WBCSD Delegation Visits Sailun Group to Explore New Pathways for Sustainability in the Tire Industry

On September 18–19, a delegation from the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), led by Dominic Waughray, Executive Vice President, and Zhou Weidong, Chief Representative of WBCSD China, visited Qingdao for in-depth discussions with Sailun Group, WBCSD China’s first member company in the tire industry.

The delegation visited Sailun’s Qingdao manufacturing facility, Technology R&D Center and Science and Technology Exhibition Hall, as well as Qingdao University of Science and Technology (QUST), a leading institution in China’s rubber industry. The visit provided an opportunity to explore developments in technological innovation, intelligent manufacturing and low-carbon transition of the rubber and tire industry. Liu Yanhua, Chairwoman of Sailun Group, and Wang Rui, Assistant to the Chairwoman, accompanied the delegation throughout the visit and discussions.

During the visit to Sailun, the delegation gained insights into the company’s more than two decades of innovation and development in the rubber and tire sector, underpinned by its collaboration with QUST, as well as its global strategy. Discussions focused on Sailun’s work in technological innovation, intelligent manufacturing and low-carbon R&D, and gave the delegation further insight into Sailun’s EcoPoint3 technology, including its technological advances, performance and environmental and social benefits. These discussions highlighted the technology’s potential to contribute to climate action and support the low-carbon transition of the transportation sector.

At QUST, the delegation visited key laboratories and an exhibition of achievements from university-industry collaboration, gaining further insight into the university’s history, technological research and innovation achieved through collaboration with industry.

At a dedicated roundtable, the two sides held in-depth discussions on pathways for the tire industry’s low-carbon transition, the internationalization of responsible brands and opportunities for member companies to engage in WBCSD’s global sustainability programs. The WBCSD delegation commended Sailun for its continued efforts in technological innovation, low-carbon manufacturing and sustainable development, as well as its work to integrate sustainability into its business and innovation practices.

This visit represented an important opportunity for continued dialogue between Sailun and the global sustainability community. Looking ahead, Sailun will continue to advance technological innovation and low-carbon practices, while leveraging the WBCSD platform to strengthen collaboration and contribute to climate action across the industry. Through these efforts, Sailun aims to support the ongoing low-carbon transition and sustainable development of the global tire industry.