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SCHWALBE TAKES PART IN FAIR RUBBER E.V.
BICYCLE TIRES MADE OF FAIR TRADE NATURAL RUBBER
Schwalbe continues to foster a commitment to more sustainability and responsibility. Our goal: Sustainable product design from cradle to grave. This begins with the raw materials. In cooperation with Fair Rubber e.V., Schwalbe encourages fair trade of natural rubber and thereby actively supports better living and working conditions for rubber tappers.
Even though 70 percent of natural rubber traded worldwide is used by the tire industry, Schwalbe is, so far, the first and only tire manufacturer to join Fair Rubber e.V.
THE FAIR RUBBER E.V.
Fair Rubber e.V. is an NGO founded in 2012, which has initiated a special premium scheme that is unique in the world and promotes fair trading conditions for natural rubber as well as better working conditions in production. The world market price for natural rubber is so low that many small farmers normally cannot sell their rubber for a reasonable price. Fair Rubber e.V. helps by encouraging various companies to pay fair prices for the labour of rubber tappers.
FAIRRUBBER.ORG
Schwalbe joined the cooperation as the first manufacturer of tires worldwide. As part of the initiative, Schwalbe pays an additional fair trade premium of EUR 0.50 per kilogram rubber (dry goods). These funds go directly to a cooperative of 277 small farmers that has been founded specifically for this purpose and is located close to the Schwalbe factory on Java, Indonesia.
The amount of the premium is paid out in full to the small farmers every month via Fair Rubber and they get to decide for themselves how the money is spent. The premium helps small farmers to significantly improve the quality of their lives. For example, other supply partners have used them for expanding medical care services, water and power infrastructure or for educational resources in schools and kindergartens.
It took only one year for Fair Rubber and Schwalbe to set up the local structures and supply chains to start in April 2020.
The environment a benefits: Fair Rubber has adopted the environmental standards of the well-known Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) for its own admission criteria for small farmers to join the cooperative.
SCHWALBE TIRES WITH FAIR RUBBER
Fair trade rubber plays a central role in sustainable product development. In addition, Schwalbe puts emphasis on high-quality products with a long life-time. After all, only bicycle tires that last a long time will contribute to greener mobility. Currently, Fair Rubber is used specifically for e-bike tires:
SCHWALBE MARATHON E-PLUS
Schwalbe Marathon E-Plus is the first bicycle tire with its natural rubber content entirely sourced from fair trade suppliers. The tire has been specifically developed for e-bike use. Here, tires must sustain higher loads; normally, e-bike riders are faster and carry more weight due to the battery and motor. Marathon E-Plus is designed to last and combines durability, riding performance and reliable puncture protection with Fair Rubber.
MARATHON E-PLUS
SCHWALBE PICK-UP
Schwalbe Pick-Up is the new tire for e-cargo bikes. For cargo bikes, durability plays a central role, as they must sustain extreme loads. Schwalbe Pick-Up has been specifically designed for these requirements. Thanks to the special rubber mix and new Super Defense construction, the tire is not only extremely durable but also very nice to ride.
SCHWALBE PICK-UP
ALL SCHWALBE TIRES WITH FAIR RUBBER COME WITH A UNIQUE RUBBER HANGTAG.
