Apollo demands ‘sustainable' NR for plants in Europe

Gurugram, India – Apollo Tyres is now sourcing all natural rubber (NR) for its European tire factories from 'sustainable' producers, the company has announced.

The producers, it explained 24 May, have committed to sustainability guidelines set out by the Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber (GPSNR).

The recently effected initiative applies to Apollo tire plants in Enschede, The Netherlands, and Gyongyoshalasz, Hungary, said the Indian-based tire maker.

The new commitment, according to Apollo, “has already led to significant changes” in the company’s European supply-chain.

This includes new NR supply agreements requiring commitment to GPSNR policy and implementation of “sustainable sourcing or traceable-to-plantation policies”.

“We are determined to ensure that we – and the suppliers we rely upon – grow in a sustainable way,” said Benoit Rivallant, president and CEO of Apollo Tyres Europe.

Apollo, added Rivallant, aims to ensure “total transparency” and help the tire industry “manage its environmental and societal impacts.”