The commitment of the Michelin Group to sustainable natural rubber Natural rubber is a raw material that is environmentally sound, endlessly renewable, and which creates wealth and sustainable rural employment. Nevertheless, the increase in global demand for natural rubber and poor farming practices can have a negative impact on tropical forests and biodiversity. As a result, Michelin has been working for many years to improve the industry’s value chain with five areas of action. July 8 2019 Imprimer A strong commitment to sustainable natural rubber We drafted our international public commitment in collaboration with all of our stakeholders, and made it public in 2015. It is organized around five themes: respecting people, protecting the environment, improving farming practices, careful use of natural resources, and good governance. Michelin Purchasing Principles 06/01/2023 | PDF - 2.46 Mo An active role in the creation and operation of the Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber The Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber (GPSNR) was founded in October 2018 and launched in March 2019, with the support of the TIP (Tire Industry Project, a joint project with the main tire manufacturers and hosted by the World Business Council for Sustainable Rubber). It unites around half of natural rubber stakeholders to improve the industry’s performance as part of working groups that explore avenues for progress. > GPSNR website Considerable attention to research and development Thanks to our teams of agronomists and our experimental research center in Salvador de Bahia, Brazil, the Group contributes significantly to the development of better farming practices. We also help develop tools to map CSR risks, such as the Rubberway project. To know more about Rubberway : Rubberway 07/08/2019 | PDF - 2.58 Mo Lastly, the Michelin Corporate Foundation finances scientific research projects in the public interest. Concrete action in the field . In 2015, Michelin and our Indonesian partner Barito Pacific created a joint venture, RLU, to develop rubber plantations, protect primary forests, and restore ecosystems in Sumatra (66,000 ha) and East Kalimantan, Borneo (22,000 ha). This project is carried out in partnership with the WWF. Over time, it should create 16,000 local jobs and protect thousands of hectares of tropical forest of high environmental value as well as local fauna (elephants and tigers in Sumatra, orangutans in Borneo). RLU Michelin/WWF WWF France and Michelin Group renew their partnership 07/26/2019 | PDF - 153.08 Ko Ongoing dialogue with all stakeholders As part of our good governance practices, the Group’s sustainable natural rubber commitment calls for intense dialogue with all stakeholders, planters, producers, manufacturers, customers, civil society representatives, researchers, academics, and international organizations, whether on the ground or during specific meetings. For example, since 2014, the Group has brought together NGOs for biannual consultations. The next one will take place in the first quarter of 2020. The Group also regularly publishes an evaluation of its CSR practices. > Responsible management of the natural rubber supply chain Michelin’s Recycling Efforts #EP4 Read more MOTOE™ : Michelin partners the first 100% electric motorcycle racing Read more
