Conti uses ‘responsible NR’ in bicycle tire series production

Hanover, Germany – Continental AG has been manufacturing all of its Gravity mountain bike tire products from responsibly-sourced natural rubber since July, the German manufacturer has announced.

The rubber is sourced from Conti’s sustainable rubber project in West Kalimantan, Indonesia, where the Hanover-based group and its partner German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) have been working on digitalisation and labour education since 2018.

In a statement 24 Aug, Continental said its definition of ‘responsibly-sourced’ is when the rubber is “sustainably cultivated and processed through a transparent supply chain that is monitored by a due diligence mechanism.”

“I’m delighted that we are now using responsibly sourced natural rubber," said Claus Petschick, head of sustainability Continental tires.

The ambition, he went on to say, is "to actively take responsibility in our supply chains."

"For us, digitalisation and education are the keys to enhancing the transparency of our natural rubber supply chains.”

The German group has set itself a target of achieving 100% sustainable supply chains by 2050 at the latest.

For natural rubber, Continental Tires aims to cover its entire demand exclusively through responsible sources by as early as 2030.