EXHIBITOR INTERVIEW KRATON Focused sustainability initiatives and strong partnerships within the industry are key to helping tire makers improve environmental standards without impairing product performance 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. In particular, 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. Pedro Moura Lopes, Kraton’s chief sustainability officer, chose the Tire Technology Expo Conference to share 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 following 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 London Business School and a master’s in chemical engineering from the Instituto Superior Técnico in Portugal. Most importantly, he has a desire to ensure 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.” Achieving the tire industry’s sustainability ambitions will require what Lopes described as “value chain collaboration” during his Current sustainability initiatives Kraton is focused on improving sustainability through various ongoing initiatives: • 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 58 www.tiretechnologyinternational.com March 2024