Schwalbe has recycled around 2.5 million bicycle tyres and 18.3 million inner tubes worldwide since launching its respective recycling systems, according to figures published alongside its new 2025/2026 CSR magazine.
The family-owned company’s update, released on 4 November, details progress across recycling, fairly-traded natural rubber and greenhouse gas emissions.
The share of fairly-traded natural rubber in Schwalbe’s tyre range stands at 40.98%. The company said this is accounted for across the supply chain using a mass balance approach, rather than being physically allocated to individual tyres.
As a member of the Fair Rubber Association, Schwalbe pays an additional premium of €0.50 per kilogram of dry rubber for certified natural rubber. It said the premium goes directly to local producers and, depending on the region and plantation, represents around 50–100% more income than under typical market conditions.
Schwalbe also reported a 62.38% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions across Scopes 1–3 at Schwalbe Germany and its subsidiaries, compared with its 2018 baseline. Emissions in production were down 31.5% against the same base year. The figures were calculated in accordance with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol.
Products containing recycled or renewable materials, or included in the Fair Rubber calculation, account for 88% of sales, the company said.
Frank Bohle, CEO of Schwalbe, said: “At Schwalbe, responsibility is part of how we see ourselves as a company. That’s why we have been working on topics such as recycling, the circular economy, fairly-traded natural rubber, and emissions reduction for many years.”
He added: “We believe companies should take responsibility for the impact of their actions. This isn’t about perfection. It’s about continuously improving and making use of the opportunities we have as a company.”
The magazine also highlights the company’s Children’s Advisory Board, which has funded 20 projects since 2024. Twice a year, children of Schwalbe employees independently decide how to allocate a €10,000 budget to social projects.
