Sustainable Mobility Begins at the Factory A Tyre Manufacturer’s Perspective

Conversations around sustainable mobility often focus on the vehicle — its emissions, battery, or efficiency. But the journey toward truly green mobility begins much earlier — on the factory floor.

From metals and polymers to tyres and electronics, every component contributes to the lifecycle emissions of a vehicle. As automakers set ambitious net-zero targets, it’s time to include suppliers and manufacturing processes in the sustainability equation.

According to a 2023 World Economic Forum report, nearly 70% of a vehicle’s total carbon footprint over its lifetime can be traced to its *supply chain*. Tyres, in particular, have a significant embedded carbon footprint — from raw material extraction to energy-intensive curing and moulding operations. The move toward sustainable mobility must include decarbonising these upstream processes.

Green manufacturing practices — such as switching to renewable energy, reducing process waste, and integrating circular design — are gaining traction across India’s auto and components sector. The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) has reported that 50% of its members are already sourcing over a third of their electricity needs from renewables. And with policy tools like the Perform, Achieve, Trade (PAT) scheme and Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), the sector is primed for deeper decarbonisation.

At CEAT, we’ve approached this by not just creating tyres that are lighter and more fuel-efficient, but by embedding sustainability at the manufacturing level. Over 50% of our energy consumption now comes from non-fossil sources — solar, wind, and biofuels like rice husk briquettes. One of our plants alone achieved a reduction of 26,000+ metric tonnes in direct emissions by shifting to biomass-based fuel.

But sustainability isn't only about energy. It’s also about circularity. Leading OEMs are now encouraging suppliers to reduce material wastage and design for recyclability. In the tyre industry, this translates into tread patterns that extend tyre life, materials that lower rolling resistance, and construction techniques that use fewer virgin inputs.

Ultimately, green mobility is not just about the vehicle on the road — it’s about every cog in the wheel that gets it there. As consumer awareness grows and regulations tighten, supply chain sustainability will no longer be optional. Manufacturers must adopt a cradle-to-gate view of carbon accountability.

World Earth Day is a reminder that true change is systemic. If we want to decarbonise transportation, we must start long before the engine starts.

Jignesh Sharda is Senior Vice President Quality Assurance at CEAT Ltd. Views expressed are the author's own.