GENEVA, Switzerland — The Tire Industry Project (TIP) is broadening its mission to include environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues relevant to the tire industry and its value chain.
Formed in 2005, TIP is a global, voluntary, CEO-led initiative considered to be the primary global forum for the tire industry on sustainability issues. Its 10 member companies represent roughly 65% of the world's tire manufacturing capacity.
While its original commitment was to pursue a science-driven and collaborative approach to tire-sector sustainability, TIP now also will consider actions with stakeholder engagement and communication across a suite of ongoing and new projects relevant to ESG in the tire sector.
"This important update recognizes the evolved contributions of TIP to a sustainable tire sector and equips us for the work ahead," Anne Cécile-Rémont, executive director, said.
"TIP was founded to deliver scientific research on tire and road-wear particles (TRWP) and other environmental and human health issues facing the industry in 2005, and while our support for research is as important as ever, TIP and our members have evolved to meet broader sustainability challenges."
At the same time, TIP members voted to add Continental A.G. as a co-chair of the project alongside Bridgestone Corp., Goodyear Tire & Rubber and Group Michelin.
The amended mission and organizational structure was endorsed by the CEOs of TIP member companies in June 2022.
"TIP's initiation of the Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber (GPSNR) and the publication of a groundbreaking tire-sector sustainability roadmap have been key milestones in the evolution of TIP," Cécile-Rémont said. "The changes we have made to TIP's governance, team, and work program formalize the project's ongoing and expanded commitments across the ESG space."
TIP also expanded its management team recently with the hiring of Domenico La Camera (research) and Tania Paratian (action and engagement).
TIP's membership also includes: Hankook Tire & Technology Co. Ltd.; Kumho Tire Co. Inc.; Pirelli & C. S.p.A.; Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd., Toyo Tire Corp.; and Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd.
