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Schwalbe launched the Green Marathon in June of 2023, and eight months on the German brand is now sharing detailed insights into the research methodology it has followed to measure and share the impact of this sustainability-focused product.
Positioned as “the world’s first bicycle tyre with a closed material loop”- Schwalbe has now presented a detailed life cycle assessment (LCA) to quantify the environmental impact of the Green Marathon.
The result: With 1.43 kg CO2 equivalents (CO2eq)*, the Green Marathon saves a total of 41% CO2eq compared to its predecessor model, thanks to recycled and renewable materials.
Its predecessor, the Marathon from 2010, already had a lower CO2eq footprint than other bicycle tyres thanks to the use of recycled materials, including in the puncture protection.
The life cycle assessment was calculated on the basis of strict scientific criteria, and in compliance with current standards.
Schwalbe worked closely with both suppliers and pre-suppliers to collect the relevant data.
Raw materials cause the majority of emissions
The product carbon footprint (PCF) calculated with the life cycle assessment provides a key finding: the majority of emissions, 62% in total, are caused by raw materials.
Approximately one-third is attributed to the energy consumption during production, while just under 3.5% is induced by transportation logistics.
This cements the importance of research into raw materials and materials for reducing environmental impacts.
Here, Schwalbe has been working intensively on the ecological material optimisation of all tyres and inner tubes since 2013.
Sebastian Bogdahn, environmental research and development manager, said: “The Green Marathon is the result of years of research and development work and a flagship product – this is underlined by the result of the life cycle assessment. At the same time, the work doesn’t stop there for us.
“Our goal is to create life cycle assessments for all tyres and tubes by 2025 and at the same time further reduce the environmental impact of our products.”
Schwalbe has achieved most of the CO2eq savings in the Green Marathon by using recycled and renewable raw materials.
The tyre is the first product to use 100% recycled carbon black (rCB). The rCB is a direct product of Schwalbe tyre recycling and replaces fossil-based carbon black.
What’s next?
The life cycle assessment for the Green Marathon reflects Schwalbe’s current status of sustainable product development and research.
The family-owned company is currently working at full speed to further develop its life cycle assessment methodology in order to calculate and publish life cycle assessments for all Schwalbe core products by 2025.
In addition to raw materials and production, the use phase and disposal or recycling of the products will also be included.
Detailed information on the calculation
To determine the CO2eq savings, a detailed PCF of both Marathon models was calculated according to DIN EN ISO 14067 and evaluated using the “LCA for Experts” software in accordance with the current IPCC AR6 standard (GWP 100, excl. biogenic CO2).
Specifically, the study is a “partial PCF”, which describes the total amount of greenhouse gases emitted by a tire from raw material extraction to the finished product (“cradle-to- gate”) and is expressed as CO2 equivalents.
This includes all raw materials that make up at least 5% by mass of the total weight of the tyre.
By 2025, the system boundary of the life cycle assessment is to be extended so that the complete product life cycle from raw material extraction to recycling (cradle-to- cradle) is mapped and all raw materials from 1% mass are included.
* The calculation is based on the best-selling tire size (40-622 with a weight of 810 grams for both models), the exact value varies for other tyre sizes.
