Sustainable natural rubber: Global Nature Fund shows ways to make supply chains more sustainable
- Practical innovations: Agroforestry systems, multi-stakeholder dialogs and social premiums are key elements of responsible sourcing.
- Help for companies: GNF factsheets offer SMEs in particular concrete approaches for establishing a transparent supply chain
- Securing the future through sustainability: GNF is committed to fair natural rubber production.
Bonn, 28.01.2026 – Natural rubber is the “silent giant” of our modern economy. More than 50,000 products – from tires and mattresses to condoms and medical supplies – contain the white gold of the tropics. In view of rising global demand, the importance of sustainable cultivation methods is growing, both to protect the rainforests and to secure the livelihoods of over six million small farmers. The Global Nature Fund (GNF) presents innovative approaches that already offer companies more security in their supply chains.
Focus on responsible supply chains
“Effective climate and species protection as well as fair trade conditions require clear standards and their consistent implementation,” explains Gudrun Schlöpker, project manager at GNF. “Companies that invest in sustainability today create long-term market value and planning security.”
Innovative approaches: Pioneers demonstrate feasibility
Actors such as the Fair Rubber Association prove that sustainable supply chains are already working in practice. Here, the participating brands pay a premium of 50 eurocents per kilogram of dry rubber to the people who grow or tap the rubber as smallholders. They organize themselves into registered groups and decide together democratically on how to use this bonus.
At the same time, they undertake to comply with standards in return. For example, the rubber only comes from areas that have not been deforested (after the cut-off date of 31.12.2020).
The GNF recommends three central levers to support the transformation of supply chains across the board:
- Agroforestry systems: Cultivation in mixed crops protects biodiversity and makes smallholders less dependent on market fluctuations thanks to additional harvests (e.g. cocoa or fruit).
- Exploiting the opportunities offered by digitalization: Satellite monitoring makes it possible to map the development of a landscape over time and deforestation becomes visible. Modern traceability tools enable producers, retailers and end customers to visualize the connections in their value chain and make it clear which product batches have been sourced from where.
- Fair trading conditions: When partners work together over the long term, it gives everyone involved security and trust. In this way, prices can be paid that also cover the actual costs of environmental protection and good working conditions. This creates transparency and ensures that everyone in the supply chain takes responsibility.
Support for SMEs
As part of the “Natural rubber supply chain – fair trade and corporate responsibility” project, the GNF supports small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in particular with information material and advice. A practical factsheet was created and companies were informed in discussions, for example at Eurobike and as part of the rubber association’s work. The aim of the project is to identify and minimize environmental and human rights risks along the supply chain at an early stage.
The project is supported by ENGAGEMENT GLOBAL with funds from the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and the North Rhine-Westphalia Foundation for Environment and Development.
Free download:
The two factsheets “Making the natural rubber supply chain sustainable” and “Natural rubber – much more than just rubber” are available to download free of charge and you can find more information about the “Natural rubber supply chains” project here: Natural rubber supply chain – Global Nature Fund
About the Global Nature Fund (GNF)
The Global Nature Fund (GNF) is an internationally active foundation registered in Germany. The GNF is committed to sustainable global development within planetary boundaries through worldwide nature and environmental protection projects. The aim is to promote a healthy planet and intact biodiversity as the basis of life for people and nature. The GNF focuses on nature conservation, climate protection, water protection and business & sustainability.
www.globalnature.org
Contact:
Global Nature Fund (Radolfzell office)
Tina Feil
Communications & Marketing Manager
Global Nature Fund
Fritz-Reichle-Ring 4
78315 Radolfzell
Phone: +49 7732 9995 – 874
E-mail: feil@globalnature.org
Global Nature Fund (Bonn office)
Gudrun Schlöpker
Project manager
Kaiser-Friedrich-Str. 11
53113 Bonn
Phone: +49 228 184 86 94 11
E-mail: schloepker@globalnature.org
