Schwalbe celebrates five-year anniversary with Fair Rubber

Schwalbe has been actively improving the living conditions of the people whose daily work forms the basis of every bicycle tire for five years. In 2020, the family-owned company became the first tire manufacturer worldwide to join Fair Rubber e.V. Since then, much has changed: the number of members in the supported cooperatives has risen from 277 to over 4,500, and the share of fair-trade natural rubber now accounts for around one third. Schwalbe intends to continue on this path long-term, targeting a 100% Fair Rubber share by 2035.

The foundations for a bicycle tire lie in agriculture. Natural rubber is an agricultural product, and its harvest requires skilled, precise work. Unlike cocoa or coffee, certifications for fair trade are still hardly established for rubber, even though many everyday products contain rubber. “The reality for many rubber tappers is characterized by insecure incomes, fluctuating world market prices, and little appreciation for their work. Together with Fair Rubber e.V., we create structures that enable more stability, open up new perspectives, and make their work visible. Fair conditions and environmentally friendly cultivation practices have a particularly large impact here on people’s quality of life and on the protection of natural ecosystems,” explains Felix Jahn, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Schwalbe.

A central element of the commitment is the fair-trade premium of €0.50 per kilogram of natural rubber. The premium goes directly to the farmers, which decide locally and independently how the funds are used. For example, it can serve as direct support for members or be invested in community projects. A large portion is now invested in agroforestry projects that protect the forest’s natural diversity while at the same time enabling long-term, stable incomes. The combination of rubber trees and a variety of plant species creates resilient ecosystems that promote biodiversity and strengthen communities.

The certified natural rubber used by Schwalbe comes mainly from so-called jungle plantations in Indonesia. This method of cultivation preserves the structure of the rainforest and differs significantly from monocultures, which often contribute to the destruction of sensitive ecosystems. By working with the cooperatives, Schwalbe contributes to a more socially just and environmentally friendly supply chain.

For its commitment, Schwalbe was awarded the German Federal Government’s CSR Prize in 2025 in the category “Good Business Practices.”