Porsche, Michelin pursue ‘sustainable natural rubber’ in Indonesia

Stuttgart, Germany – German sports car maker Porsche and French tire maker Michelin are collaborating on sustainable natural rubber (NR) with a dedicated project to support smallholders. 

The CASCADE (committed actions for smallholders capacity development) project will see the long-time partners targeting transparency as well as better working and living conditions among Indonesian smallholders, said Porsche in a 14 Oct statement.

The €1-million project will cover a broad range of subjects, including education and training on cultivation practices, biodiversity and work safety for the farmers ‘at the lowest level of NR supply chain’.

The scheme, which will initially run until 2024, will see 1,000 smallholders trained by local partners to make extraction methods more environmentally compatible and efficient. 

The move, according to Porsche, will make “a considerable contribution” to the lasting improvement of living conditions of smallholders and their families. 

“We take a holistic approach to sustainability. Our supply chain and the extraction of raw materials are important factors here,” said Barbara Frenkel, member of the executive board for procurement at Porsche AG. 

“Smallholders form the heart of a sustainable supply chain for natural rubber,” said Frenkel, “that's why we are supporting them to achieve a decent standard of living while adhering to good environmental and social practices.”

“CASCADE is an example of Michelin’s commitment to a sustainable natural rubber supply chain that protects the environment and improves livelihoods,” said Hélène Paul, SVP, chief procurement officer at Michelin.