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 TIRE COLOGNE 2026 commences tomorrow, marking the premier gathering for the global tyre and wheel sector. The opening day promises a dense schedule of industry-shaping events, from political discussions to technical innovations, as the trade fair becomes the central hub for professionals seeking solutions to contemporary market challenges.

A total of 388 exhibitors representing 34 countries will showcase products and services across the entire value chain. The first day alone features three press conferences addressing current and future industry hurdles. Attendees can expect a mix of political impulses, international conferences, practical demonstrations and extensive networking opportunities designed to foster collaboration.

Key highlights begin with a morning session on North Rhine-Westphalia’s role as a leader in tyre circular economy, where Environment and Transport Minister Oliver Krischer will present the ‘Roadmap Tyre Circular Economy North Rhine-Westphalia 2030’ alongside real-world research examples. Later, the Global OTR Conference will focus on safety and efficiency for off-the-road tyres, while the ‘Runderneuert’ initiative at the AZuR Netzwerk pavilion demonstrates how modern retreading combines economic benefits with sustainable cycles.

Additional first-day attractions include the debut of Vipal V SUPER HYBRID remoulding technology on the SERVICE STAGE, engineered for varied usage conditions to improve mileage and reduce operating costs. Visitors can also participate in the WALK OF SERVICES, exploring workshop concepts throughout the fair area for chances to win daily prizes from sponsors including Bartec, Corghi, ALCAR and ALZURA based on station visits.

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World Environment Day should not only remind us about the environmental challenges we face today but also make us realise how urgently we need to change the way we produce, consume and manage waste across industries and communities. For decades, waste has continued to accumulate faster than our ability to process it responsibly, which has directly impacted our ecosystems, natural resources, public health and the future of coming generations. The reality is that environmental sustainability can no longer remain limited to discussions, annual reports or long-term commitments because the planet needs immediate and measurable action.

One of the biggest changes we need today is a shift in mindset where waste is no longer viewed as something to discard but as a resource that holds economic and environmental value when managed through the right systems and technologies. Countries across the world are moving towards circular economy models because they understand that sustainable growth will only be possible when industries reduce landfill dependency, recover value from waste and invest in cleaner processes that protect the environment while supporting economic progress.

India has made significant progress in building awareness around sustainability, recycling and environmental responsibility over the last decade, and government is leaving no stone unturned to formalise this sector in terms of infrastructure, technology adoption, policy implementation and collective participation.

To support the government’s initiative, we all must work together with greater accountability to strengthen recycling ecosystems, encourage responsible waste management practices and create long-term environmental impact through real execution rather than temporary solutions.

As someone who has spent years working closely with the recycling industry, I strongly believe that technology will play one of the most critical roles in solving future environmental challenges because efficient recycling systems can help recover valuable resources, reduce pollution, lower landfill burden and conserve energy for a more sustainable future. This belief is also deeply connected to our motto, ‘Committed to Create a Green Future’, which reflects the responsibility we all share towards protecting the environment through meaningful and long-term action. However, technology alone cannot create change unless it is supported by intent, awareness and collective responsibility.

On this World Environment Day, let us move beyond conversations and take meaningful steps towards building a cleaner, greener and more sustainable planet where environmental progress is driven by action, innovation and responsibility for future generations.

Jignesh Kundaria
Director and CEO, Fornnax

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TyreSafe has issued an urgent appeal for motorcyclists to prioritise tyre maintenance as new government data shows a worrying rise in rider deaths. The safety organisation is backing the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s Operation Apex, a road safety initiative running from 1 to 14 June.

According to provisional casualty figures from the Department for Transport, motorcycle users recorded the largest percentage increase in fatalities among all major road user groups across Great Britain. An estimated 384 riders lost their lives in 2025, representing a 13 percent rise compared to the previous year and marking the second consecutive annual increase.

Although motorcyclists make up a small fraction of overall traffic, they remain heavily overrepresented in serious and fatal collision statistics. In response, TyreSafe is using Operation Apex to promote a simple pre-ride tyre check known as ACT, which covers air pressure, condition and tread depth.

Riders are advised to check air pressure when tyres are cold using an accurate gauge and to follow manufacturer recommendations, adjusting for luggage or passengers. Visual inspections before every ride should look for cuts, bulges, embedded objects, uneven wear or signs of ageing. For tread depth, motorcycles over 50 cc require a minimum of one millimetre across the central three quarters of the tyre, while smaller mopeds need all original grooves clearly visible.

TyreSafe recommends performing these checks before each journey, especially after storage, bad weather or long trips. The organisation has released free resources including a guide, leaflet, poster, videos and social media assets to support Operation Apex and encourage safer riding habits.

These materials are available for riders, instructors and safety groups to download from the TyreSafe website throughout June. The initiative aims to reduce preventable incidents by helping motorcyclists recognise warning signs and maintain their tyres properly.

Stuart Lovatt, Chair of TyreSafe, said, “The latest casualty figures are a stark reminder that riders remain among the most vulnerable people on our roads. For many riders, motorcycles and scooters provide freedom, independence and essential transport – but that freedom depends on machines being safe, sustainable and roadworthy. Tyres are too often overlooked, yet they play a critical role in how a motorcycle brakes, corners and responds in an emergency.

“Our message during Operation Apex is simple: ACT before every ride by checking Air pressure, Condition and Tread. A few moments spent checking tyres can make a significant difference to safety. Tyre safety should become part of every rider’s routine, just like checking fuel or putting on protective equipment. ACT is easy to remember and empowers riders to take control of their own safety before setting off. Tyre safety is not about fear – it is about preparation. You cannot control every hazard on the road, but you can control whether your motorcycle is ready to respond safely when the unexpected happens.”

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The Goodyear Blimp has redefined its century-long legacy of hovering over major pop culture moments by hosting a first-of-its-kind music festival inside an airship hangar. Dubbed BANGR at the HANGR, the event marked the brand’s second annual birthday celebration, transforming the massive space into a high-energy bash.

Festivalgoers experienced a series of exclusive attractions, including a ride aboard the Wingfoot One blimp itself. A headlining DJ set from Noizu was delivered from a stage built with Goodyear tyres, while guests also browsed signature merchandise and attended an after-party in a uniquely blimp-worthy atmosphere.

The event featured an eclectic roster of attendees, from nostalgic mascots to local sports icons. Participants included the Care Bears, puppies from Kind Paw Rescue wearing Fi GPS wearables, the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile, an inflatable Flo from Progressive, Rainforest Cafe’s Cha! Cha! The Tree Frog, Geoffrey from Toys“R”Us and Vita Coco’s Coco Man.

Swensons Drive-In also made an appearance, alongside Ohio-based sports mascots such as Chomps from the Cleveland Browns, Flash from Kent State University and Zippy from the University of Akron. From chaotic dance floor moments to oversized photo opportunities, the birthday celebration was a blend of fun and charm as intended by the high-flying guest of honour.

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