Hankook Tire has announced it has become the first tire manufacturer to receive the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) Plus mark. The mark has been awarded in recognition of the company’s sustainable business initiatives through its entire value chain, including the sourcing of renewable raw materials and sustainable end products.
ISCC Plus is an international sustainability certification program for bio-based and circular (recycled) raw materials under the European Renewable Energy Directive (EU RED). The certification evaluates a company’s sustainability by looking at the raw materials used, its manufacturing processes and the finished products.
The ISCC is currently affiliated with 130 international members including sustainable raw material manufacturers, non-governmental organizations and research institutes.
Hankook’s plant in Geumsan, South Korea was awarded the ISCC Plus certification for its sustainable efforts that include replacing petroleum-based oil with natural oil. It also adopted renewable bio-based polymers from the petrochemical-based synthetic rubber.
The processes implemented by Hankook – including its certified sustainable raw materials – have been utilized by the company to produce the environmentally friendly Kinergy 4S2 all-weather passenger car tire and the Kinergy 4S2 X SUV tire. Both tires are produced using rubber made with natural oil, enabling the tire to maintain its properties at low temperatures, resulting in improved levels of performance in snowy conditions.
“We are honored to receive this high recognition from ISCC for our ongoing commitment to be the gold standard in sustainability,” commented Sooil Lee, president and CEO, Hankook Tire & Technology. “This certification demonstrates our meticulous focus to continue improving every facet of our business for the benefit of our planet, our communities, and our lives.”
