Continental pursues a holistic approach to make the complex and fragmented supply chains for natural rubber more sustainable: The latest digital technologies, local involvement in the cultivation of rubber, and close cooperation with strong partners are aimed at creating more transparency along the entire value chain. As of today, the completely seamless traceability of natural rubber is technically impossible due to the high complexity of the supply chain. With its commitment, Continental is working at full speed on a blueprint for the sustainable and responsible structuring of supply chains.
Natural rubber is still essential for ensuring outstanding tire performance. This natural product accounts for between 10 and 40 percent of the entire weight of modern, high-performance tires. The special properties of natural rubber include the high level of strength and durability caused by the strain-induced crystallization of the rubber. Natural rubber is currently obtained almost exclusively from the rubber tree Hevea Brasiliensis. The European Tyre & Rubber Manufacturers Association (ETRMA) estimates that up to six million smallholders worldwide are financially dependent on rubber extraction. In addition, the natural rubber passes through as many as seven different intermediaries and processing companies before it reaches for example Continental's factory gates.
Ambition: 100 percent responsibly sourced natural rubber from 2030 onwards
Continental's ambition is to source all-natural rubber for its tire production from responsible sources from 2030 onwards. In order to achieve this, Continental is particularly pressing ahead with increasing the transparency of supply chains. Innovative technology, digitalization, education projects, and systematic risk mapping are the main tools that Continental uses to make supply chains more sustainable.
This story is from the December 2022 edition of ContiVision.
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This story is from the December 2022 edition of ContiVision.
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