At the most recent meeting with its stakeholders on natural rubber, Michelin reaffirmed that the Group is in favor of any actions and regulations for a sustainable natural rubber industry that considers the specificities of the value chain, composed of millions of rubber farmers, and hundreds of thousands of intermediaries.

The EU Regulation on deforestation-free products, which is currently being adopted by the European institutions, was among the key topics discussed at the stakeholders’ meeting on November 23 and 24, as it represents an important step forward in the fight against deforestation.

Michelin confirmed that it supports the inclusion of natural rubber in the list of commodities affected by the regulation on imported deforestation, provided that the traceability’s requirements* are adapted to the natural rubber supply chain, which is particularly complex and fragmented.

As a long-standing partner of the natural rubber industry and a founding member of the Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber (GPSNR), the Group is strongly committed in advancing the best social and environmental practices within this sector. Michelin is absolutely convinced that guaranteeing a sustainable supply chain by ensuring that small rubber farmers can live from their activity, without deforestation, is the key objective.

*extended to an area greater than a single plot of land, and consider traceability at district level (e.g., 25 km x 25 km).