fewer emissions in the Schwalbe Group since 2018 (scopes 1–3, as of 06/30/2026)
sales share for products with green attributes
rCB contained in the tire portfolio
share of Fair Rubber in the tire portfolio (mass balance)
FOR US, A TIRE ISN’T JUST A PRODUCT BUT PART OF A CYCLE –
IN BOTH SENSES OF THE WORD.
RESPONSIBILITY MEANS REACHING DECISIONS TODAY THAT WILL STILL STAND TOMORROW.
For Frank Bohle, president and CEO of Schwalbe, responsibility starts with the willingness to take a long-term approach to development. In our interview, he talks about the bicycle as part of a larger mobility system, about cities like Copenhagen and Paris that didn’t turn into cycling cities overnight, about the family business entering its next generation and about why Schwalbe is staying the course while others are scaling down their sustainability efforts. It’s not about perfection but about continuously improving.
FOUR PILLARS. ONE GOAL.
At Schwalbe, ecological and social responsibility is part of the company’s DNA. Our actions are governed by our four pillars of responsibility: for the product (recycling systems and recycled and renewable materials), the company (climate protection, resource efficiency and transparency), the supply chain (fair working conditions, environmental standards and long-term partnerships) and society (mobility, inclusion and equal opportunities). The executive management holds overall responsibility, with operative control assumed by the CSR Unit. Progress is measured in emissions inventories, recycling figures and life cycle assessments.
THE NEXT FEW YEARS WILL BE DECISIVE. MEASURABLE GOALS BY 2030 WITH A CLEAR LONG-TERM ALIGNMENT.
We’re setting binding, measurable goals by 2030, defined in transition plans with interim milestones, measures, responsibilities and budgets. Here, our transformation matrix pools our four fields of action: net zero, the material loop, digital traceability and our social agenda. In addition, our long-term alignment describes the way forward without giving a target year or target value: we’re aiming to keep materials in the loop, reduce the use of new fossil materials, increase traceability and strengthen social inclusion. Net zero by 2040 is the only long-term goal validated by the SBTi.
Net Zero
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions to a science-based minimum – net zero throughout the entire value chain by 2040, validated by the SBTi
Material loop
Keep materials in the loop wherever possible while consistently reducing the use of new fossil raw materials
Digital traceability
Continuously improve transparency regarding the origin and use of our raw materials
Social agenda
Strengthen our long-term social impact and systematically promote social inclusion
FOCUSING ON THE TOPICS THAT MATTER.
At the beginning of 2026, we conducted a new materiality analysis, querying employees, partners in our supply chain, NGOs, associations and customer groups on the principle of double materiality. The following were very highly rated: customer concerns and product safety, corporate governance and compliance, the circular economy and recycling, innovation and basic and further training. Results confirm the importance of climate protection, sustainable materials, responsible supply chains and transparency and show how closely topics are interlinked throughout the product life cycle.
OUR CONTRIBUTION TO THE UN’S SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
With our CSR strategy, we’re consciously supporting six of the targets set by the United Nations: SDG 7 (clean energy at our production and other company sites), SDG 8 (training and education, working standards in the supply chain), SDG 9 (recycling system, circular products), SDG 12 (durable quality products, recyclable materials), SDG 13 (energy and mobility concept, climate conservation projects in Indonesia and Vietnam) and SDG 15 (BOSF, reforestation on Java and in Reichshof, biodiversity at our headquarters).