AKRON — Goodyear has adopted a new policy for procuring soybean oil that the tire maker said will help processors, farmers and others along the supply chain make practical environmental and social decisions related to soybean production.
Announced March 18, Goodyear said the new strategy "reflects its strong commitment to the responsible sourcing of raw materials."
"Goodyear's use of soybean oil is growing, and we want our actions to make a difference in the lives of soybean farmers and others in the soybean supply chain," Maureen Thune, vice president and chief procurement officer, said. "Our new policy will help guide us as we work with processors, farmers and others to strengthen the sustainability of the global soybean supply chain."
Goodyear said the approach is based on human rights; responsible land acquisition (no deforestation or land grabbing) and use; environmentally responsible processing, growing and harvesting; supplier alignment (so that those further down the supply chain also implement responsible policies); and transparent policy compliance.
For its own part, Goodyear, with the cooperation of the United Soybean Board, is replacing petroleum products with soybean oil in many of its tread compounds, which can improve grip performance in changing temperatures.
Goodyear has implemented this technology in its Assurance WeatherReady, Eagle Enforce All Weather, Eagle Exhilarate and Assurance ComfortDrive tires.
The company has established the benchmark of completely replacing petroleum oil in its products by 2040.
