GM Commits to Using “Green” Tires

General Motors Co. is working with several tiremakers and other partners as part of a plan to increase the use of sustainable natural rubber in future tires.

The carmaker aims to eventually only use rubber that comes from sources that don’t contribute to deforestation and is harvested in ways that aid surrounding areas. No timeline was given for meeting the goal, but GM says it’s in the process of developing new purchasing requirements for rubber and plans to release an industry road map for the program by year-end.

GM is working on the program with four tiremakers—Bridgestone, Continental, Goodyear and Michelin—as well as with rubber industry associations and government and industry groups.

The carmaker, which purchases nearly 50 million tires per year, notes that several issues need to be resolved, such as traceability of the rubber from the farm to the factory.  The partners also aim to reduce costs by increasing rubber yields and simplifying supply chain complexity.

As much as one-third of a car tire is made of natural rubber, which currently is sourced from trees in countries near the equator in southeast Asia, west Africa and South America. The tire industry is evaluating the use of sustainable rubber derived from other sources, such as desert shrubs and dandelion roots.

GM notes that using sustainable natural rubber has a number of benefits, including:

• preserving and restoring forests and high carbon stock areas
• mitigating business risk related to supply chain sourcing and performance
• improving yield and quality for natural rubber farmers, thereby supporting the small businesses that contribute 85% of the material