Apollo Tyres commits to 100pc sustainable rubber sourcing

Apollo Tyres has said it is now sourcing 100 per cent of its natural rubber supplies from companies who have committed to sustainability throughout the supply chain, aligning with the code of conduct set out by the Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber (GPSNR).

The new initiative, which came into full effect recently, and forms part of Apollo Tyres’ Global Sustainability Strategy, applies to the supply of natural rubber to the company’s two European production facilities in Netherlands and Hungary.

Apollo Tyres says the new commitment has already led to significant changes in its European supply chain, with the company establishing new natural rubber supply agreements with businesses that have sustainable sourcing or traceable-to-plantation policies.

As a result, all tyres produced at Apollo Tyres’ facilities in Europe will now be made using natural rubber sourced from suppliers that have a commitment to the GPSNR policy framework – avoiding unsustainable practices that might negatively impact the climate, wildlife, human rights and local economies.

Founded in 2018, the GPSNR has over 200 members representing more than half of the global natural rubber value chain, including tyre makers, automakers and raw material producers.

Members such as Apollo Tyres are asked to commit to the vision and mission of the platform, as well as 12 sustainable natural rubber principles laid out in the Founding Member Statement and the GPSNR Policy Framework.

These principles include legal compliance, human rights, community, product efficiency, supply chain traceability and policy.

Benoit Rivallant, president and CEO of Apollo Tyres Europe said: “Natural rubber is an environmentally friendly raw material, but only if it’s sourced sustainably.

“It’s our job to work with companies across the value chain to ensure total transparency and help the tyre industry manage its environmental and societal impacts.”