Company’s long-term commitment targets 100% sustainable materials in tyre production by 2050
Hankook Tire & Technology (Hankook Tire) has launched mass production of tyres incorporating ISCC (International Sustainability & Carbon Certification) PLUS certified carbon black derived from the pyrolysis oil of end-of-life tyres. This milestone follows the creation of the Tire-to-Tire Circular Economy Model consortium, which Hankook initiated in 2023 to support sustainable tyre manufacturing through innovation and industry partnerships.
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The newly certified carbon black material, developed through collaborative research with consortium members HD Hyundai Oilbank and HD Hyundai OCI, is designed to meet global sustainability requirements by creating a circular process that reintroduces materials from used tyres back into new tyre production. According to Hankook, the consortium’s success represents its first major step toward achieving carbon neutrality within the tyre industry, driven by the shared goal of sustainable material usage.
The Tire-to-Tire Circular Economy Model consortium—formed in November 2023 and consisting of Hankook Tire and 12 other Korean companies and institutions—focuses on transforming end-of-life tyres into raw materials for new tyre production. As part of this model, HD Hyundai Oilbank and HD Hyundai OCI produced the certified carbon black by refining pyrolysis oil sourced from used tyres, applying a “mass balance” approach to achieve ISCC PLUS certification. This international certification recognises materials that meet high standards for sustainability, ensuring product circularity throughout the manufacturing chain.
From 2024 onwards, Hankook will apply these certified materials across its products to align with international sustainability regulations. The company also shared that it is working toward producing carbon black using 100% pyrolysis oil as part of its commitment to exclusively sustainable materials by 2050.
Hankook Tire's efforts have been acknowledged across the industry. In 2021, its Geumsan plant in South Korea became the first tyre production facility globally to receive ISCC PLUS certification, a milestone later followed by the certification of its Hungary plant in 2023. The company also marked another industry first in August 2023, achieving Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) approval for its long-term greenhouse gas reduction goals to reach Net Zero by 2050.
The development underscores Hankook Tire’s dedication to sustainable innovations that meet the growing market demand for environmentally friendly materials. With its circular economy consortium, Hankook aims to lead the tyre industry toward a future where sustainable production practices set the standard.
For more on Hankook Tire’s sustainable tyre production initiatives, visit the company's corporate website.
