As a long-established global supplier to the tire industry, Kraton specializes in tread enhancement, process enhancement and core rubber additives, helping tire manufacturers balance critical performance properties such as wet grip, rolling resistance and treadwear.
Kraton was at this year’s Tire Technology Expo to demonstrate its latest high-value performance solutions derived from pinewood-pulping co-products.
The company highlighted the unique properties of its polyterpene-based Sylvatraxx 8000 tread enhancement additive series, with a high bio-based content designed to optimize the balance between wet traction and rolling resistance in silica-filled passenger car tire treads, especially in high-performance all-season tires.
At Tire Technology Expo Conference, Kraton’s chief sustainability officer, Pedro Moura Lopes, shared his thoughts on how best to forge partnerships in the tire value chain for a more sustainable future.
“As CSO, I have the privilege of leading the corporate strategy, structure and governance to accelerate the organization’s sustainability transformation,” Lopes told Tire Technology International after the event. “My presentation focused on advancing the bio-based and circular economy through collaborative efforts across value chains.
“In today’s interconnected world, addressing global challenges requires a unified approach where stakeholders work together synergistically. At Kraton, we are committed to being dependable partners in the pursuit of a sustainable future. We strive to stay at the forefront of change, continuously adapting, evolving and setting precedents for others to follow.”
Appointed CSO in 2022, Lopes is responsible for Kraton’s sustainability strategy, direction and initiatives. He has an MBA from Imperial College Business School in London and a master’s in chemical engineering from the Instituto Superior Técnico in Portugal, alongside a commitment to ensuring that the company explores every opportunity to help its customers reduce their impact on the environment.
During his presentation, Lopes underscored the indispensable role of collaboration and data-driven approaches in driving innovation and fostering meaningful change across industries.
“Central to our sustainability endeavors is the recognition that data serves as the currency of progress,” he explained. “The flow of data provides critical evidence of our environmental footprint and guides our decision making, from upstream processes to end consumers. We place great emphasis on collaborative engagements with suppliers and customers to ensure the reliability and transparency of product carbon footprint data, delivering tangible value to all stakeholders involved.”
Current sustainability initiatives
Kraton is focused on improving sustainability through various ongoing initiatives, which include:
- Optimizing its direct operations (Scope 1 and 2) by minimizing environmental impact and investing in renewable energy sources.
- Showcasing sustainability leadership at its fossil-free* and ISCC Plus-certified manufacturing facility in Sandarne, Sweden, where one of its tire solutions, Sylvatraxx 2097, is manufactured.
- Establishing baselines and setting targets for Scope 3 emissions to address indirect environmental impacts across the company’s value chain.
- Improving resource efficiency, particularly in water and waste management, through innovative practices.
- Supporting customers’ sustainability journeys by providing transparent data from the Kraton lifecycle assessment program, USDA-certified bio-based content certification and ISCC Plus certification of Kraton operations, to enable mass balance accounting and make credible claims about the use of more sustainable raw materials.
* Based on Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions assessment conducted in November 2023.
Tire value chain
Achieving the tire industry’s sustainability ambitions will require what Lopes described as “value chain collaboration” during his presentation – but where exactly does the company currently sit in that chain?
“Kraton plays a key role by supplying innovative solutions to tire manufacturers, particularly in the realm of specialty tread enhancements that enable optimization of traction, rolling resistance and tread wear,” explained Lopes.
“Ultimately, collaboration is key to driving innovation and solving complex challenges in the value chain”
Pedro Moura Lopes, chief sustainability officer, Kraton
“Our company specializes in developing proprietary bio-based alternatives tailored to meet the precise requirements of our customers. This strategic focus on customization allows us to deliver sustainable solutions that address our customers’ unique needs and exemplify our unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship and innovation.
“Recent changes in the tire value chain have been driven by increasing demand for tailored bio-based offerings that enhance performance while reducing carbon footprints. Kraton is responsive to these shifts, actively developing sustainable solutions to meet evolving market demands and align with broader sustainability goals.”
Future goals
The company has identified specific areas within the tire value chain that would foster further improvement. These include the harmonization of definitions and shared carbon system boundaries. “Establishing consistent carbon accounting terminology and boundaries can lead to improved transparency, clearer communication and better-informed decision making throughout the value chain,” said Lopes.
Kraton also aims to maximize efficiency and effectiveness by aligning sustainability, innovation and operational excellence goals across all levels of the value chain. “This will help to create a unified vision and drive collective action toward shared objectives,” he said.
“Ultimately, collaboration is key to driving innovation and solving complex challenges in the value chain. Kraton emphasizes the importance of cooperation among stakeholders, including suppliers, manufacturers and customers, to share knowledge, resources and best practices, leverage each other’s strengths
and achieve common goals.”
Overall, Kraton’s presentation at this year’s conference conveyed an important message about the power of merging passion for sustainability with practical business principles to drive positive impact.
Lopes urged attendees to recognize the tremendous potential of combining passion with strategic decision making to achieve their environmental and business goals.
“I hope the audience found the examples provided to be relevant and practical,” concluded Lopes. “I want attendees to feel empowered to act in their organizations and implement similar approaches, moving forward.”
This article originally appeared in the March 2024 Issue of Tire Technology International. To view the magazine in full, click here.
