The wdk collection is a central instrument in the German rubber industry. As a leading organization, the wdk represents over 200 member companies with around 70,000 employees and annual sales of ten billion euros. The products in this sector are indispensable and can be found in almost all areas of life. The wdk is active in national and international standardization and promotes the exchange of expertise on various topics such as tyre technology, TPE, construction profiles, technical compounds, hoses, seals, sustainability and chemical regulation. This ensures that their technical expertise is always up to date.

wdk guidelines are industry standards, developed by the industry for the industry. They form the basis for procedures, specifications and standards that are utilized way beyond Germany's borders. These guidelines define the current state of the art in the rubber industry.

In addition, the association awards the wdk certificate as a recognition of quality for tyre service companies who guarantee that sensitive UHP and run-flat tyres are fit properly by specially trained, certified and tested fitters and who invest in specialized, certified and tested fitting machines.

One of the biggest challenges for the association and the industry is the increasing density of regulation in the economic environment. Examples of this include the German Act on Corporate Due Diligence Obligations in Supply Chains, the EU Regulation on deforestation-free products and the more stringent regulation of chemicals. The wdk has set itself the goal of supporting its member companies in the transition towards climate neutrality and the implementation of sustainability targets.

The collection is aimed at companies who manufacture and supply tyres, rubber and elastomer products.

The wdk was founded in 1894 and has existed in its current form since 1950. In the industry, it represents manufacturers of tyres and technical elastomer products (GRG = General Rubber Goods). The central tasks of the association include advising member companies and representing their interests in proposed national and European regulations. It also actively supports projects regarding technical regulations at national, European and international level.

The association supports the dialogue between experts and managements and coordinates the interests of the industry. More than 30 management and expert groups cover the entire range of product groups. The wdk is a member of the European Tyre & Rubber Manufacturers Association (ETRMA) and Faire Energiewende (Fair energy revolution), a working group and alliance of medium-sized industrial organisations striving for fair energy prices to ensure job and production security in Germany. It is also an associate member of the Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber (GPSNR). The wdk organises two major events every year: the rubber industry day in spring and the autumn conference in the latter half of the year.