naturkautschuk

Natural rubber.

Areas of application automotive industry.

  • Main areas of application: tyres
  • Other areas of application: engine and transmission mount, handlebars, axle systems, connecting elements, vertical dynamics

Raw-material-specific risks.

  • Negative environmental impacts, such as deforestation, land use, loss of biodiversity
  • Human rights abuses 
  • Violation of labour rights
  • Corruption, weak government regulations

Measures taken by the BMW Group.

  • Comprehensive ESG risk assessment carried out. Most producing countries are considered critical countries of origin for the risks motioned above.
  • Transparency in the supply chain through analysis and surveys of direct suppliers of rubber
  • Piloting of FSC certification for natural rubber; FSC-certified tyres introduced for the first time in September 2021.
  • Publication of High-Level Commitment for Sustainable Natural Rubber as policy statement for activities relating to this topic.
  • Increase local impact through the enabling project Deforestation-free Natural Rubber Supply Chains in Indonesia’s Hutan Harapan conservation area, organised by the NGO Birdlife International with partner company Pirelli. The focus is on preserving the natural ecosystem, preventing deforestation, protecting endangered species, improving rights and quality of life for the local indigenous community and ensuring traceability, as well as on the use of sustainably-grown natural rubber.

Initiatives.

  • Global Platform für Sustainable Natural Rubber (GPSNR): 
    Founding member of the GPSNR