Sustainability in the Natural Rubber Supply Chain

The first steps towards more sustainable natural rubber are being made in Indonesia in a development partnership between Continental and the German Gesellschaft für Internationale Arbeit (GIZ). Indonesia is the second-biggest producer of natural rubber globally. The objective is to develop a catalogue of criteria for sustainable production of natural rubber, to train farmers in sustainable cultivation methods according to these criteria and to ensure traceability of rubber from the small rubber farms all the way to its deployment in Continental production. Through better rubber quality, higher yields and optimisation of the supply chain, rubber farmers’ income will increase. Continental and GIZ’s partnership is supported by the develoPPP.de program run by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.

Furthermore, Continental has participated in sector activities promoting sustainable natural rubber, which were initiated by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) together with the industry and several stakeholder groups.