Kumho targets 100% sustainable materials goals by 2045
15 Feb 2024
Roadmap for delivering for full transition to use of recycled and plant-based materials in its tires
Seoul - Kumho Tire has set out a roadmap for delivering a target of using 100% recycled and plant-based materials in its tires by 2045.
The Korean tire maker currently uses sustainable materials at 25% of all raw materials, and has set a goal of increasing this level to 40% by 2030
According to Kumho, its developers have already succeeded in producing tires using 80% sustainable alternatives to established petrochemical-based materials.
Recent progress includes the increased use of carbon black based on crude oil extracted from waste tires and reinforcing fibres made from recycled PET bottles, as well as cord made from recycled waste steel.
Kumho has also developed tires using synthetic rubber made from recycled plastics waste, rice bran-based silica, bio-based chemicals, sunflower oil and micronised rubber from scrap tires.
In addition, Kumho said it is mass producing products that apply natural materials in the manufacturing process, including natural rubber production, in accordance with GPSNR (Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber) guidance.
“Kumho Tire chooses ‘sustainability’ as its survival strategy in the changing mobility industry,” said Cho Man-sik, head of research and development.
“We will demonstrate Kumho Tire’s efforts to secure the competitiveness of carbon-neutral core technologies through the development of alternative materials,” he added.
Other focus areas include R&D to reduce tire dust as well as the development of low-fuel-efficiency tires, low-wear tires, and low-noise tires.
Through this, we are making efforts to reduce the environmental impact that occurs throughout the entire business process by expanding the production and sales of products with reduced environmental impact.
