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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Linglong Tire has confirmed its continued role as the Official Tyre Partner of Chelsea Football Club for the 2026/2027 campaign, a season that commenced with a 3-2 away victory for the Blues over Fulham FC. The renewed agreement ensures the brand’s prominent visibility throughout the upcoming fixtures.

As a Global Tyre Partner, Linglong’s branding will feature extensively on digital perimeter boards at Stamford Bridge during all Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup home matches, alongside additional placements on static partner boards and the club’s official website. The comprehensive sponsorship package also includes regular match tickets, VIP hospitality allocations, co-branding rights and deep integration into club media content. Furthermore, the partnership extends to Chelsea Women’s home games, with joint digital activations designed to strengthen fan engagement.

Initial social media contests on Linglong’s European channels have already launched, with winners set to attend the upcoming home fixture against Brighton & Hove Albion. Founded in 1905, Chelsea stands as one of England’s most historic and decorated clubs, boasting over 30 major trophies, including six league titles, two UEFA Champions League crowns and a FIFA Club World Cup victory, underscoring the prestige of Linglong’s ongoing association.

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Italian bicycle tyre manufacturer Vittoria has solidified its prominent status in mountain biking by securing a role as an Official Partner of Val di Sole Bikeland for the 2026 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships. The prestigious five-day competition is being held from 26 to 30 August 2026 at the Daolasa Arena in Commezzadura, a venue renowned as one of the sport’s most iconic global destinations.

The world championships will feature a comprehensive programme of elite racing, with world titles and the coveted rainbow jerseys on the line across multiple disciplines. Events will include Cross-country Olympic, Cross-country Short Track, the Team Relay, Downhill and E-MTB Cross-country, drawing the planet’s top riders to the Trentino valley for a week of high-stakes competition.

Beyond its partnership with the event, Vittoria’s deep-rooted commitment to the sport is evidenced by its long-term support of prominent national cycling federations. The brand currently backs the Italian Cycling Federation, USA Cycling, the Royal Dutch Cycling Union and the Japan Professional Cyclist Association, underlining its dedication to fostering mountain biking at the elite level. With these four national bodies and a roster of world-class athletes relying on its products, Vittoria is poised to be a central figure throughout the championships.

At the venue, Vittoria will operate a dedicated exhibition space in the heart of the action, offering athletes, media, industry insiders and fans a chance to explore its latest technological innovations and view the equipment used by top competitors. This presence reflects Vittoria’s enduring history in international racing and its ongoing investment in developing high-performance tyres and accessories for cyclists of all levels, from professional racers to dedicated amateurs across every cycling discipline.

Stijn Vriends, Chairman & CEO, Vittoria, said, "Being part of the 2026 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships while also supporting some of the world's leading national cycling federations is a tremendous source of pride for us. Val di Sole is one of the true landmarks of international mountain biking and the perfect stage to celebrate our passion for this sport together with athletes, partners and fans from around the world."

Fabio Sacco, General Manager of Apt Val di Sole and Grandi Eventi Val di Sole, said, “The presence of an international brand such as Vittoria alongside the World Championships represents an important recognition for Val di Sole and for the work we have been carrying out for many years to promote and develop mountain biking. Collaborating with leading companies in the industry that share our vision and passion for this sport further strengthens the value of an event that will put Val di Sole and Trentino in the global spotlight. We are proud to welcome Vittoria to Daolasa di Commezzadura and to offer athletes, teams and fans an unforgettable experience in a region where mountain biking has become a fundamental part of its identity.”

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DUNLOP (company name: Sumitomo Rubber Industries) has formalised a collaborative research initiative in Bangkok, Thailand, under the Hevea Research Platform in Partnership. Signed on 7 August 2026, the joint agreement brings together the Rubber Authority of Thailand, the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development and two Thai academic institutions, Khon Kaen University and Kasetsart University.

The project will examine the impact of reduced-frequency latex collection, known as low-frequency tapping systems, on the material properties and internal structural integrity of natural rubber. The research will also evaluate practical obstacles farmers encounter when transitioning to these methods, alongside enabling factors for broader uptake. The goal is to accelerate the company's commitment to sustainable raw material sourcing.

Southeast Asian rubber producers face volatile prices, climatic shifts and a critical deficit of plantation labour. Thailand, in particular, suffers from an acute shortage of skilled tappers, forcing smallholders to rely on an ageing workforce and migrant labourers. The low-frequency approach directly addresses this constraint by reducing collection frequency, offering a potential solution to a regional challenge.

Prior investigations have shown that tapping every three days, combined with a plant growth regulator, can maintain productivity and quality comparable to the conventional two-day interval. However, extended cycles of 4, 6 or 10 days remain poorly understood regarding rubber characteristics. Socioeconomic ramifications, including cost structures and physical workload, also require deeper exploration.

This project will systematically assess technical outcomes of various tapping frequencies and human dimensions of their implementation. Insights will support Sumitomo Rubber Industries' broader strategy, which pursues productivity gains through tissue culture technology for seedlings and improvements in processing facility conditions, ensuring a resilient and responsible supply chain.

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Radar Tires introduced its newest all-terrain offerings, the Renegade A/T and Renegade A/T Trail, during an exclusive gathering held from 24th to 27th June 2026 in northern Portugal’s Gerês region, near Peneda-Gerês National Park. The event united distributors from North and South America for an immersive introduction to the flagship products against a landscape blending performance driving with scenic exploration.

Across four days, participants navigated mountain roads, rocky sections, gravel paths and shifting terrain, evaluating on-road composure and off-road resilience. The location carries deep motorsport significance, hosting historic Rally de Portugal stages like Vieira do Minho and Fafe, providing a fitting atmosphere for an event centred on capability and partnership.

Technical seminars led by R&D head Olli Seppälä offered distributors insight into the engineering behind the new models. President and CEO G S Sareen outlined the company’s strategic vision, while recreational activities reinforced the organisation’s commitment to strong relationships alongside product excellence.

The Radar Renegade A/T is a Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake certified tyre for SUVs and light trucks, combining aggressive traction with stable road manners. Dense siping, stone ejectors, side lugs and a fortified sidewall deliver wet grip and resistance to cuts and chips while minimising puncture risks. It will be offered in 89 sizes from 15- to 24-inch rims, with 44 currently available and 45 more in Q3 2026.

The Renegade A/T Trail is engineered for crossovers and SUVs, blending off-road capability with everyday comfort. It features a Trail King tread, temperature-adaptive compound, and Tri-Armor System with stone ejectors and tie bars. It comes in 42 sizes from 15 to 22 inches, with 19 ready now and 23 debuting in Q3 2026.

Both ranges include a Road Hazard Warranty and 30-Day Guarantee. P-metric sizes carry a 55,000-mile treadwear warranty, while LT sizes have 50,000 miles. Shared technologies like the Circle of Tread Life indicator and reinforced sidewalls enhance durability and personalisation, underscoring Radar Tires’ commitment to innovation and partnership.

G S Sareen, President and CEO, Radar Tires, said, "We are very confident in our new flagship range of products. We've tested them rigorously against leading premium brands, and the results speak for themselves. The Renegade A/T and A/T Trail deliver top-tier performance and durability but come without the hefty price tag, reinforcing our mission of providing premium accessibility to drivers the world over."

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