand operated a dedicated Fan Village where attendees could explore the iON road tyre range and interact with displays highlighting Hankook’s philosophy and advancements in EV-specific tyre technology.

This Miami round, with its unique configuration and variable weather, served as a valuable proving ground. The insights gained from the iON Race tyre’s performance under such distinct pressures directly contribute to the ongoing development of Hankook’s broader electric vehicle tyre portfolio. With the Miami chapter complete, the championship's focus now shifts to the contrasting high-speed challenge of the Jeddah Corniche Circuit in Saudi Arabia.

Manfred Sandbichler, Senior Director, Hankook Motorsport, said, “Miami was a strong example of how important predictable tyre behaviour is on a newly introduced Formula E layout at an iconic venue. As grip levels evolved throughout the weekend, the iON Race delivered the stability and consistency required to support competitive racing under changing conditions.”

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King Willem-Alexander inaugurated what Circtec calls Europe’s largest and most advanced chemical recycling facility for end-of-life tyres, marking the start of operations at the company’s Delfzijl plant in the Netherlands’ northern chemical cluster.

The facility, whose investment was announced in May 2024, has completed construction and commissioning of its first phase and is now processing 50,000 tonnes of waste tyres a year. During the ceremony, the King symbolically began operations by feeding tyre material into Circtec’s proprietary CIFR pyrolysis reactor. The event was attended by the Netherlands’ Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Climate and Green Growth, along with the British Ambassador to the Netherlands.

Circtec’s technology converts discarded tyres into a slate of products including a marine fuel marketed as HUPA, circular naphtha for use in plastics and chemicals and recovered carbon black for reuse in tyres, rubber and plastics. The plant can also supply tyre pyrolysis oil to petrochemical and refining customers as a lower-carbon feedstock.

The Delfzijl project follows more than 15 years of technology and product development by the company. At current capacity, the plant is expected to process roughly 6 percent of Europe’s annual waste tyre stream. More than half of Europe’s end-of-life tyres are still burned in cement kilns or exported to Asia for disposal, according to Circtec.

An ISO-standard life cycle assessment commissioned by the company indicates the plant could cut greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to about 3 percent of the Dutch chemical industry’s national emissions once the site reaches full scale.

Circtec plans to begin construction of a second phase later this year, expanding capacity in modules to a total of 200,000 tonnes of tyres a year.

The company has secured long-term offtake agreements for its entire output. Birla Carbon will take the recovered carbon black for its Continua de-carbonisation product line, while British Petroleum has contracted volumes of the marine fuel, circular naphtha and tyre pyrolysis oil.

The project is backed by Novo Holdings and A.P. Moller Holding, which closed a Euro 150 million funding round for Circtec in 2024. The company is planning additional plants globally, both as owner-operator projects and through joint-venture licensing.

During the visit, the King toured the facility and met employees as well as representatives from British Petroleum, Birla Carbon and Dutch tyre recycling body RecyBEM. Discussions also involved local and regional authorities on the plant’s economic and environmental role in the Groningen region.

Commenting on the occassion, Circtec Chief Executive Officer Allen Timpany said, “Circtec now moves forward to operate the first phase of this plant and to expand it to its full designed and permitted size. Let us work together to scale this success further. So that this plant may inspire others, here in the Netherlands and far beyond, to rethink waste, reimagine value, and to keep moving forward, tenaciously, innovatively, and with strategic vision toward a sustainable and resilient industrial future”.

Speaking during the inaugural ceremony, Netherlands Deputy Minister and Minister of Climate and Green Growth Sophie Hermans said, "What we see here at Circtec is Green Growth at its best. Every year, 180,000 tonnes of used car tyres will be given a second life as a high-quality raw material. That is circular economy on an industrial scale. This factory shows that we can and want to become more sustainable in the Netherlands and dare to build new, future-proof industry. Good for our climate, good for our economy and good for the earning capacity of the Netherlands."

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European startup competition LOOP THE TYRE 2026 is now actively seeking innovations to fundamentally reshape the tyre industry’s future. The initiative from the Alliance for the Future of Tyres (AZuR) challenges entrepreneurs, researchers and students to develop circular economy solutions that ensure end-of-life tyres become a source for new materials rather than waste. The application window is open until 15 May 2026.

The programme specifically targets concepts that maintain the value of critical raw materials like rubber, steel and carbon black in continuous loops. Desired innovations span a broad spectrum, from advanced retreading, repair technologies and sustainable material alternatives to novel recycling processes and digital systems for tyre lifecycle management. The goal is to support ideas that demonstrably reduce emissions, minimise resource consumption and keep products in use longer.

Winning entrants stand to gain significant momentum for their projects. Three selected concepts will each be awarded EUR 6,000 in prize funding. Beyond financial support, winners receive two years of complimentary partnership within AZuR, offering direct access to its network of over 80 industry and scientific partners. This is coupled with prominent presentation opportunities at THE TIRE COLOGNE 2026 trade fair, dedicated media coverage and inclusion in expert forums – a comprehensive package designed to transform prototypes into market-ready solutions.

Eligibility extends to early-stage startups, academic teams and individual innovators from fields such as environmental technology, engineering, IT and design. Applicants must submit a detailed project description or pitch deck by the deadline for evaluation by a jury of industry and research experts. As an example of the potential impact, AZuR cites the success of past participant BEAR Machines, which developed a tyre regrooving system that extends product life and cuts CO₂ emissions with support from the alliance’s network.

Ultimately, LOOP THE TYRE 2026 is conceived as a catalyst for systemic change. By bridging the gap between groundbreaking ideas and established industry players, AZuR aims to accelerate the transition from a linear disposal model to a closed-loop ecosystem where every tyre contributes to a sustainable cycle of reuse and recovery.

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TyresNmore, RPG Group’s auto-tech commerce platform, has officially entered the offline retail space with the inauguration of its inaugural physical experience centre in Bengaluru’s Kasavanahalli area. This strategic move extends the brand's commitment to convenience, transparency and trust into a tangible, customer-focused environment. The centre is designed to meet the needs of drivers seeking personalised, efficient and comfortable service, providing a modern retail setting for planned vehicle maintenance.

Customers at the new facility can explore a comprehensive selection of products from leading brands. This includes tyres from major manufacturers such as CEAT, Apollo and Goodyear, batteries from Amaron and Exide, alongside premium alloy wheels from brands like Neo. This curated assortment ensures that every vehicle owner can find the right fit for their specific requirements.

Beyond product sales, the centre delivers advanced automotive services performed by expert technicians. Utilising high-accuracy, state-of-the-art equipment, the outlet offers precision wheel alignment, road force balancing and nitrogen tyre inflation. These technical services aim to enhance driving safety, comfort and overall vehicle longevity, contributing to a superior ownership experience.

Fundamentally, the establishment of this experience centre underscores TyresNmore’s dedication to building a robust, omnichannel service ecosystem. By integrating expert consultation, professional care and precision automotive solutions under one roof, the brand reinforces its promise of reliability and excellence, ensuring customers receive seamless and trustworthy support for all their automotive needs.

Rakesh Tatikonda, CEO, TyresNmore, said, “Our mission has always been to transform automotive aftercare in India by offering seamless, tech-driven, end-to-end mobility solutions delivered with trust, transparency and convenience. Having established ourselves as a leader in doorstep fitments via our online platform, moving into physical retail is a natural evolution to enhance customer experience. This channel diversification allows us to offer premium services and accessories that require a specialised touchpoint for car & bike enthusiasts. Bengaluru has always been a key market for us, and this experience centre allows us to bring our 'customer-first' philosophy into a physical space, delivering precision and transparency at every step.”

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