Yokohama Rubber "joins" RubberWay NR tracing tool

Tokyo - Yokohama Rubber Co. (YRC) has "joined" a geo-mapping-based risk assessment tool launched in March by sustainability platform RubberWay.

YRC noted its wide-scale use of natural rubber (NR) across its various products, using a ‘complex supply-chain of many smallholders, intermediaries, and processing plants.’

“Consequently, it has become difficult for the group to assess and monitor risks related to environmental issues in its supply chain,” according to a 17 May release.

Such risks, it said, include illegal deforestation, poor water-resource management, child labour and forced labour as well as the impacts of these issues on local communities.

“Ensuring traceability has become an issue for the group’s promotion of sustainable procurement,” the Japanese tires and rubber-products maker stated.

The geo-mapping tool, according to YRC, allows users to assess and monitor farmers’ geolocation data as well as environmental and social issues.

Currently, over 30,000 farms have been registered in the system, said the group, which expects the app to improve the traceability of NR in its supply chain.

Another important  target is to accelerate disclosure and compliance with the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), continued the YRC statement.

Additionally, the group said it would continue to implement and announce further initiatives to support NR traceability and sustainability.