Hankook Publishes 2022-23 ESG Report

Hankook, the premium tyre manufacturer, has released its 2022/23 Environmental Social Governance (ESG) Report, detailing its sustainability initiatives and strategies for the current year. Notably, the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) has validated Hankook's greenhouse gas emission reduction targets, committing the company to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 according to the SBTi Net Zero standard.

This marks Hankook's 14th ESG Report, following its ESG vision, "Innovation for a Sustainable Future" introduced in 2010. The report encompasses the company's sustainability activities and its medium- and long-term strategies across environmental, social, and governance areas. It places equal emphasis on three key priority areas: Eco Value Chain, Sustainable Product, and Responsible Engagement.

Hankook has been progressively strengthening its commitment to sustainable management, enhancing its ESG management system. This journey began in 2009 with the establishment of a corporate social responsibility (CSR) organisation, followed by the formation of the ESG Strategy Committee and Steering Committee in 2010. In 2018, Hankook initiated a strategic effort to implement sustainable natural rubber policies and promote an eco-friendly circular economy system. By 2021, the company established an ESG Committee within the Board of Directors, and in 2022, it unveiled a Corporate Governance Charter, cementing its commitment to transparent and ethical ESG practices.

Hankook has proactively reduced its greenhouse gas emissions, positioning itself as a leader in constructing an eco-value chain. The company has developed a comprehensive climate change response strategy and incorporated a Climate Change Committee into its management activities. It has also undertaken various energy-saving initiatives, including adopting high-efficiency equipment, optimising energy efficiency, and using renewable energy. These efforts have resulted in a 2.74 percent reduction in greenhouse gas intensity compared to the previous year.

With a firm commitment to addressing climate change, Hankook joined the Science Based Targets Initiative in March 2022 and submitted its greenhouse gas emission reduction targets. These targets align with the latest climate research findings and the goals of the Paris Agreement. By 2030, Hankook aims to achieve a 46.2 percent reduction in total direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions (Scopes 1 and 2) generated during the production stage, compared to 2019 figures, in compliance with the SBTi validation. Additionally, the company has set a 2030 target to reduce total greenhouse gas emissions generated throughout the value chain (Scope 3) by 27.5% compared to 2019 figures. This recognition by the SBTi signifies Hankook's commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2050 based on the SBTi Net Zero standard, a responsibility shared by approximately 5,700 companies worldwide.

Hankook is also dedicated to developing eco-friendly tyres using highly functional synthetic rubber, furthering its ESG goal of increasing the use of sustainable raw materials. Recognised for its efforts to achieve carbon neutrality, Hankook has received top ratings from multiple global ESG evaluation agencies.

Moreover, the company is actively engaged in intelligent tyre technology, incorporating sensors in the tread to detect wear and developing airless tyres like the i-Flex. To contribute to a more sustainable future, Hankook is actively involved in establishing a sustainable supply chain, implementing human rights management, promoting employee well-being, and participating in social contribution activities.

Hankook has been included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) World, a prestigious sustainability index, for seven consecutive years.

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Continental has introduced a special-edition tyre set for the 2026 Tour de France, merging its two most advanced road offerings into a single commemorative package. The release pairs the aerodynamically focused Aero 111 with the endurance-tested Grand Prix 5000 S TR, both dressed in translucent sidewalls and exclusive race insignia that distinguish them from standard production models.

Available only as a bundled pair, the front tyre measures 29 mm while the rear comes in at 30 mm, a configuration aimed at optimising both steering precision and rolling efficiency. This marks the debut of the Aero 111 in a transparent finish, giving riders a visually distinctive option without compromising the tread technology that reduces drag and harnesses crosswind energy for forward momentum.

The front tyre's specialised pattern has already proven effective in competitive settings, including early-season classics, by working in tandem with modern wheel profiles to maintain speed under variable wind conditions. Paired with the Grand Prix 5000 S TR, known for its balance of low resistance and dependable traction, the combination addresses the full spectrum of race-day demands. Both tyres share Continental's BlackChili rubber compound and Vectran reinforcement, supporting tubeless setups as well as hookless rims.

Several professional squads across the men's and women's pelotons, including UAE Team Emirates-XRG, Movistar, Bahrain-Victorious, Decathlon CMA CGM, Groupama-FDJ United and Uno-X Mobility, are slated to use the limited-edition tyres during this year's Tour de France and its female counterpart. Weighing 265 grammes for the front and 305 grammes for the rear, the package delivers a race-ready system that merges aesthetic distinction with field-proven performance characteristics.

Hannah Ferle, Road Product Manager, Continental Tires, said, "With this year's Tour de France Limited Edition, we wanted to bring together two products that represent the very best of Continental road performance. The Aero 111 continues to demonstrate how much untapped performance exists within the tyre itself, while the Grand Prix 5000 S TR remains the benchmark for speed, grip and reliability. Together, they create a unique package worthy of cycling's biggest race."

