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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Formula 1 is set to resume on-track action in Bahrain for the second pre-season testing session, beginning 18th February and running through 20th February. This three-day event marks the final opportunity for teams to evaluate their cars ahead of the championship opener, building on the data gathered during the previous week's running.

A significant change for this test is the expanded tyre availability from Pirelli. While the initial session was restricted to the three hardest compounds, teams have now selected 24 sets from the full range of five dry-weather options. They are also permitted to carry over any tyres used for nine laps or fewer during the first test. An analysis of team selections reveals varied strategic approaches. The C3 and C2 compounds emerged as the most popular choices, requested by 10 of the 11 teams. Mercedes was the exception, opting to remain solely with the hardest compounds.

McLaren, Ferrari, Racing Bulls, Audi and Haas broadened their selection by including the C4. In contrast, Red Bull, Alpine, Williams and Aston Martin leaned towards softer specifications. The Visa Cash App RB squad confined its choices to the C2, C3 and C4, whereas Alpine and Williams also incorporated the softest C5 compound. Aston Martin adopted a unique strategy, selecting exclusively the three softest options: the C3, C4 and C5. Notably, incoming team Cadillac distributed its requests across the entire spectrum, making it the only entrant to secure at least one set of every dry compound.

Daily running is scheduled from 10:00 to 19:00. To aid identification, Pirelli has implemented a special colour-coding system for this test. The C1 and C2 compounds will feature white logos, the C3 and C4 will display yellow and the C5 will be marked with red. To differentiate the two compounds sharing the same colour, the harder of the pair will incorporate a distinctive chequered flag pattern on its sidewalls. Consequently, the C2 and C4 will be the only compounds without this additional decoration, bearing only the standard Pirelli and P Zero logos.

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Continental has unveiled the Conti Hybrid HT 5, a new trailer tyre that completes its fifth-generation hybrid tyre family designed specifically for regional freight transport. This launch provides fleet operators with a fully coordinated tyre solution for steering, drive and trailer axles, all engineered to handle the rigorous demands of distribution transport. These operations often involve a challenging mix of inner-city manoeuvring, highway cruising and occasional light off-road driving.

The new Conti Hybrid HT 5 was developed to address the specific pressures of daily regional logistics, including frequent stop-and-go traffic, navigating tight urban streets and managing variable load weights. According to Hinnerk Kaiser, Head of Product Development for Bus and Truck Tyres at Continental, this tyre model integrates safety, operational efficiency and robustness to support dependable and economical fleet performance under fluctuating conditions. The trailer tyre delivers a 15 percent increase in mileage over its predecessor, the Conti Hybrid HT 3+, leading to fewer replacements. For a fleet operating 80 trailers covering 110,000 kilometres each annually, this translates to saving roughly 32 trailer tyres per year, along with reduced labour, storage and procurement costs.

Beyond durability, the tyre contributes to lower fuel consumption thanks to its optimised rolling resistance, a critical factor given that tyres can constitute more than half of a commercial vehicle’s operating expenses. This efficiency also brings environmental advantages by decreasing raw material use and cutting CO2 emissions throughout the production chain. The Conti Hybrid HT 5 excels in wet and cold conditions, achieving a B rating for wet grip on the EU tyre label. This performance stems from a new tread compound and a redesigned pattern featuring zigzag centre grooves and 2D pocket sipes, which maintain reliable traction even as the tread wears down. The design also ensures even pressure distribution for stable braking on slippery surfaces. Additionally, it holds a top A rating for external rolling noise, helping to reduce sound pollution.

With the arrival of the HT 5, Continental now offers a unified technological approach across all axle positions for regional transport. The Conti Hybrid HS 5 provides steering precision and comfort, while the Conti Hybrid HD 5 delivers strong traction and consistent braking for drive axles. The new HT 5 rounds out the lineup for trailer axles with its stability, rugged build and adaptable grip. All Generation 5 tyres share a focus on extended mileage and long-term performance, featuring an optimised casing suitable for multiple retreading cycles and embedded RFID sensors for digital tracking. The Conti Hybrid HT 5 will launch in March in sizes 385/65 R22.5 and 385/55 R22.5, with additional sizes expected by 2027. These tyres come ready for integration with the ContiConnect digital management system via pre-installed sensors.

