Linglong Tire Unveils 85% Sustainable Tire, Eyes Green Leadership

MONTREUX, Switzerland – May 07, 2026 – Chinese tire manufacturer Linglong Tire has signaled a major acceleration in its sustainability ambitions, unveiling a new concept tire composed of 85% sustainable materials at the prestigious World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) Annual Meeting. The announcement, made in the heart of global sustainability discussions, positions the company as a formidable player in the race to decarbonize the automotive industry.

During the late April summit, which gathered nearly 600 leaders from top global companies, Linglong was officially welcomed as a member of the WBCSD. The company's president, Zhou Lingkun, addressed the "China Sustainable Business Practice" session, emphasizing a strategic shift that embeds environmental responsibility into the company's core. "In the context of global 'dual carbon' goals, sustainable development has become a mandatory task for businesses," Zhou stated, outlining a vision for a green ecosystem across the entire industrial chain.

A New Benchmark in Green Tire Technology

The centerpiece of Linglong's presentation was its groundbreaking concept tire. Comprised of over 60% bio-based renewable materials and approximately 25% recycled content, the tire represents a significant leap forward in eco-friendly product engineering. This new benchmark places Linglong at the forefront of the Chinese tire industry and among the global leaders in sustainable material innovation.

To achieve this high percentage, the company has moved beyond traditional petroleum-based ingredients, employing novel materials that drastically reduce the product's carbon footprint from its source. Key innovations include the use of rice husk ash silica, a waste byproduct of agriculture, as a substitute for conventional silica. The tire also incorporates advanced bio-based rubbers, such as biotechnical (itaconate) rubber and corn-based feedstocks, which can cut emissions by up to 35% compared to their petrochemical counterparts.

Critically, Linglong asserts that these green innovations do not compromise performance. The company claims the 85% sustainable tire meets the EU Tire Label's highest 'A' grade standards for both rolling resistance and wet braking. While this claim is based on internal testing for a concept tire, it builds on a credible track record. In 2024, Linglong introduced a 79% sustainable tire that achieved top A-grade ratings for noise and rolling resistance, suggesting the company has the R&D capability to merge sustainability with safety and efficiency. This latest development is a stepping stone towards an even more ambitious target: a 100% sustainable material tire by 2040.

Ambitious Goals on the Road to Net-Zero

The new tire is the most visible part of a much broader and deeper corporate transformation. Linglong has committed to an aggressive decarbonization roadmap, setting clear carbon neutrality targets that are notably ahead of the curve. The company aims for a 52.07% reduction in carbon emissions by 2035 and pledges to achieve complete net-zero emissions by 2050, aligning with the European Union's ambitious timeline.

This strategy is supported by a multi-billion dollar investment in what the company calls a "five-new" pillar approach: new materials, advanced technologies, modern processes, smart machinery, and renewable energy. This is not just a theoretical framework. The company is already implementing these principles, with a 35-megawatt solar system being installed at a new factory in Brazil and its LLIE factory, which began production in 2024, serving as a showcase for green manufacturing through extensive use of AI and industrial robotics.

These tangible efforts have earned Linglong growing recognition from international ESG rating agencies. In 2024, its MSCI ESG rating was upgraded to BB, and it achieved a top-ranking AA level in key Chinese ESG evaluations, reflecting a tangible commitment overseen by a board-level Sustainability Committee.

Leading the Charge in a Competitive Field

Linglong is not operating in a vacuum. The entire global tire industry is under immense pressure to reduce its environmental impact, and the field is crowded with established giants. Competitors like Michelin, Goodyear, and Bridgestone have all set long-term goals for 100% sustainable materials, typically targeting dates between 2040 and 2050. Michelin, a long-recognized leader, has been a vocal proponent of sustainable mobility for years.

However, Linglong's announcement of a functional, high-performance concept tire at an 85% sustainable material threshold is a powerful statement of current capability. While many share similar long-term visions, Linglong's demonstrable progress puts it at the cutting edge of the material innovation race. The company's stated goal to have 85% sustainable materials in all its tires by 2028 indicates a rapid plan to scale this technology from concept to mass market, potentially disrupting the competitive landscape and accelerating the industry-wide shift.

Building a Sustainable Supply Chain from the Ground Up

Perhaps the most significant indicator of Linglong's commitment lies in its efforts to reform its supply chain. The company's new membership in the WBCSD is complemented by its pioneering role in the Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber (GPSNR), being the first tire manufacturer from mainland China to join the platform.

Membership in GPSNR is not merely symbolic; it comes with stringent and verifiable commitments. Linglong's Sustainable Natural Rubber Policy now aligns with GPSNR principles, which include a strict zero-deforestation policy with a cutoff date of April 1, 2019. The policy also mandates the protection of High Conservation Values (HCVs), prevention of peatland development, and adherence to international human rights norms, including the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

This commitment extends to supporting the livelihoods of smallholder farmers through training and promoting supply chain traceability to root out social and environmental risks. Furthermore, the company is actively integrating circular economy principles by promoting the use of liquid waste rubber and pyrolysis carbon black from end-of-life tires. By addressing sustainability at the very source of its raw materials, Linglong is building a foundation of credibility that extends far beyond the specifications of a single product, signaling a comprehensive and strategic pivot toward a greener future for mobility.