MONARAGALA, Sri Lanka — Specialty tire maker Global Rubber Industries (Pvt.) Ltd. (GRI) has launched a "Greening Our Planet" initiative by planting 450 rubber trees in the natural rubber estates of smallholder farmers in Monaragala.
The move marked the second phase of GRI's Green X Circle social leadership initiative, which was launched in 2019 at Agritechnica in Germany. Green X Circle aims to create an interdependent, end-to-end supply chain from the rubber tree to the rubber farmer to the agricultural farmer who uses GRI's Green EX and Green XLR agricultural tires.
GRI said the initiative is the first of its kind.
"Our initial phase was about constructing a strong foundation with the natural rubber farmer in Sri Lanka and connecting with their communities," GRI CEO Mahesha Ranasoma said. "We are (now) connecting globally with our business partners who are serving the agricultural farmers in their respective markets through ... 'Greening Our Planet.'
"This is an important step for us."
GRI said its commitment to society and sustainability is embedded in the company's vision, which is "to move humanity toward making a positive impact on our planet and to manufacture specialty tires sustainably."
Founded in 2002, GRI produces materials-handling solid tires, radial agriculture tires, and construction tires. GRI has operations in nine countries, and a business presence in more than 50 countries worldwide.
