USTMA publishes tire industry sustainability report

Washington — The US Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) has published its first sustainability report on sustainable manufacturing and the industry's progress in that area.

The 28-page report highlights the accomplishments of US tire makers in achieving sustainability, including:

81% of scrap tires generated in the US reaching beneficial end-use markets in 2017;

A reduction of nearly 10% in carbon dioxide emissions since 2010;

A 50% reduction in workplace injury and illness since 2005;

Nearly 90% of USTMA member companies having certification under ISO 14001 and

100% support by USTMA member companies for charitable and philanthropic activities.

The report also details technological advances within the tire industry to achieve greater efficiency, performance, safety and sustainability.

Those measures include:

The development of run-flat, self-sealing, airless and self-inflating tires;

The development of sensors, chips and tags that can provide real-time information on tire pressure, temperature and treadwear;

Research on sustainable materials in tires, including guayule, Russian dandelions, soybean oil, rice husks and orange peels; and

Technologies and practices that reduce manufacturing-related emissions, solid waste and water use, and improve energy efficiency.

"Automobile manufacturers are increasingly turning to USTMA member companies to help fine-tune safety, performance and environmental aspects of their vehicles," the report said.

The USTMA Sustainability Report compiles information from 2016 to 2018 and will be updated every two years, the USTMA said.