When you think of Lego, you might immediately think of the colorful plastic bricks that have entertained generations of children and adults alike. But did you know that Lego is also the world’s largest tire manufacturer?
Yes, that’s right. Despite not being a tire company, Lego produces more tires than any other manufacturer in the world by volume. According to Lego’s website, the company produces approximately 306 million tires each year. To put that into perspective, that’s more than Michelin, Goodyear, and Bridgestone combined.
Of course, it’s important to note that Lego’s tires aren’t designed for real-world vehicles. They’re made out of plastic and are meant to fit Lego’s toy cars, trucks, and other vehicles. But even so, the sheer volume of tires that Lego produces is impressive.
So how does Lego make all of those tires? The process is similar to how the company makes its bricks. Lego has special molds that are used to create the tire shape, and then the plastic is injected into the molds to form the tires. The tires are then trimmed and inspected to ensure that they meet Lego’s quality standards.
One of the reasons why Lego produces so many tires is that they’re an integral part of many of the company’s popular toy sets. From the classic Lego City sets that feature police cars and fire trucks to the more recent Lego Technic sets that feature complex, motorized vehicles, Lego’s tires are essential for bringing these toys to life.
But it’s not just about making toys that are fun to play with. Lego’s tire production also has a significant impact on the company’s sustainability efforts. According to Lego’s website, the company is committed to using sustainable materials in its products, and its tire production is no exception. Lego’s tires are made from a plastic called acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), which is a durable and recyclable material.
Additionally, Lego has made a commitment to using renewable energy in its production facilities. As of 2021, the company has invested in two offshore wind farms that generate enough electricity to power all of its factories, offices, and stores worldwide.
Lego’s commitment to sustainability is not just a recent development. The company has been actively working to reduce its carbon footprint since the 1990s. In 2012, Lego launched its Sustainable Materials Center, which is dedicated to finding sustainable alternatives to the materials currently used in Lego products.
One of the challenges that Lego faces is the limited availability of sustainable materials that meet the company’s quality standards. But the company has made significant progress in this area. In 2018, Lego announced that it had created a prototype brick made from plant-based materials. The brick was made from a bioplastic derived from sugarcane, and Lego said that it met the same quality and safety standards as its traditional plastic bricks.
Lego’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond its own operations. The company is a member of several sustainability initiatives, including the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s New Plastics Economy initiative and the World Wildlife Fund’s Climate Savers program.
In conclusion, Lego’s status as the world’s largest tire manufacturer is an impressive feat, even more so when you consider that the tires are made for toys. But what’s even more impressive is the company’s commitment to sustainability and reducing its environmental impact. From using sustainable materials in its products to investing in renewable energy, Lego is setting an example for other companies to follow. And as the world faces growing environmental challenges, Lego’s efforts are more important than ever.
