- Sustainability is becoming mandatory: New regulations such as the EUDR and CSDDD oblige companies to ensure traceability, protect human rights and preserve forests in the supply chain.
- Smallholders at the center of risks: 85% of natural rubber comes from smallholders – low income, lack of digitalization and structural hurdles make compliance difficult.
- Stable partnerships as a solution: companies need to invest for the long term – in training
in training, certification and
direct cooperation with producers
Bonn, 21.08.2025; The Global Nature Fund (GNF) has published a new factsheet that shows processing companies concrete ways to make their natural rubber supply chains more sustainable and resilient. Against a backdrop of increasing regulatory requirements, environmental risks and global challenges, the paper identifies key risks – and shows how companies can effectively address them.
Natural rubber production is at a turning point: smallholder farmers, who supply around 85% of the world’s raw materials, are struggling with falling prices, a lack of traceability and increasing compliance pressure. At the same time, new EU regulations – such as the EUDR (EU regulation for deforestation-free products) and the CSDDD (due diligence directive) – are increasing the demands on companies to make their supply chains transparent and sustainable.
The factsheet “Sustainable rubber supply chains – challenges, laws, solutions” highlights the role of processing companies in particular. It shows why traditional procurement strategies are no longer sufficient – and how companies can achieve security of supply and legal compliance with systematic risk management, digital monitoring and long-term partnerships.
“Sustainability is no longer a voluntary extra. It is a basic prerequisite for securing long-term stability and access to important markets,” emphasizes Stefan Hörmann, Managing Director of the Global Nature Fund.
The factsheet focuses on specific approaches for action:
- Establishing traceability systems despite fragmented supply chains
- Involvement of smallholder farmers through training, partnership and fair prices
- Use of certifications such as Fair Rubber or FSC to ensure social and ecological standards
- Involvement in association and multi-stakeholder initiatives for the rubber industry
- Use of public funding instruments for sustainable investments
As part of the “Natural rubber supply chain – fair trade and corporate responsibility” project, the Global Nature Fund supports companies with information materials and advisory services in setting up sustainable procurement structures in order to identify and minimize environmental and human rights risks along the supply chain.
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 factsheet “Making the natural rubber supply chain sustainable” can be downloaded here: Global Nature Fund | Making the natural rubber supply chain sustainable
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 biological diversity as the basis of life for people and nature. The GNF focuses on nature conservation, climate protection, water protection and economy & sustainability.
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