Goodyear going greener: Tire maker aims for net-zero emissions

AKRON—Goodyear has what it believes is a good plan for achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

The Akron-based tire maker said Dec. 17 that it is committed to hitting net-zero value chain targets for greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and has aligned its aims with the Science Based Targets initiative's Net-Zero Standard.

"Goodyear's net-zero goal and alignment to SBTi reflect our commitment to sustainability and reducing our carbon footprint," Rich Kramer, Goodyear chairman, CEO and president said in a statement. "As one of the world's largest tire manufacturers, we are committed to doing our part to implement transformative changes that will help protect our planet for future generations and build a more sustainable business for all of our stakeholders."

Goodyear also said it intends to achieve near-term science-based targets by 2030. It plans to submit its 2030 and 2050 targets to SBTi for independent validation next year.

Goodyear's net-zero goals fall in line with the company's stated sustainability strategy that rests on several key pillars. Among them are:

• Procure 100 percent renewable energy at facilities in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
• Embrace state-of-the-art technology in rubber compounding, tire construction and manufacturing to reduce emissions, weight and rolling resistance.
• Increase the use of alternative raw materials and reduce petroleum-based feedstock usage. (Goodyear aims to create a 100-percent sustainable-material, maintenance-free tire by 2030.)

Goodyear, which acquired Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. earlier this year, is the third-largest tire company worldwide, according to Rubber News data. The company operates 55 facilities in 23 countries, employing about 72,000.