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In the wake of the devastating floods that struck Punjab in August 2025, a strategic partnership between Bridgestone and ADRA India successfully restored educational infrastructure and learning continuity across 20 government schools in the Gurdaspur district. The natural disaster had inflicted widespread damage on school buildings, with sanitation systems rendered inoperable, while countless students lost access to textbooks, stationery and uniforms – essential items for classroom participation.

Working in tandem with the District Disaster Management Authority, local government bodies, School Management Committees and community stakeholders, ADRA India implemented a targeted three-month rehabilitation project from October 2025 through January 2026. The collaborative approach ensured that intervention efforts reached the most severely impacted educational institutions within a region where flooding had submerged over 324 villages, causing prolonged disruption to essential services including education.

The restoration initiative prioritised the repair and upgrade of water, sanitation and hygiene facilities across 12 government schools, directly benefiting approximately 697 children through renewed access to safe and functional toilets. Beyond infrastructure rehabilitation, the project distributed comprehensive education kits to 585 particularly vulnerable students, including children from daily wage worker families, migrant households, women-led families and historically marginalised communities. This intervention alleviated the financial burden on families already strained by disaster losses while enabling students to resume their education promptly.

Sustainability remained central to the project's design, with School Management Committees receiving orientation on routine maintenance of rehabilitated facilities to ensure their long-term functionality. Infrastructure repairs incorporated enhanced durability measures specifically intended to withstand potential future flooding, thereby strengthening the resilience of educational facilities in this disaster-prone region.

Dr Aaditya Sharma, IAS, SDM Dera Baba Nanak, said, “Following the floods that affected Dera Baba Nanak Sub-Division, several government schools suffered damage to essential infrastructure, particularly Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH) facilities, resulting in disruption to the education of school-going children. The restored sanitation infrastructure has helped ensure a safe, hygienic and dignified learning environment for students, especially for girl students.”

Sudhir Kulkarni, Executive Director HR, Admin & CSR, Bridgestone India, said, “Bridgestone is committed towards Serving Society with Superior Quality. This inspires us to offer the best to the communities that we serve. Education is a critical pillar for communities, and this was most impacted by the floods. We have, in our humble way, contributed towards restoring some of the educational facilities in the Dera Baba Nanak block, thus safeguarding learning and well-being when vulnerable communities needed it the most.”

Imran Majid, Programmes Director, ADRA India, said, “In post-disaster settings like Dera Baba Nanak, children are among the most vulnerable. Restoring safe and functional WASH facilities in schools is not just about infrastructure, it is about protecting children’s health, dignity and right to learn. When sanitation and hygiene are compromised, the risks of illness increase and school dropouts become more likely, especially for girls. Through the School WASH project, we are ensuring that schools become safe, hygienic spaces again, enabling children to return, stay and thrive in their education.”

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CEAT Specialty Tyres has received a nomination for its SUSTAINMAX-VF tyre in the Environmental Achievement of the Year – Tire Design category at the prestigious Tire Technology International Awards 2026. The nomination marks a significant milestone for the company, highlighting advancements made at the intersection of tyre design, performance and sustainability.

The winners are scheduled to be announced on the opening day of the Tire Technology Expo 2026, held in Hannover, Germany, from 3 to 5 March 2026. The recognition on a global stage underscores the company’s commitment to developing responsible and forward-looking mobility solutions, specifically within the off-highway segment.

The nomination reinforces the company’s dedication to engineering products that align with evolving industry standards. CEAT Specialty Tyres anticipates participating in key discussions shaping the future of tyre technology during the event in Hannover.

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