CSR-VISION
We are leading in the development of environmentally friendly products, pioneering in the circular economy and taking responsibility for future generations
PURPOSE
Schwalbe, for every cyclist the right tire with the highest quality and maximum durability
MISSION
The four pillars of Schwalbe’s responsibility: products, company, supply chain, social action.
Responsibility
for the next generations
With our first CSR report we are not only setting goals, but we are also officially establishing our social and environmental responsibility throughout the company. It not only provides information for our employees and the industry as a whole, but also serves as an inspiration to further develop their responsibility – for the people and for our planet.
The CSR Report is based on the Sustainability Reporting Standards of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI Standards). These internationally recognized guidelines enable standardization and comparability of all sustainability topics between different companies, even outside the bicycle industry.
The four pillars of the Schwalbe responsibility
Product
CLOSED CIRCULAR ECONOMY
- Tire recycling
- Tube recycling
50 YEARS OF QUALITY
- Long-lasting quality products
- Marathon quality:
From Kathmandu to Bergneustadt on one Marathon tire (world traveler Wolfgang Reiche)
MATERIAL OPTIMIZATION
- Material Screening in accordance with C2C (ingredients, renewable ingredients, detoxing)
PRODUCT INNOVATION
- Aerothan (TPU-material, sustainable high-end product)
- Green Guard (first puncture protection, made of one third recycled material)
- Green Compound (rubber compund exclusively made of renewable materials)
WASTE MINIMIZATION
- Ressource-efficient packaging
- 100 % recyclable packaging
Company
EMPLOYEES
- Comprehensive support & assistance
- Long-term employment (further education, cycle to work scheme etc.)
NEW HEADQUARTERS
- 70 % of materials used are circular
ENERGY CONCEPT
- Electricity from 100 % renewable energy sources (HQ – 311 t CO2 savings/year)
MOBILITY CONCEPT
- Sustainable mobility (cycle friendly employer, switch to e-mobility)
SUSTAINABLE PROCUREMENT
- Highest standards for purchasing (e.g. office supplies)
Supply chain
IMPROVE LIVING STANDARDS
- Fair trade natural rubber (Fair Rubber e.V.)
- Higher wages and better work conditions
GLOBAL ENERGY CONCEPT
- Use of organic waste instead of coal
SUSTAINABLE LOGISTICS
- Selection of providers based on sustainability criteria
Social commitment
SOCIAL OUTREACH
- Promotion of the wheelchair division (extensive portfolio for everyday activities and sports)
- Sponsoring of parasports
CHARITY PROJECTS
- Chancenwerk
- World Bicycle Relief
- Children for a better world
PROMOTION OF SPORTS
- Sponsoring athletes
- Regional support (VfL Gummersbach, TTC Bergneustadt)
BIODIVERSITY PROTECTION
- Borneo Orang-Utan Survival Foundation
- Greening of headquarters for greater biodiversity
- Rooftop garden (herbs and vegetables for the canteen)
FUTURE UNDERTAKINGS – OUR CSR MARATHON
As one of the first companies in the bicycle industry, we have set ambitious CSR goals in our four pillars of responsibility.
Product
Presentation and start of tyre recycling
Presentation of first product with 100 % RCB (Recovered Carbon Black)
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for all core products
CONEBI/CIE Sustainable packaging commitment working with supply chain Partners to ensure that all packaging in the supply chain is reusable, recyclable, or compostable
14 million recycled tyres
13 million recycled inner tubes
Company
Offset for all non-avoidable flight emissions (business travel)
Sustainable mobility for HQ complete, holistic onboarding programme
Energy transition: 100 % use of renewable energies in Germany
Internal climate goal: reduce scope 1 & 2 emissions by 55 %; expand the inclusion of scope 3 emissions
Supply chain
Membership in Responsible Sports Initiative (RSI) to launch supply chain transparency project Expansion Fair Rubber: +739 % Membership growth
Audits of the JV factories in IN and VN
Application of code of conduct for the entire group of suppliers / sub-suppliers and accessories suppliers
Additional external auditing of the code of conduct
Energy transition: expansion of renewable energies at the production sites
social commitment
Children’s project: establishment of a separate children's advisory council (consisting of children of employees' families)
Begin of support for social projects in the production countries and for people in the resource extraction process
Share of cycling mobility in commuting 25 %
Tire Recycling
TURNING USED INTO NEW
Schwalbe is the first manufacturer in the world to recycle bicycle tires, this saves 80 % of emissions.
learn more
SUPPLY CHAIN RESPONSIBILITY
Compliance with ecological and social standards within the supply chain is an essential issue for us. We, like all companies, we are called upon to analyse our value chain.
Cooperation with Fair Rubber e.V.
In cooperation with Fair Rubber e. V. we are committed to the fair trade of natural rubber and thus actively support the improvement of the living and working conditions of rubber tappers.
THE NEW COMPANY HEADQUARTERS IN REICHSHOF
Open, spacious, green, and stimulating – this is the new heart of our Headquarters in Reichshof. Built according to the C2C principle, we have used 70 percent materials that can be recycled at the end of their utilisation. Another 28 percent can be downcycled.
The new building reflects our future-oriented commitment to people and society down to the last detail.
learn more
ENERGY AND EMISSIONS –
GREENHOUSE GAS BALANCE
With no more burnt tyres. Through this mission we aim to actively contribute toward the reduction of the CO2 footprint for bicycle mobility. In doing so, we conserve valuable resources.
Emissions reduction target: 55 % by 2030
Our current emissions reduction target is minus 55 percent by 2030 compared to the base year 2018. To achieve this, we aim to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions that occur at our own sites, through business trips by employees, or through the manufacture of our products. In addition, we shall reserve the right to compensate for emissions that we cannot avoid.
learn more
Supplier Code of Conduct
Of course, we cannot solve all Problems alone. But it is our responsibility to help in shaping change, as the examples in this report show. We pursue this responsibility throughout the entire value chain and strive to create trust and build resilient partnerships.
We work towards a transparent and traceable supply chain to protect all stakeholders and meet our high standards. Our long-standing business relationships with our partners and our code of conduct provide us with a Guiding framework.
Supplier Code of conduct