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Did you know that 85% of natural rubber is produced by 6 million smallholders?

Why rubber?

Natural rubber plays a vital role in the economy of many countries as one of the most important commodities supplying industries as diverse as automotive, foot-ware, and construction. However, deforestation, conversion and biodiversity loss are an important and growing issue in rubber production alongside other common sustainability concerns such as poor working conditions, rising inequality, and land grabbing.

Economic importance: Natural rubber generates over $300 billion annually and supports 40 million people, showcasing its significant role in the global economy.
Sustainability challenges: Production faces serious issues like deforestation, biodiversity loss, and adverse social impacts.
Regional concerns: In Southeast Asia, countries like Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand are experiencing growing concerns over rubber production practices.
Traceability issues: More than 90% of natural rubber is produced by independent smallholders, complicating efforts to ensure sustainable and ethical supply chains.

What are the challenges?

The natural rubber industry, crucial for global economies, faces significant challenges: environmental degradation, poor labor conditions, and a complex, opaque supply chain. Market fluctuations impact smallholder incomes, contributing to deforestation and biodiversity loss. Addressing these requires implementing sustainable practices, ensuring fair wages, and improving working conditions for the millions of smallholders involved.

rubber

Thai smallholders use new technology for sustainable rubber and transparent supply chains

An App designed by Agriac allows the rubber farmers to pool their crops, thereby increasing their capacity to deliver larger orders, strengthen their negotiating power and enable them to cut out expensive middlemen. 

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30 years of impact

Creating sustainable impact is at the heart of our mission. Read why and how we do it here.

People

850,000+

farmers, workers and land managers are assured that their well-being, human rights and cultural heritage are protected.

Nature

32.6 million

hectares of land where nature and environment are protected from degradation and conversion through use of sustainability standards.

Climate

32,000+

tonnes of CO2 emissions have been reduced, thus lowering the climate impact.

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Rubber

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Travel

The travel industry's sustainability intersects with environmental conservation and cultural preservation. Responsible consumption and support for local communities are crucial for sustainable travel.

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Other

Our mission extends beyond these focus areas to any crop or product with potential for sustainable impact. We support conservation and ecosystem restoration projects worldwide and help businesses adapt to changing regulations.

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We work with businesses on all aspects of their sustainability journey

Certification

Strengthen your organisation’s commitment to sustainability, showcasing impactful business transformations.

Tailored services

With over 30 years of experience in sustainability, our experts can support you in enhancing your sustainability journey.

Expert courses

Engage in impactful training experiences through our programmes, project-specific sessions, or bespoke courses upon request.
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Do you want to support our efforts to create a better world?

Small steps lead to a big change and all contributions are valuable.

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