Tire manufacturers advance new results: sustainable raw material rubber

In 2024, Schwalbe Tires, a well-known manufacturer in the two-wheel tire market, has frequently released new news in the field of sustainable development. On December 16, 2024, the German bicycle tire manufacturer Schwalbe Tires reported that an agroforestry project launched nine months ago in Java, Indonesia has achieved "positive results".

New progress in "Fair Rubber"

It is reported that the agroforestry project called "Fair Rubber" is carried out by the bicycle tire manufacturer in cooperation with local farmers from Fair Rubber e.V. and Yayasan Adil Makmur Sejahter Cikulur Cooperative. The project has been supported by the Indonesian Rubber Research Institute.

In this agroforestry project, in addition to 7,500 rubber trees, other crops such as eggplants and bananas are planted in the "experimental plantation". Bicycle tire manufacturer Schwalbe Tires explained that the purpose of planting different crops in the same plantation is to "stay close to nature", and the plantation is based on the vegetation of natural forests. This foundation creates a diverse and species-rich environment that is very close to the conditions of the original forest and is therefore an obvious positive alternative to traditional monoculture systems.

Schwalbe Tires emphasizes that one of the biggest benefits of this approach is that it can help protect rubber trees from parasitic leaf diseases and crop failures, while protecting natural ecosystems and helping farmers. According to reports, the "experimental plantation" has now become a "long-term and stable source of income" for local communities. Not only that, there is evidence that the "experimental plantation" strengthens soil health and environmental resilience.

Schwalbe Tires is now fulfilling its commitment to the Fair Rubber Initiative, through which it pays a premium of €0.50/kg directly to certified smallholders and rubber collectors. The report said that this premium is equivalent to more than a quarter of the current world market price, directly supporting the livelihoods of local communities.

According to the tire manufacturer, in 2024, "fair rubber" will account for about one-third of the natural rubber used in its production process. As early as June this year, Schwalbe Tires announced that it could mass-produce tire products with 70% sustainable materials, leading the industry by a large margin while achieving sustainable development goals.

Recycled carbon black is commercialized
On June 24, the bicycle tire manufacturer said it had partnered with Pyrum, a waste tire pyrolysis company, to convert its waste tires into recycled carbon black. In fact, the partnership with Pyrum allows the two-wheel tire manufacturer to replace traditional carbon black from petrochemical materials with recycled carbon black.

According to reports, using only recycled carbon black to make tires can reduce carbon emissions by 80%. When asked whether the use of recycled carbon black would reduce tire performance, the relevant person in charge of Schwalbe Tires said there was no need to worry at all. After deciding to use recycled carbon black as a substitute for traditional carbon black, Schwalbe Tires did intensive research and development to ensure that the alternative products can also make the tires perform well.

At present, tire products using recycled carbon black will be used in all tires of Schwalbe Tires' road bicycles, gravel bicycles, mountain bicycles, and urban and cargo bicycles. The tire company will continue to expand the product range of recycled carbon black. However, the company admits that not all tires are suitable for the use of recycled carbon black.

Schwalbe said that tires with "Addix Ultra Soft" rubber compound and "Active Line" series tires will not use recycled carbon black as a substitute. Because the use of recycled carbon black in these products cannot fully guarantee the performance of the tires as usual.