Prinx Chengshan begins use of EUDR-certified natural rubber

Prinx Chengshan, with its Austone brand distributed by Euro Tyre Sales and flagship brand Prinx distributed by Cork Tyre Wholesale in Ireland, has announced that it has begun using EUDR-certified natural rubber in its tyre manufacturing process, effective 1st September.

The European Union’s Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) requires companies to verify the origin of natural rubber and rubber products so that they do not contribute to further deforestation. It will start to apply from 30th December, 2024.

Prinx Chengshan describes itself as “one of the greenest tyre manufacturers in the world”, and says the proactive switch to EUDR-certified natural rubber demonstrates its “unwavering commitment to environmental responsibility and regulatory compliance”.

Earlier this year, Prinx Chengshan gave TyreTrade.ie a tour of its rubber supplier, Thai Eastern Group Holdings (TEGH), which is located near its new manufacturing facility in Chon Buri, Thailand. Here, we could explore TEGH’s rubber farm where rubber is responsibly sourced and produced with minimal environmental impact.

Rubber farmers demonstrated how concentrated latex is extracted from the Hevea Brasiliensis tree, which grow for around six or seven years before being ‘farmed’. The latex can then be collected over a period of 20 to 30 years. A single rubber tree produces 60-150 kg of rubber during its lifetime. From there, the concentrated latex is transported a short distance to a factory where block rubber and special grade block rubber is produced.

According to Prinx Chengshan, the use of high-quality raw rubber from Thailand ensures the continuous production of tyres with exceptional performance.