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 German Rubber Industry Association (wdk) has released its third-quarter member survey for 2026, indicating a slight easing of anxieties regarding raw material availability. Despite this modest improvement in sentiment, the sector continues to grapple with persistently high costs, with no significant financial respite on the horizon.

wdk Chief Economist Michael Berthel addressed the findings, noting that the acute fears of immediate supply bottlenecks have subsided among member companies. However, he underscored that the overall situation remains highly unpredictable, particularly given the ongoing geopolitical tensions near the Strait of Hormuz, which continue to threaten global trade routes.

While the supply of necessary materials is currently stable, the wdk raw material index for a standard natural rubber compound has surged to its highest point in roughly two years. Berthel pointed out that this disconnect between secure supply and unrelenting price levels leaves firms facing a dual challenge, especially in Germany, where elevated energy costs compound the financial strain of expensive inputs.

The association’s report also reveals a bifurcated business climate, with robust international operations contrasting sharply with weak domestic orders. Berthel characterised the overall recovery as fragile, stressing that without substantial government action to reduce energy levies and bureaucratic hurdles, a genuine upturn for the domestic industry remains elusive.

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Hankook Tire, the exclusive tyre supplier for the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, is set to equip all teams for a historic first in Japan. The 2026 TDK Tokyo E-Prix will mark the series' debut night races, with Rounds 14 and 15 of Season 12 scheduled to start at 20:00 local time on 25 and 26 July.

Tokyo’s presence on the Formula E calendar began in 2024 with the city’s inaugural FIA World Championship race, and it returned as a double-header in 2025. The temporary 2.575-kilometre Ariake waterfront circuit, featuring 18 corners and a mix of straights, technical sections and high-speed combinations, will host the event. Demonstrating a commitment to sustainability, the entire race weekend, including the floodlighting, will be powered by advanced biofuels in partnership with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.

The unprecedented evening timetable presents a strategic challenge for competing teams. With practice and qualifying occurring during the warmer afternoon, the races will unfold after sunset on a significantly cooler track. This shift demands that engineers not only collect effective data in daylight but also accurately predict tyre behaviour, grip and track temperature evolution as conditions cool towards race time.

Despite the evening start, Tokyo’s intense late-July heat and humidity are expected to persist, placing a premium on the Hankook iON Race tyre’s warm-up characteristics, stable grip and consistent performance. Throughout the weekend, Hankook will also host a booth in the Fan Village, allowing attendees to explore the company’s iON tyre technology and electric vehicle tyre lineup.

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Bridgestone Thailand has introduced the BRIDGESTONE POTENZA SPORT EVO, its newest premium sport tyre, during the IMPACT Speed Fest 2026 event. Positioned as a next-generation offering under the design philosophy of ultimate control and superior performance, the tyre was presented to media representatives for firsthand evaluation. Engineered to provide sharp responsiveness and precise handling, the product caters to drivers seeking sporty dynamics while also accommodating the growing electric vehicle segment under the EV Ready designation.

The tyre incorporates five core performance enhancements aimed at elevating driving confidence and efficiency. Braking capabilities have been significantly improved, with the tyre achieving the highest wet grip index across all available sizes, resulting in up to five percent shorter stopping distances on wet surfaces. Dry braking performance also benefits from an innovative curved tread block design that optimises contact pressure, reducing stopping distances by two percent. Handling stability is reinforced through a specialised groove layout and the integration of high-strength nylon and aramid fibre in the tread, ensuring firm grip across varying speeds.

Durability and energy efficiency have also been addressed, with material and structural upgrades extending tyre longevity by as much as 15 percent, equivalent to over 6,000 additional kilometres of use. Rolling resistance has been lowered by up to six percent, a feature particularly beneficial for electric vehicles. Bridgestone developed this tyre with a lightweight construction to support the performance expectations of EV drivers who continue to value acceleration and high-speed capability, aligning with the company’s broader sustainability objectives.

Available from 2026 in 71 sizes ranging from 18 to 22 inches, the POTENZA SPORT EVO is now accessible through authorised Bridgestone retailers and COCKPIT outlets nationwide, with online ordering options also provided. The launch reinforces Bridgestone’s commitment to blending sporty heritage with environmentally conscious engineering, offering a solution that meets the diverse needs of modern performance and electric vehicle owners.

Akihito Ishii, Managing Director, Bridgestone Sales (Thailand) Co., Ltd., said, “As a global leader in providing sustainable mobility and advanced solutions, Bridgestone is committed to continuous research and development to deliver innovative products that effectively meet the diverse needs of consumers. With this commitment, Bridgestone aims to redefine Thailand’s premium sport tyre segment through the launch of the new BRIDGESTONE POTENZA SPORT EVO. Developed under the concept of ‘Ultimate Control, Superior Performance’, this new tyre is engineered to excel in every aspect of driving performance, delivering an exhilarating driving experience while providing the safety and confidence drivers need on every journey.

“BRIDGESTONE POTENZA SPORT EVO is one of the innovations that Bridgestone is especially proud to introduce to consumers in Thailand, particularly those seeking premium, high-quality tyres. We are confident that this new tyre will not only meet the expectations of performance-oriented drivers but also expand our reach among EV owners who demand exceptional driving performance, precise handling, superior grip, and longer-lasting durability.”

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Kumho Tire USA has initiated the Georgia Veterans Tire Assistance Program, building upon its recent alliance with the Georgia Veterans Service Foundation. This new effort will distribute certificates for complete sets of four replacement tyres to 50 financially struggling veterans throughout the state, amounting to 200 tyres with a total value exceeding USD 50,000.

The programme acknowledges that dependable vehicles are critical for veterans to reach jobs, medical facilities and daily essentials. By covering the expense of new tyres, the initiative aims to ensure that recipients can travel safely and without the burden of unexpected automotive costs.

Administration of the programme falls to the GVSF, which will handle applicant selection and the distribution of certificates over the course of the year. Those not chosen in a given round may have their applications reconsidered in subsequent quarters, provided they continue to meet the established criteria.

Eligible applicants must be Georgia residents who are US military veterans, own or routinely use the vehicle in question and hold a valid licence, insurance and registration. Proof of financial hardship and tyres deemed unsafe due to wear, age or damage are also required, with a 24-month restriction on prior assistance. This marks the inaugural project under the Kumho-GVSF partnership, reflecting the tyre manufacturer’s broader dedication to enhancing community safety and mobility.

Edmund Cho, CEO, Kumho Tire USA, said, "When we announced our partnership with the Georgia Veterans Service Foundation, our goal was to identify meaningful ways to support Georgia's veterans and their families. The Georgia Veterans Tire Assistance Program puts that commitment into action by helping veterans maintain reliable transportation for work, appointments, family commitments and everyday needs."

Joe Higgins, Board Chair, Georgia Veterans Service Foundation, said, "The Georgia Veterans Service Foundation is grateful to Kumho Tire for this generous donation to help Georgia veterans continue travelling safely and stay connected to their communities. These tyre certificates will provide meaningful assistance to veterans by improving mobility, safety and access to essential resources."

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