Geneva, 9 February 2023: The Tire Industry Project (TIP)[i] was formed in 2005 with the commitment to a science-driven and collaborative approach to tire-sector sustainability. Now, to elevate its commitment to sustainability and broaden its contributions, TIP is excited to announce the implementation of a renewed mission and enhanced organizational structure.
In its enhanced mission, TIP will anticipate, understand, and address global environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues relevant to the tire industry and its value chain.
To bolster executive oversight, TIP’s governance structure has been updated with the December 2022 appointment of Continental to join Bridgestone, Goodyear, and Michelin as Co-Chairs of the Project[ii]. The amended mission and organizational structure was endorsed by the CEOs of TIP member companies[iii] in June 2022.
Built upon the pillars of research, action and engagement, and communication, the updated organizational structure and work program will complement TIP’s sustainability-driven program of scientific research and other projects with enhanced action, stakeholder engagement and communication across a suite of ongoing and new projects relevant to ESG in the tire sector. New-hires Domenico La Camera (Research) and Tania Paratian (Action and Engagement) join Gavin Whitmore (Communication), Anne Cécile-Rémont (Executive Director), and other team-members and contributors to lead the expanded work-program.
“This important update recognizes the evolved contributions of TIP to a sustainable tire sector and equips us for the work ahead”, said Rémont, “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.”
“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. 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.”
The evolution of TIP has included the establishment of a task force that will develop better understanding and promote action on the mitigation of TRWP, a commitment to extended reporting on the sustainable performance of members’ operations, and a new program of stakeholder engagement to build tools and knowhow for improved global end-of-life tire (ELT) management.
“These are the most important organizational changes to TIP since its founding in 2005, and we welcome Continental to the governance team,” said Rémont, “and this is only the first step. We’re excited to kick-off ‘TIP 2.0’ and look forward to demonstrating that these changes deliver research, action, and communication that drives a more sustainable tire sector.”
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[i] Formed in 2005, the Tire Industry Project (TIP) is the tire industry’s primary global forum on sustainability topics. Operating under the umbrella of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, TIP is a voluntary CEO-led initiative that brings together 10 leading tire companies, which represent more than 60 percent of the world’s tire manufacturing capacity.
[ii] Since its creation in 2005, the Tire Industry Project (TIP) has been Co-Chaired by Bridgestone, Goodyear, and Michelin. The Fourth Co-Chair position has been established to diversify and strengthen the governance of a more ambitious TIP work program. The Fourth Co-Chair position will rotate every four years. TIP members vote on the appointment and the position is renewable.
[iii] The members of TIP in alphabetical order are Bridgestone, Continental, Goodyear, Hankook, Kumho, Michelin, Pirelli, Sumitomo, Toyo Tires, and Yokohama
