FINDLAY, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Yesterday in Singapore, Cooper Tire & Rubber Company participated in a signing ceremony as a founding member of a new independent Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber (GPSNR). Initiated by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) Tire Industry Project (TIP), the GPSNR will lead improvements in the socio-economic and environmental performance of the natural rubber value chain. Cooper Tire is one of 11 tire manufacturers that are members of TIP.
“Cooper believes that a coordinated, universal and standard industry approach is the right way to drive toward solutions in establishing and promoting sustainable natural rubber practices,” said Chuck Yurkovich, Senior Vice President – Global Research & Development. “We are proud to be among leaders in the industry who have agreed to found the GPSNR and follow through with its important work.”
Natural rubber is a crucial element of tire production, driving the importance of maintaining its sustainability and supply. GPSNR members will work together to harmonize standards to improve respect for human rights, prevent land-grabbing, protect biodiversity and water resources, improve yields, and increase supply chain transparency and traceability for this material. In joining the platform, members also commit to demonstrating the integration of principles for sustainable natural rubber into their purchasing and/or operational activities.
The GPSNR will be independently managed with governance and decision making overseen by a representative group of stakeholders. Membership is open to all tire manufacturers, other rubber users, suppliers and processors, vehicle makers and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that demonstrate commitment and/or action to sustainable natural rubber production and supply. The platform’s offices will be located in Singapore and will begin operations in March 2019.
About the Tire Industry Project (TIP)
Formed in 2005, the Tire Industry Project (TIP) serves as a global, voluntary, CEO-led initiative, undertaken by 11 leading tire companies with an aim to anticipate, identify, analyze and address the potential human health and environmental impacts associated with tire development, use and management through end of tire life. TIP is a proactive initiative that operates under the umbrella of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and is designed to advance sustainability throughout the tire industry. Together, TIP member companies work to anticipate, identify, analyze and collaborate on sustainability challenges facing the industry, improve understanding of and educate about these challenges, and develop potential solutions for a more sustainable future. TIP online: link
About Cooper Tire & Rubber Company
Cooper Tire & Rubber Company (NYSE: CTB) is the parent company of a global family of companies that specializes in the design, manufacture, marketing and sale of passenger car, light truck, medium truck, motorcycle and racing tires. Cooper's headquarters is in Findlay, Ohio, with manufacturing, sales, distribution, technical and design operations within its family of companies located in more than one dozen countries around the world. For more information on Cooper, visit www.coopertire.com, www.facebook.com/coopertire or www.twitter.com/coopertire.