Sailun expands Thailand natural rubber sustainability project

Qingdao, China – Chinese tire maker Sailun Group is working with partners in Thailand to support smallholder natural rubber farmers through a sustainability programme covering farm practices, compliance and education.

The project, launched in 2025 through the Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber (GPSNR) shared investment mechanism, is focused on eastern Thailand and involves Thailand’s Rubber Authority, Rayong branch, and Save the Children Thailand, said Sailun 16 April.

According to Sailun, the programme is designed to improve the sustainable production capacity of 500 smallholder farmers through training in ecological tapping methods and compliance management.

A support network involving one central station, eight ‘fixed stations’ and five mobile stations has also been established to provide policy guidance, EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) compliance consultation and technical support.

Sailun said the project has compiled training materials on lower-damage tapping methods and is encouraging the participation of women and younger farmers to support skills transfer.

The Chinese tire group added that five GPSNR demonstration plots have been created to address issues such as soil degradation and poor tapping practices. Farmers have also received organic soil improvement kits and tapping tools.

During a recent site visit, a delegation led by GPSNR chief executive Stefano Savi reviewed the project’s progress, including compliance centres, farm plots and local processing operations.

Sailun said the delegation gave “full affirmation” to the project’s “technology, service, compliance” support model and “highly recognised” efforts to improve long-term plantation productivity.

The programme also includes upgrades at three local schools, ecological education areas and scholarship support for children from rubber farming families.

Since launch, the project has achieved “phased results” in several rubber-growing villages, Sailun said, helping strengthen livelihoods while promoting environmental awareness.