Tyremakers Pirelli and Hankook are amongst those rated in the latest Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI). Full results will be published on 20 November, but some details have been previewed already namely that Hankook has been recognized as the best-in-class sustainability leader in the (DJSI) World for the sixth consecutive year. Similarly, Pirelli scored maximum points in the social context for social reporting category.
Recent years have seen tyre industry interest and investment in sustainability sharply increase. In August the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) published an uncompromising report warning that “Scientists are observing changes in the Earth’s climate in every region and across the whole climate system” and adding that “some…are irreversible over hundreds to thousands of years.” Here, British Tyre Manufacturers Association chief executive, Graham Willson explains why the UN red alert on climate change is a call to action and what it means for the UK tyre industry:
As if the Covid-related troubles combined with complex shipping challenges and rising raw material costs weren’t enough, Chinese government policy is now adding to the pressure on tyre manufacturers making tyres for export from the People’s Republic. Specifically, the Chinese central government environmental policy has led to power rationing across the country since mid-September, which has had a marked impact on manufacturing business including the tyre industry. Indeed, more than 20 tyre manufacturers have experienced power-rationing-related temporary shutdowns and/or have implemented price increases because of these product headwinds. And these are having a marked impact on tyre production.
Campaign group Mighty Earth has published a report alleging that Michelin “covered up industrial-scale deforestation of over 2,500 hectares of rainforest in the run-up to the launch of its flagship ‘eco-friendly’ sustainable natural rubber joint venture project in Sumatra, Indonesia”. The project is currently seeking an additional $120 million in investment from green financiers. Michelin’s joint-venture Indonesia natural rubber project Royal Lestari Utama (RLU) robustly denied the allegations.
The Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) raised Kordsa’s score from C- to B in 2019. According to the company, CDP raised Kordsa’s score from C- (the first and lower grade of the “awareness” band) to B (the second and upper grade of the “management” band) in 2019 as a result of the efforts Kordsa carried out to manage risks and opportunities related to climate change.
The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. has been named on the 2019 Climate Change A List announced on 20 January by CDP, a global environmental impact non-profit organization (NPO) that aims to promote the realization of a sustainable economy. Inclusion on the internationally prestigious CDP A List of companies with outstanding environmental performance recognizes Yokohama Rubber’s efforts to mitigate climate change as being of the highest global standard. This is the second time Yokohama Rubber has been included in the CDP Climate Change A List, following its first listing in 2016.
Pirelli & C. S.p.A. has been counted as a global leader in the fight against climate change by CDP (formerly known as the Carbon Disclosure Project) for the second year in a row.
Nokian Tyres is changing its tyre bags to more environmentally friendly ones. Producing bags partially from biomaterial reduces carbon dioxide emissions by up to 75 per cent compared to making bags from virgin or recycled plastic.
On 4 December 2019 the Tire Industry Project (TIP) published its 2019 report on the global End-of-Life Tyre (ELT) business.
CEOs of 11 leading tyre manufacturers met to review progress and confirm the ongoing mandate of the leading global forum for tyre manufacturers on sustainability issues – the Tire Industry Project.
Founded in 2005, the Tire Industry Project (TIP) is a global CEO-led initiative undertaken by leading tyre manufacturing companies to research potential human health and environmental impacts of tyres throughout their lifecycle. TIP operates under the umbrella of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and is co-chaired by Bridgestone, Goodyear, and Michelin.
Galgo has earned the distinction of being an ESR “Socially Responsible Company” for the eighth consecutive year. This award is given by the Mexican Center for Philanthropy (Cemefi) and the Alliance for Corporate Social Responsibly (AliaRSE) and is presented to organizations that are committed to engaging with and supporting social and environmental protection programs within their community.
Nokian Tyres has received the Silver Class distinction in the RobecoSAM Sustainability Yearbook 2019. RobecoSAM is an expert on sustainability whose annual assessment is considered to be a particularly reliable and comprehensive report of how sustainability is implemented in companies around the world.
Bridgestone Americas’ Aiken, South Carolina, passenger and light truck tyre and its Aiken OTR tyre plants have been accepted into the South Carolina Environmental Excellence Program (SCEEP) for their recycling, conservation and community support. SCEEP, a programme highlighting outstanding workplace environmental improvement, is implemented through the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. SCEEP was designed to recognize and reward South Carolina facilities that have demonstrated superior environmental performance through pollution prevention, energy and resource conservation, and the use of an environmental management system.
The mangrove conservation project, referred to as ‘Kannur Kandal project’, initiated by Apollo Tyres in partnership with Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), recently commemorated the UNESCO-mandated international day for conservation of mangroves at Kannur, Kerala. Honourable Mayor of Kannur Municipality, Ms E P Latha was the chief guest at this half-day event, which was attended by senior government and forest officials, representatives of Apollo Tyres and WTI, Community Members and Academia.
In response to the Mayor’s Clean Air Summit and proposals to bring forward the Government’s ban on new petrol and diesel sales from 2040 to 2030, Caroline Russell AM, Chair of the London Assembly Environment Committee said:
Hankook
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Mighty Earth