Challenges
- Procuring sustainable natural rubber
- Implementing supplier management and responding to conflict minerals risks
- Promoting efficient logistics
Relevant stakeholders
- Direct
- Suppliers, local communities
- Indirect
- Shareholders and investors, creditors, industry groups
Our policy
The Toyo Tire Group has established the Toyo Tire Group Basic Purchasing Policy and seeks to secure the appropriate product quality and price through fair transactions. Based on the Toyo Tire Group CSR Procurement Guidelines and the Sustainable Natural Rubber Procurement Policy, we work with our suppliers to promote sustainable procurement, with the goal of mitigating, preventing, and minimizing the negative impacts of our corporate activities on the environment and society. Together, we also aim to improve our corporate value and competitiveness. Moreover, we help create sustainable logistics by improving the productivity and efficiency of truck transportation and ensuring safe cargo handling operations.
Toyo Tire Group Basic Purchasing Policy
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Compliance
Comply with applicable laws, regulations, and social norms and strictly maintain confidentiality in all purchasing activities.
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Partnership
Build and maintain an honest, healthy, and cooperative relationship with suppliers as equal partners.
Aim for mutual growth and development through enhanced communication and stronger bonds of mutual trust. -
Transparent and fair trade
When selecting suppliers, assess them from a comprehensive standpoint that takes into account their willingness to share and collaborate on CSR initiatives as well as on quality, price, delivery, and sustainable supply capacity.
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Environmental responsibility
Promote purchasing activities that also aim to reduce impact to the global environment.
TOYO TIRE Group CSR Procurement Guidelines
Policy on Sustainable Natural Rubber Procurement
Responsible executive (as of April 2026)
Director Corporate Officer and Vice President of Business Headquarters
Organizational responsibilities (as of April 2026)
The Sustainable Supply Chain Task Force, established under the Sustainability Committee, discusses action plans, targets, and KPIs related to ESG issues in the supply chain, while the Sustainability Committee regularly checks and monitors the status of these activities.
Reporting systems
- Reporting hotline (whistle-blowing system): For executives, employees and suppliers
- Customer Relations Department: For customers (consumers) and local communities
- Online inquiry form: For customers (consumers), shareholders and investors, and NGOs
- Consultation Desk for Compliance with the Antimonopoly Act: For employees
- Dedicated Natural Rubber Supply Chain Desk: For customers (consumers) and suppliers
Implementing supplier management
Engaging suppliers through guidelines
We have formulated the Toyo Tire Group CSR Procurement Guidelines by incorporating feedback from environmental NGOs, and request all suppliers to pursue activities in accordance with these guidelines to help address environmental and social issues across our entire supply chain from production through consumption. We are also appealing to our suppliers to help convey the purpose and nature of these guidelines further up the supply chain. The guidelines are reviewed whenever there is change in social demands or the business environment. We have published the guidelines in Japanese, English, and Chinese as we expand our global procurement.
To ensure the fair and objective assessment of supply chain risks, in 2022 we formed a contract with EcoVadis,*1a third-party organization that conducts CSR assessments. We have since been commissioning assessments of our suppliers’ environmental and social initiatives, including those on decarbonization, water management, environmental protection, human rights, safety, anti-corruption and fair business practices.
Our initial aim was to assess suppliers that account for at least 95% of total tire raw materials transaction value by the end of 2025. By the end of 2025, we have achieved that intended goal, having assessed suppliers accounting for 96% of the transaction value. From fiscal 2026, we have set a sustainability evaluation benchmark at 45 points and aim to achieve a procurement ratio of 95% or higher in terms of tire raw materials transaction value by fiscal 2030 from suppliers who have achieved the 45-point benchmark or above. At the end of 2025, the procurement ratio from suppliers with a score of 45 points or more stood at 94%. Going forward, we will encourage suppliers who have not yet undergone the assessment process to do so, and ask suppliers that fell short of the benchmark score to retake the assessment and attend EcoVadis seminars. Moreover, if a supplier continues to score below the benchmark, or has not been assessed, for three or more consecutive years, we will consider taking measures such as holding internal discussions regarding the continuation of the business relationship.
