The global push towards a sustainable future has seen remarkable progress in recent years. Efforts by individuals and organizations worldwide to reduce reliance on non-renewable resources are truly promising. Natural rubber stands out as an eco-friendly crop, harvested and utilized with significantly less harm to our global ecosystems. It originates from rubber trees, contributing to the delicate carbon balance of our unique atmosphere.

Natural rubber finds extensive application in various industries. In the automotive sector, it’s a vital component for tire production and other related parts. Similarly, in construction, it’s used for flooring, walls, pipes, and other materials. The medical field relies on natural rubber for items like gloves and hospital mattresses. In agriculture, it’s used for hoses and tools essential for irrigation and crop protection. Additionally, it’s utilized in livestock safety measures, like rubber strips, and in crafting protective wear such as gloves, boots, and aprons. In order to meet the demand while ensuring the well-being of the environment, reputed companies, like the California Industrial Rubber Co, often consider sourcing rubber sustainably.

Benefits of Natural rubber

Much of the rubber products used in various industries and businesses are produced by harmful chemical processes that put the planet’s health in jeopardy. For years, environmentalists have been trying to fight against the use and production of synthetic rubber and spread awareness related to human and labour rights violations. Slowly and steadily, people are waking up to the fact that synthetic rubber production is a contributor to a decrease in biodiversity and does more harm than good to natural forests that exist on planet earth. To share credible information about natural rubber and how it is superior to its synthetic counterpart, there are several platforms including a global platform for sustainable natural rubber.

The global platform for sustainable natural rubber is quite significant as an international membership-driven platform dedicated to the sustainability of the natural rubber value chain. To put it simply, it is a group of fair shareholders who share the same viewpoint regarding natural rubber as a means to secure biodiversity and an eco-friendly future. But unfortunately, there are a lot of people who do not possess the required knowledge about global platforms for sustainable natural rubber. To remove all confusion and answer the commonly asked questions, we will discuss things people do not know about this unique platform that supports sustainability through natural rubber usage.

1. The GPSNR specifically mentions that they welcome smallholders that deal with natural rubber production and other processes because according to an internal report, a total of 85% of the world’s natural rubber is readily produced by these smallholders. Hence they must be a part of the GPSNR platform and respected just as much as any other member of the group. the list of members of GPSNR includes manufacturing giants that depend on rubber products like Ford, Bridgestone, Apollo, BMW Group, Oriental, Good Year, Toyota, Volkswagen, etc. the affiliate members of GPSNR includes well-known associations and institutions like Peterson, CMO, Double Helix, European Tyre & Rubber Association, and Koltiva.

2. The executive committee of sustainable natural rubber is the central piece of the organisation that plans ideas for the GPSNR to act upon. It is based on 13 famous and expert companies that are also included within the list of ordinary members mentioned above. This committee is further categorised into 5 membership categories which include;

• Civil society
• Smallholder producers
• Producers, processors, and Traders
• Tire makers and other buyers
• Carmakers, other downstream users, and financial institutions

3. The international organisation works tirelessly towards building its capacity through funding but there is no long-term funding model of GPSNR as of yet. The team of GPSNR is active around the globe with a presence and works with smallholders and industrial plantations located in Thailand, Indonesia, and the Ivory Coast situated in the African continent. Thailand was chosen specifically for being one of the largest producers of natural rubber via good agricultural practices that do not affect the environment and create any sort of shortage of resources. GPSNR aims to popularise natural rubber usage by demo farms and training farms.
   
4. In the past month, the global platform for natural rubber announced through the working groups’ monthly updates that the members have nearly finished the Theory of Change. There is going to be a workshop in September in Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, India, and Liberia where the GPSNR members would focus on improving the platform and accelerate the partnership approval procedure. The workshop schedule would depend on COVID restrictions and situations. GPSNR is also preparing to decide on the agroforestry position in September with the support of smallholders associated with the organisation.
   
5. Last year around this time, the global platform for sustainable natural rubber held its annual general assembly during which several members gave their approval for the sustainability policy framework and decided to create a new membership category comprising of smallholder producers of eco-friendly natural rubber. The member companies associated with global platform sustainability for natural rubber accounts for approximately 50% of global natural rubber volume. The new policy mentioned earlier surrounds 12 varying principles of sustainable natural rubber which includes a commitment to causes like health, legal compliance, functioning ecosystems for all human rights. The general assembly was held virtually and drew more than 120 attendees belonging to diverse geographical backgrounds.

About

Singapore-based Giti Tire Group originated from a tire business back in 1951. The company is the worldwide manufacturer and producer of a broad range of tire products. It works with an assortment of motorsports teams, tire dealers, major original equipment vehicle manufacturers, auto-service outlets and consumers in more than 130 countries worldwide. The company has eight production centres across three countries including a newly opened tire factory in South Carolina, USA. Giti Tire is proud to become the newest tire manufacturer to join GPSNR (Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber), a leading global organization dedicated to maintaining a fair, equitable, and environmentally sound natural rubber value chain. As a product that relates directly to the environment, a focus on improving the process of rubber creation, procurement, and supply is very important to reducing societal impact and creating positive offsetting solutions for the industry.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5qrEpkvXmQ