An inaugural assessment by EcoVadis has resulted in a Silver Medal for Pyrum Innovations AG. The sustainability ratings provider awarded Pyrum, which has patented a pyrolysis technology for the sustainable recycling of end-of-life tyres, an overall score of 59 points. This places Pyrum amongst the worldwide top 25 per cent of all companies in its industry assessed by EcoVadis.
At a meeting on 22 June, the Board of Directors of Pirelli approved the underwriting of a sustainability-linked credit line for an amount up to 400 million euros. This credit line with a “select pool of international banks” has a 19-month maturity and “enables the further optimisation of the group’s financial structure.”
The 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed begins today, and amongst the many delights on show is the new, fully-electric Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 ePerformance. The Porsche test vehicle is particularly interesting to tyre aficionados as it is equipped with Michelins that contain 53 per cent sustainable materials.
Maxam Tire has brought its EcoPoint3 technology to the material handling sector with the introduction of the MS600 press-on solid tyre. The Sailun Group specialty tyre business considers the use of this new rubber compounding technology a transformative step that provides an “unrivalled solution” for users of forklift tyres.
Tyre lovers, people who take sustainability seriously and anyone who knows how to tell the time will benefit from a recent collaboration between Michelin and Bamford London. The tyre maker and luxury products specialist have teamed up to create 133 limited edition watches – one timepiece for each year since Michelin was founded in 1889.
By the end of 2022, drivers in the UK will be able to equip their vehicles with Continental summer or all-season tyres made using polyester from recycled PET bottles. Continental calls this sustainable material ContiRe.Tex and began incorporating it into some tyre lines in April. The initial range coming to the UK consists of 15 dimensions in total, with five sizes of PremiumContact 6, EcoContact 6 and AllSeasonContact available.
Tarmac, the UK-based sustainable building materials and construction solutions business, has begun a trial of a ground-breaking fuel conditioner as part of its ongoing corporate commitment reducing emissions across its nationwide fleet of heavy goods vehicles. Working with fuel technology specialist partner SulNOx Group Plc, the business is using an innovative fuel additive on selected vehicles over a three-month period while carefully monitoring fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions data to identify savings.
Pirelli is displaying its most cutting-edge products that contribute to more sustainable mobility at its stand at The Tire Cologne 2022 (Hall 6.1, Stand A020-B029). “With its appearance at Tire Cologne 2022, Pirelli is underlining its leading position as a high-performance development partner of leading automobile manufacturers for the original equipment of tyres for their models from the premium and prestige segments,” says Wolfgang Meier, chairman of the management board of Pirelli Deutschland GmbH. “In addition, we present ourselves as an attractive and reliable partner of the tyre trade and as a company that is aware of its responsibility for the environment and climate.”
Birla Carbon has been awarded a Platinum level rating by EcoVadis for sustainability. This recognition confirms Birla Carbon’s position as an industry leader in advanced sustainability practices and reporting and places it in the top 1 per cent of companies rated by EcoVadis. The rating was provided after reviewing Birla Carbon’s sustainability practices in its recently published ninth sustainability report, Driving Circularity.
Following a successful pilot scheme, Kwik Fit is increasing product availability for customers who want to buy tyres that support sustainable rubber production and help protect the rainforests of Indonesia. The company is now offering three brands of tyre that tick these boxes.
Hankook has been certified S&P Global Gold Class in S&P Global’s Sustainability Yearbook 2022, making the tyre manufacturer one of the top companies in the US financial services provider’s ranking. Based on the S&P Dow Jones World Sustainability Index, the yearbook is regarded as one of the world’s foremost sustainability indices. Of the 7,554 companies evaluated for the 2022 yearbook, 75 received gold, 89 silver, and 106 bronze awards for outstanding achievement. Hankook president and CEO Sooil Lee said, “The award is a testament to our commitment to a more sustainable future. To further drive our growth as a global acting tyre company, we plan to strengthen our social, environmental and financial activities globally.”
Bridgestone has added further details to its new global corporate sustainability commitment, launched at the beginning of March 2022. The E8 Commitment represents a framework of eight key values to build on the company’s approach to sustainable business growth and transformation. The E8 Commitment also signals the development of “Bridgestone 3.0”, the company’s third era following its initial foundation in 1931 and its emergence as a global business in 1988 following its acquisition of Firestone. The latest evolution will be driven by the company’s new sustainable and advanced mobility solutions.
Construction companies are increasingly considering the environmental impact of their operations and this includes their machinery choices. Legislation has driven the development of clean engines – in the off-highway sector new machines must now be built with Stage V low emission engines. Of course, battery power is also now becoming more prominent as a power source for smaller plant and equipment. So, what about tyres?
Today, Bridgestone Corporation launched its Bridgestone E8 Commitment towards 2030. This commitment consists of eight values that start with the letter E – energy, ecology, efficiency, extension, economy, emotion, ease and empowerment. The company says it will commit to these values in order to “realise a sustainable society.”
Vipal Rubber’s manufacturing units in southern Brazil have received recognition for sustainable practices. EcoVadis assessed the retreading materials supplier’s Nova Prata facilities, awarding it an additional two points versus its Silver-certificated inspection n 2019. Vipal said the sustainability of its operations, extending beyond the environment to focus on people too.
Pirelli
Hankook
Bridgestone