Hankook Tire is the first tire manufacturer to earn the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) Plus mark. The award was in recognition of the effort the company has made with its sustainable business initiatives. This can be seen throughout its value chain, including sourcing sustainable end products and renewable raw materials.
The ISCC Plus is a certification program for recycled and bio-based raw materials under the European Renewable Energy Directive (EU RED). It rates a company’s sustainability by evaluating the raw materials used, finished products, and manufacturing processes.
The international sustainability certification program is currently affiliated with 130 international members. These include non-governmental organizations, research institutes, and raw material manufacturers.
Hankook’s Geumsan plant in South Korea has been replacing petroleum-based oil with natural oil. It was awarded the ISCC Plus certification for its sustainable efforts, including adopting renewable bio-based polymers for the petrochemical-based synthetic rubber.
Hankook Tire used its certified sustainable process to manufacture the eco-friendly Kinergy 4S2 X SUV and Kinergy 4S2 all-weather passenger car Hankook tires. Both were made using rubber made from natural oil. This allows them to maintain properties at low temperatures and helps to improve performance in snow.
“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.”