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.  

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Pirelli prepares to take centre stage at its home race, the Formula 1 Pirelli Gran Premio d’Italia 2026, which marks the 77th edition of the historic event. The upcoming weekend at the Monza circuit is highly anticipated, driven by the fervent passion of the Italian tifosi and the venue’s deep-rooted legacy within motorsport. As the title sponsor, the Italian tyre manufacturer is set to celebrate its longstanding relationship with the Temple of Speed through a series of artistic and ceremonial initiatives.

The company’s bond with Monza transcends mere geographical proximity between its headquarters and the autodrome, being historically cemented by numerous victories on Pirelli rubber. A landmark triumph occurred on the circuit’s opening day in September 1922, when Pietro Bordino won the Grand Prix driving a Fiat 804. This year’s race will be commemorated with a unique trophy designed by the Italian artistic duo vedovamazzei, which will be presented to the top three finishers on Sunday, alongside special edition podium caps.

The trophy, named FRAGILE, is conceived as a layered composition of everyday household objects such as cups and bowls, stacked into a visually unsteady vertical form. The artists, Stella Scala and Simeone Crispino, drew inspiration from the ancient tradition of passing a communal drinking vessel to foster a sense of shared festivity. Their creation symbolises a victory that is held by an individual yet reflects the spirit of the broader community, including the team and fans, while also acknowledging the ephemeral nature of success.

The artistic process involved a blend of traditional sketching and advanced three-dimensional printing using nylon powder, which was subsequently painted and polished to a reflective finish. This commission is part of an ongoing annual project by Pirelli in collaboration with the Pirelli HangarBicocca Museum, now in its sixth edition. Previous artists who have contributed to this project include Alice Ronchi, Patrick Tuttofuoco, Ruth Beraha, Andrea Sala and Nico Vascellari.

Complementing the trophy, Pirelli Design has produced a special podium cap for the Monza weekend, featuring the iconic Azzurro blue of Italian sport. The cap, designed by Denis Dekovic, is adorned with gold embroidery and laurel wreaths, with the word Monza on the visor and an Italia 2026 emblem on the side. This exclusive merchandise is available for purchase online, adding a commemorative element for fans.

From a sporting perspective, the three softest tyre compounds will be available, with strategic simulations suggesting that a one-stop race is probable despite the availability of overtaking opportunities. The 5.793-kilometre circuit, characterised by long straights and low-downforce set-ups, will challenge drivers with energy management and rear axle traction, especially at the First Chicane and Ascari. While braking stability is crucial, the recently resurfaced track and new kerb modifications at specific turns will influence performance. Historical records highlight that Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton share the most victories, Ferrari leads the constructors' tally and Pierre Gasly secured a memorable maiden win here in 2020.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Tyres Europe has released three summary reports detailing the findings of comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment studies focused on representative European tyre categories, including passenger-car, truck and bus, as well as retreaded and regrooved variants. The publications mark a significant effort to evaluate the environmental footprint of these products across their entire lifespan.

The assessments, executed by Sphera, utilised average industry data from multiple European manufacturers. The research framework examined environmental impacts spanning raw material extraction, production, logistics, usage and end-of-life disposal. Adherence to stringent international protocols, including ISO 14040 and ISO 14044, ensured methodological consistency, with an independent peer review further validating the conclusions.

For both passenger-car and truck tyre models, the operational phase emerged as the dominant factor in most impact categories, primarily due to fuel consumption linked to rolling resistance. Raw material processing constituted the second-largest burden. A notable finding revealed that a high-performance truck tyre exhibited an 8 to 27 percent reduction in environmental impacts relative to a medium-to-low-performance counterpart, attributed to superior rolling resistance and enhanced tread life.

The retreading analysis stressed that circularity must be balanced with use-phase efficiency, with findings based on scenario-driven break-even analyses due to limited measured data. The reports assert that tyre sustainability cannot be judged by a single metric, advocating a holistic view of materials, manufacturing, mileage, and rolling resistance. These insights aim to inform policy frameworks, including the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation and EU climate legislation.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Sri Trang Agro-Industry Public Company Limited (STA) was among 16 industrial organisations recognised for climate action during a recent Bangkok seminar. The event, held on 18 August 2026 at the Thailand Institute of Justice, marked the conclusion of the ‘Project to Promote Greenhouse Gas Emission Target Setting for the Industrial Sector towards Net Zero using the Science Based Target Approach (Phase 3)’, organised by the Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization and Thammasat University's Center of Excellence in Energy Efficiency.

STA participated in developing a Net Zero Pathway aligned with updated certification criteria. The sustainability team shared insights on embedding Net Zero objectives into operations, highlighting management and employee roles in advancing the environmental agenda. A formal certificate was presented to Dr Saranthinee Mongkolratthe, the company's Sustainability Division Manager.

STA targets a 23 percent reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030 from a 2024 baseline, aiming for Net Zero by 2050. Initiatives include energy efficiency improvements, renewable energy adoption and emission reduction plans across factory and group levels. Digital technology and artificial intelligence are deployed for carbon management, enabling performance monitoring and data analysis to support long-term decisions.

STA is also developing low-carbon natural rubber throughout its supply chain to meet global demand for sustainable products. The company's project involvement and recognition demonstrate its commitment to translating targets into action, positioning the business for low-carbon growth while contributing to Thailand's national sustainability objectives.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Titan International is set to deliver a comprehensive experience for attendees at the 2026 Farm Progress Show, running from 1 to 3 September 2026. At Booth #24S, the company will showcase its extensive portfolio of off-highway tyres and tracks, offer exclusive savings opportunities and provide interactive tools designed to help farmers evaluate the financial benefits of its Low Sidewall Technology. The booth will also serve as a hub for meeting prominent agricultural personalities and supporting future farming leaders through a charitable initiative.

Visitors to the Titan booth can take advantage of a promotional offer providing USD 200 off a qualifying tyre purchase of USD 1,000 or more. Company representatives will be on-site to discuss eligible brands and products and to assist with the redemption process. Additionally, farmers are invited to use the interactive LSW Payback Calculator to assess the potential return on investment for their specific operations. Titan notes that in most scenarios, these tyres can pay for themselves in less than 18 months.

The booth will feature appearances by well-known figures from the agricultural and racing worlds. NASCAR driver and eighth-generation watermelon farmer Ross Chastain is scheduled to appear on Wednesday from 9 am to 12 pm, offering attendees a chance to see his racecar and discuss his farm's use of Titan and Goodyear tyres. Throughout the show, social media personalities will also be present, including the Welker Family and Cole the Cornstar, who will showcase their equipment and discuss their experiences with Titan products.

A highlight of the show will be the first-ever Farm Progress After Hours event on 2 September. Hosted in partnership with Van Wall Equipment and John Deere at Booth #24S, the evening will feature a concert by Iowa country artist Jason Brown and a pyrotechnic drone light show. The event is included with show admission and will commence after the exhibition booths close for the day.

Titan is reinforcing its commitment to rural communities through a tyre raffle benefiting Iowa FFA chapters. Attendees can purchase raffle tickets from FFA students at the booth for a chance to win a set of four tyres, with winners able to choose from Carlstar, Titan or ITP branded products. Proceeds from the raffle will be distributed to participating Iowa FFA chapters, supporting the next generation of agricultural leaders.

As a one-stop shop for off-highway wheel and tyre solutions, Titan will display products from its family of brands, including Goodyear Farm Tires, Carlstar and ITP. With over 40 product lines and 100 tyres on display, the booth aims to provide solutions for various equipment needs.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!