In terms of decarbonization initiatives, we have been conducting our own surveys of existing suppliers since 2021. In fiscal 2025, after acquiring SBT certification in November 2024, we started to encourage suppliers to set their own science-based CO2 emissions reduction targets. Specifically, we ask suppliers to watch videos summarizing our approach and future initiatives and to participate in surveys to facilitate accurate understanding of actual circumstances. We will promote these activities as part of our drive to reduce environmental impact in our supply chain.
In addition, we have begun full operation of supplier screenings (for legal risks such as inclusion on national sanctions lists) in fiscal 2025. We will use these methods to conduct combined evaluations of suppliers moving forward.
- *1 EcoVadis Japan Co., Ltd.: Used in 180 countries around the world, EcoVadis’ sustainable procurement ratings platform has supported 130,000 companies in over 200 industries. EcoVadis provides a comprehensive assessment of corporate sustainability from the perspectives of environment, labor and human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement.
- EcoVadis Japan Co., Ltd.
- https://ecovadis.com/ja/
Grievance mechanism
The Toyo Tire Group has established a dedicated consultation desk for the anonymous communication of complaints or queries relating to the natural rubber supply chain. Suppliers are informed of the consultation desk through our Sustainable Natural Rubber Procurement Policy. No reports were received from suppliers in 2025.
Fair and transparent transactions, and thorough compliance
We declared our commitment to free competition and fair trade in each country and region in the Toyo Tire Group Code of Conduct. We comply with antimonopoly and subcontracting laws, pursue fair procurement activities, comply with import- and export-related laws and regulations, and ensure proper labeling and product descriptions.
We ensure that our business activities are based on fair and free competition by establishing purchasing regulations that stipulate thorough implementation of fair and non-discriminatory business dealings and prohibit the development of personal interests with suppliers. We have also established anti-cartel regulations to prevent cartels and bid-rigging activities that are prohibited under antimonopoly laws or any action that could be construed in such a way.
For purchasing transactions, we continue to independently monitor the status of compliance with the subcontracting law using a checklist prepared together with the Procurement Division, Legal Department and Compliance Department. The checklist is used to check whether the subcontracting law applies and if so, whether there are any omissions in the documentation and statements that have to be prepared and stored. We also use e-learning platforms to regularly conduct seminars on subcontracting law and other regulations. These initiatives help promote information sharing within the Group, increase the knowledge of staff responsible for subcontracting transactions, and ensure a consistent level of understanding among them.
To prevent any fraud or bid rigging caused by contact between suppliers’ staff responsible for procurement and to reduce bidding costs, the Group has introduced an electronic bidding system for selecting suppliers and has engaged in fair procurement activities at major purchasing sites around the world.
Procuring sustainable natural rubber
It is essential to build a supply chain that supports sustainable procurement in order to maintain a secure and stable supply of raw materials. The securing of a stable natural rubber supply into the future is an important management issue for a business group like ours that uses natural rubber as the main raw material. The natural rubber industry is facing issues relating to deforestation at production sites and infringement of local residents’ rights. We recognize the importance of striving to solve these problems across the entire supply chain from production through consumption.
International cooperation for building the supply chain
There is a worldwide movement to realize the sustainable procurement of natural rubber. Toyo Tire Corporation is a member of the Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber (GPSNR)*2 launched in 2018 under the leadership of the Tire Industry Project (TIP), which is part of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). As a member, we participate in discussions designed to solve relevant issues. We are working to prevent deforestation, conserve biodiversity and water resources, respect human rights and support local communities, improve the productivity of natural rubber, and improve the transparency of our supply chain. We also exchange information with civil society sectors (NGOs, etc.) with specialized knowledge on environmental and social issues at natural rubber production sites.
Our aim going forward is to continue to cooperate with international initiatives and stakeholders and to build a sustainable natural rubber supply chain across our whole value chain.
