South Korean tyre maker Kumho Tire has tied up with material supplier Orion to co-develop sustainable tyres and materials. The two companies will commence a research project to develop tyres using renewable feedstocks, such as plant-based oil and other bio-oils, as well as carbon black made from pyrolysis oils extracted from end-of-life tyres.
Orion says that together with Kumho Tire, it plans to expand the use of eco-friendly carbon black in the tyre production process.
Last year, Kumho Tire also signed an MoU with Polish group Synthos for the joint development of sustainable tyre raw materials. Both companies plan to collaborate on a project for the research and development of NdBR using Bio-Butadiene (Bio-BD) and intend to expand the use of eco-friendly synthetic rubber in the tyre manufacturing processes.
Synthos, with production bases in Germany, the Czech Republic, and Poland, has received ISCC+ certification from the European Union Renewable Energy Directive System for its portfolio. The company is actively cooperating with tyre manufacturers to reduce environmental impact, including constructing a bio-butadiene manufacturing plant targeted for completion in 2027.
Kumho Tire has previously developed a tyre with 55% sustainable materials in 2022 and was awarded an A-grade in the 2023 ESG evaluation by the Korea ESG Standards Authority for its efforts in executing ESG management.
Last year, the company successfully developed a tyre with 80% sustainable materials and plans to develop products solely using natural-based and recycled materials by 2045.