Throughout 2023, the tire industry's value chain has witnessed significant advancements in sustainability, albeit with varying degrees of progress across its various segments.
However, an effective evaluation of these advancements necessitates a clear comprehension of 'Sustainability'—a term that has become rather diluted due to its ubiquitous utilization in discourse, thereby diminishing its clarity within the context of meaningful discussions.
One prominent area of progress lies in the domain of circular materials—those that are reincarnated into new tires from resources that have outlived their initial purposes, be it previous tires or other products. The most compelling source of such materials is end-of-life tires, an option that resonates deeply on an emotional level. While utilizing materials from end-of-life products, such as beverage bottles, may elicit a slightly lesser emotional response, the environmental benefits of diverting these from places like beaches, oceans, and landfills are universally acknowledged.
An integral aspect of this transition involves the processing and handling of these novel materials, necessitating a paradigm shift for tire engineers, who must adapt and potentially discard traditional knowledge pertaining to existing materials and methodologies.
Another significant facet is decarbonization, specifically targeting Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions. In the immediate sense, this involves minimizing the energy consumption of tires during their operation. Looking towards the future, it involves a gradual shift towards renewable energy sources to power the vehicles themselves.
This transition to renewable energy necessitates tires with increasingly lower rolling resistance, presuming that tires remain the primary technology in this space.
Moreover, a third crucial dimension involves identifying and mitigating harmful emissions from tires, including wear particles and hazardous chemicals like 6PPD. Additionally, the industry bears the responsibility to ensure that the procurement of rubber does not contribute to deforestation or infringe upon land-use rights in regions where natural rubber is harvested.
A frequently overlooked yet vital component in discussions about sustainability is the aspect of long-term corporate profitability.
While the spectrum of sustainability within business operations is indeed broad, a common occurrence is the amplification of minor successes in a single aspect of sustainable development by companies or organizations, portraying them as indicative of a comprehensive commitment to the multifaceted concept of 'sustainability.'
Similarly, the industry is rife with PR maneuvers and spin doctors who adeptly craft sustainability reports and press materials, framing minor achievements as substantial strides towards a sustainable future.
At industry events, it's not uncommon to encounter products labeled as 'sustainable,' which, upon closer inspection, are merely repackaged versions of pre-existing offerings.
This discrepancy arguably stems from divergent perspectives and approaches towards sustainability among leadership teams across different tire manufacturing entities.