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Bridgestone Golf has unveiled the latest iteration of its premier ball franchise, the e6 SOFT TREADLINE, which now features the innovative 360 Align Tech. As the longest-running and best-selling series in the company’s history, this new model draws inspiration from the Bridgestone Dueler A/T Ascent tyre, applying tread-like technology to the golf ball’s design. The launch reinforces the brand’s commitment to blending automotive engineering insights with golf performance.

The new e6 SOFT TREADLINE maintains the core engineering that has defined its predecessors, including a large, soft and fast core with gradational compression to maximise ball speed and distance. Its seamless Surlyn cover ensures durability and responsive feedback, while advanced aerodynamic patterns promote stability during flight. This combination produces a high launch with low spin off the tee, alongside reliable short-game feel and control around the greens.

Central to the new design is the 360 Align Tech, a full-coverage alignment aid that wraps entirely around the ball. This feature assists golfers in putting precision, visualising roll, squaring the putter face and aiming with greater confidence while also supporting a repeatable pre-shot routine. The tread pattern provides a visible reference from any angle, helping players achieve cleaner setup visuals and improved target awareness.

Available now as a limited-edition two-piece model, the Bridgestone e6 SOFT TREADLINE is priced at USD 23.99 per dozen. Golfers seeking guidance on the ideal ball for their game can utilise the online Golf Ball Selection Guide available on the company’s official website.

Adam Rehberg, Senior Marketing Manager of golf balls at Bridgestone Golf, said, “Our research showed golfers are increasingly looking for more advanced visual alignment technology both on the tee and on the greens, and the 360-degree TREADLINE pattern is designed to deliver a highly effective solution in both environments. By integrating design inspiration from the Bridgestone Dueler A/T Ascent tyre, we were able to create a performance-driven alignment system with a unique connection to the broader Bridgestone brand.”

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Tegeta Green Planet has launched a significant educational initiative across the Borjomi region of Georgia, designed to cultivate environmental stewardship among the youth. The programme, which commenced in 2022, holds a pioneering status as one of the first organisations in the country authorised by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture under the Extended Producer Responsibility framework. This authorisation underscores the company's commitment to managing the full lifecycle of specific waste streams, including used tyres, oils and batteries, in alignment with circular economy principles.

The initiative recently brought company representatives to Public Schools No. 3, No. 4 and No. 6 in Borjomi, as well as the Kvibisi Public School. The programme’s location is strategically significant, given that Borjomi is celebrated for its unique natural environment, mineral waters and vital forest ecosystems. The region’s sustainable development is inherently linked to the preservation of its natural heritage, making the education of local youth a critical component for its future.

During the school visits, students were introduced to the technicalities of waste stream management, learning the proper handling procedures for tyres, batteries and oils. The curriculum emphasised the environmental necessity of correct disposal and explained the broader connection to a circular economy, demonstrating how discarded materials can be transformed into valuable resources. The sessions highlighted how individual responsibility directly contributes to broader environmental protection and sustainable societal growth.

The educational format employed by Tegeta Green Planet was highly interactive, moving beyond traditional lectures. The programme featured presentations followed by engaging activities and educational games to reinforce learning, encouraging active participation from the students. The workshops provided a platform for open dialogue, where young attendees posed questions and proposed local solutions for creating eco-friendly communities. To make the experience more memorable and rewarding, symbolic gifts were distributed to all participants at the conclusion of the sessions.

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China’s Longmarch Group has initiated construction on a substantial tyre manufacturing venture in Egypt, valued at EGP 9.5 billion (EUR 160 million). The official groundbreaking was confirmed on 17 June by the Suez Canal Economic Zone's general authority. The new facility, named Longmarch Tyre (Egypt) Ltd, will be situated within the integrated industrial zone of Ain Sokhna, occupying a sprawling 200,000-square-metre site.

The development is structured as a two-phase project. The initial stage is designed to achieve an annual production capacity of 600,000 units for trucks and buses. Upon completion of the second phase, the plant's total output for these tyres will escalate to one million units per year, alongside an additional annual capacity of 4.5 million passenger car radial tyres.

Production from the Egyptian plant is primarily intended to satisfy local market demand, though the company also has clear ambitions to target export markets across the region and beyond. Longmarch Group’s chairman, Jin Yong Sheng, lauded the investment climate within the Suez Canal Economic Zone, highlighting its strategic location and superior logistical advantages as key factors for the company's expansion.

Established in 2003, Longmarch already operates a production base in Chaoyang, China, and manages a tyre joint venture in Pakistan. The Egyptian project marks a significant milestone in the firm's global strategy, leveraging the economic zone's competitive environment to strengthen its international footprint.

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