India’s Apollo Tyres says it is now sourcing 100% 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 the Netherlands and Hungary.
The new commitment has already led to significant changes in Apollo Tyres’ 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.
“Global demand for tyres is on the rise, driven by increasing automobile sales and the growth of ride-hailing services, and we are determined to ensure that we – and the suppliers we rely upon – grow in a sustainable way,” says Benoit Rivallant, President/CEO of Apollo Tyres Europe. “Natural Rubber is an environment 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.”
In addition to supporting its own sustainability strategy, Apollo Tyres is using the GPSNR commitment to align with the environmental goals of its global customers, which includes a number of leading vehicle manufacturers with which it has original equipment supply agreements.
In its global sustainability journey, Apollo Tyres has also recently secured ISO 20400 certification, which defines requirements for sustainable procurement, including accountability, transparency, respect for human rights and ethical behaviour, and highlights key considerations such as risk management and priority setting.