The Australian Trucking Association and tyre supplier Black Rubber will launch a new sustainability award in 2026.
The award will be called the Black Rubber Sustainability Award and will be presented for the first time at the ATA's 2026 Technology and Maintenance Conference. Nominations will open in mid-2026.
Established in 2014, Black Rubber is a tyre supply and service organisation focused on providing efficient and safe tyre management services for the transport, industrial, mining and resource industries. Black Rubber also owns and operates the Michelin tyre retreading factories in Perth, Sydney and Brisbane and Goodyear retread factory in Melbourne.
ATA Chair Mark Parry said the association was excited to launch the award with Black Rubber to recognise and reward businesses making a serious commitment to the industry's sustainability.
"Although there is no single technology available that can replace diesel engines, more and more trucking operators are bringing zero and low emission trucks and delivery vehicles into their fleets," Mr Parry said.
"This award will celebrate their work, as well as the efforts of businesses that reduce their environmental impact through approaches like using retreads, managing waste and minimising fuel spills," he said.
Black Rubber General Manager Sales Dean McRae said that sponsoring the award was a big step in advancing the use of re-usable, recyclable and biodegradable materials within the industry.
"From first tread to final retread, we manage the whole journey so Black Rubber customers get the lowest total cost. Each re-treaded tyre reduces waste and costs 20-50 per cent less than an equivalent new tyre. It's a significant saving when you consider the number of tyres on a B-double," Mr McRae said.