- *2 A platform that seeks to transcend industrial boundaries and ensure that the production and use of the world’s natural rubber is carried out in a way that is more socially and environmentally conscious
Financially supporting smallholder natural rubber farmers and forest conservation projects through GPSNR
Since fiscal 2025, we have contributed to the promotion of sustainable natural rubber by funding various projects through GPSNR including supporting smallholder farmers, environmental and pesticide management, environmental protection, forest conservation and restoration, and regulatory compliance.
Promoting sustainable procurement
Based on the guidelines for incorporating GPSNR’s Principles of Sustainable Natural Rubber into our business activities as a tire manufacturer, we conducted a thorough review of the themes related to natural rubber procurement that had been defined as part of our CSR Procurement Guidelines. From 2021, we strengthened our implementation through a separate Sustainable Natural Rubber Procurement Policy.
That policy is designed to improve the effectiveness of initiatives relating to healthy ecosystems, human rights and communities, and was formulated by incorporating feedback from environmental NGOs.
Following the publication of the new policy in July 2021, we conducted a survey to inform suppliers about the policy and learn about their own initiatives. Every supplier responded to the survey and we were able to confirm the current situation at each supplier. Now, we are promoting activities to ensure traceability and protect the environment based on activity plans formulated by our Supply Chain Task Force.
One such activity involves steady preparation of an appropriate response to the mandatory EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which covers natural rubber among other commodities. By the end of 2025, we had gained a clear understanding of the harvesting regions for approximately 40% of our natural rubber procurement by volume.
Since 2023 have been making annual donations to an international environmental organization to help protect forests.
We will continue to cooperate with international initiatives and stakeholders to build a sustainable natural rubber supply chain.
Responding to conflict minerals risks
Conflict minerals response
The purchase of conflict minerals (tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold) and cobalt mined in conflict areas or high-risk areas may be used as a source of funds for local armed groups, or may encourage corrupt practices such as human rights violations, bribery, and money laundering. In Europe and the U.S., manufacturers are legally obliged to conduct due diligence throughout their supply chains. In such areas, our Group policy is to procure mined and manufactured minerals and raw materials that have not been involved in any human rights violations, environmental destruction, conflicts, or corruption. We enlist the cooperation of suppliers to trace the raw materials we purchase back to the smelters in order to ensure that they are not linked to such inhumane acts. If there are any concerns of involvement, we will demand corrective action through our suppliers.
Promoting efficient logistics
Relevant stakeholders
- Direct
- Suppliers, local communities
- Indirect
- Shareholders and investors, creditors, industry groups
Responsible executive (as of April 2026)
Director Corporate Officer and Vice President of Business Headquarters
Efficient logistics promotion system
We have set up a task force led by the General Manager of the SCM Division and are working with the managers of six logistics bases in Japan.
Reporting systems
- Reporting hotline (whistle-blowing system): For executives, employees and suppliers
- Customer Relations Department: For customers (consumers) and local communities
- Online inquiry form: For customers (consumers), shareholders and investors, and NGOs
Activities
We are promoting efficient and sustainable logistics to address the growing shortage of truck drivers and changes in the logistics industry environment. Based on the amended Act on the Advancement of Logistics Efficiency, which will come into full effect in 2026, we are building on past initiatives as a specified consigner, such as the appointment of a Chief Logistics Officer (CLO) and the formulation of medium- to long-term plans, to further strengthen company-wide management systems.
Going forward, we will press ahead with initiatives that improve logistics productivity while reducing driver workloads and ensuring safety by establishing KPIs relating to truck wait times and cargo handling efficiency, and strengthening data-driven management. We will also bolster cooperation among relevant departments and aim to build a stable logistics framework through continuous improvement.
Specific initiatives
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Promoted a modal shift in long-distance truck transportation where the burden on drivers is high
- Introduced and expanded coastal container transportation from the Kuwana Logistics Center
- Introduced and expanded JR large container transportation from the Sendai and Kuwana Logistics Centers
- Improved the efficiency of truck cargo handling and visualized and reduced stand-by times through scheduled vehicle dispatching, the use of IT tools, the introduction of loading assistance by warehouse staff, and the installation of simple conveyors
- Installed surveillance cameras for safe work operations and for safe forklift driving operations inside factory logistics centers and domestic distribution centers
