Press release 20.06.2023
Tires with a closed material circuit:
Schwalbe introduces Green Marathon
So far the world's first bicycle tire made from used tires
A new standard in terms of environmental friendliness: With the Green Marathon, Schwalbe presents the first bicycle tire that closes the cycle and is made from used tires, among other things. It is also produced with 100% fair trade natural rubber and consists of 70 percent recycled and renewable materials. Schwalbe has achieved this share through many years of research and development work and includes the currently largest possible range of recycled and renewable raw materials. The production of the new Marathon saves more than a third CO2eQ compared to the previous model - about 34% CO2eQ. To determine the CO2 savings, a detailed Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) of both models was calculated and evaluated according to the current IPCC AR6 standard (GWP 100, excl. biogenic CO2). Frank Bohle, CEO of Ralf Bohle GmbH, which is behind Schwalbe: “The Green Marathon combines innovation and environmental friendliness on a new level. It is the result of years of research that we have done together with our production partner Hung-A. We at Schwalbe are extremely proud that we can present a model for the 40th anniversary of the popular marathon that represents a milestone in terms of ecological responsibility. And most importantly, the Green Marathon doesn't compromise on performance and continues to lead in terms of puncture protection and mileage.”
First product to emerge from Schwalbe's tire recycling
Right from the start, Schwalbe's aim was to develop the most environmentally friendly bicycle tire that has ever existed. In the summer of 2022, the family company presented the Schwalbe Recycling System, which was developed together with the TH Cologne and the recycling specialist Pyrum Innovations AG, the world's first and to date the only holistic process for recycling used bicycle tires. The Green Marathon is now the first product on the market that uses 100% recycled carbon black (rCB). The rCB is a direct product of the recycling process and replaces carbon black produced from fossil fuels. This saves 80% CO2eq compared to the previously common combustion of bicycle tires. In addition, the tire relies entirely on Fair Rubber. The fair trade natural rubber comes from certified tappers. Through Fair Rubber e.V., Schwalbe pays all small farmers at the start of the supply chain an additional premium of €0.50 per kilo of natural rubber. That corresponds to about a third of the current world market price for rubber.
Other environmentally friendly components of the Green Marathon:
• The ADDIX ECO rubber compound not only uses 100% recycled carbon black, but also consists of a particularly high proportion of natural rubber as well as recycled rubber and silica from rice hull ash. At the same time, it is 98% free of harmful substances.
• One third of the GreenGuard puncture protection belt is made from recycled latex products, the other two thirds are Fair Rubber.
• The bead wire is made from recycled steel.
Further information
Schwalbe UK LTD
Press Office
Hortonwood 30 | Shropshire TF1 7ET Telford
Phone: +441952602680 | press@schwalbe.com
www.schwalbe.com/en