Hankook Tire has announced the establishment of a corporate governance charter to enhance transparent ESG management and to lay the groundwork for the company’s sustainable business. The company said in a statement that the charter was approved at the board meeting held on May 9. 

The corporate governance charter will ensure professionalism and independence of the board and promote the rights and interests of all stakeholders including shareholders, consumers, and members. It contains regulations on the rights and responsibilities of shareholders, roles and operations of the board, a structure of audit institutions, protection of rights of stakeholders, and disclosure. The content will be accessible to all shareholders on Hankook Tire’s official website as well as on Korea’s Financial Supervisory Service’s (FSS) Data Analysis, Retrieval and Transfer System (DART), the release said. 

Last July, the ESG committee was launched within the board of directors to strengthen the company’s ESG management strategies and activities. Currently, five operating units are affiliated within the board including the ESG committee, audit committee, outside director nomination committee, sustainable management committee, and internal transaction committee. 

The company said in an effort to enhance the expertise and function of the board, the committee has been set to consist of three or more directors, with a majority of its members from outside the board. In the case of the ESG committee, Mira Lee, a female leader with extensive experience in corporate governance practices from global companies such as General Electric (GE) and Macquarie Group, was selected as the first chairman. The committee, including the chairperson, is consisted of seven inside and outside directors. 

Sooil Lee, President and CEO of Hankook Tire & Technology, said, “Hankook Tire has met many milestones in fulfilling its responsibilities and roles as a top-tier ESG company, and is saving no efforts to reach sustainable growth in areas of economy, environment, and society. Following the enactment of the charter, Hankook Tire plans to establish sound governance with objectivity and transparency, and strengthen its ESG leadership.” 

Hankook has been improving its ESG capabilities by not only setting up the ESG committee but also by sharing its vision of sustainability and publishing its annual ESG Report since 2010, the release pointed out. Hankook earned the highest score in the auto components group in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) World, and was included in the DJSI World for the past six years starting from 2016, it added. (TT)

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International environmental company Genan has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire ESTATO Umweltservice's mechanical tyre recycling facility in Weiden, southeastern Germany, from the ATU Group, a major domestic chain for automotive service and repair. The transaction includes a concurrent long-term cooperation pact designed to secure a consistent supply of end-of-life tyres for the plant, which currently processes approximately 45,000 tonnes of such material each year.

This acquisition marks a significant expansion for Genan, which already operates six recycling facilities across Denmark, Germany, Portugal and United States. The company’s existing operations collectively yield an annual production capacity exceeding 400,000 tonnes of processed tyres, establishing it as a substantial player in the international recycling sector.

The strategic move aligns with Genan’s broader growth objectives, particularly its focus on markets offering the most promising long-term prospects. By integrating the Weiden site, the company aims to bolster its footprint in Germany while gaining access to attractive markets in Central and Eastern Europe. A key element of the deal is the partnership with ATU, which guarantees a steady inflow of used tyres collected from the group’s workshops in Weiden and Werl that are unsuitable for direct reuse.

Poul Steen Rasmussen, Genan’s Group CEO, outlined an ambitious investment plan for the Weiden factory, committing a double-digit million-euro sum for a comprehensive upgrade over the coming year. The intention is to construct a technologically advanced production line on the existing premises, leveraging the company’s expertise in industrialising recycling processes. This approach mirrors a previous successful transformation in Portugal, where capacity, efficiency and environmental performance were significantly enhanced.

For ATU, the agreement ensures the professional, long-term processing of the vast quantities of used tyres generated by its workshops. The CEO of ATU Group expressed confidence that the partnership with Genan provides an excellent future for the Weiden site and its employees, combining industrial scale with a clear dedication to sustainable recycling. Both parties view the collaboration as a vital contribution to the circular economy, transforming waste into valuable raw materials.

The acquisition is also seen as a bellwether for the European recycling industry, signalling a phase of consolidation and heightened focus on circularity. Genan’s leadership noted that increasing political emphasis on waste management will drive demand for high-quality recycled materials, a need that requires significant investment in production technology. The group’s operations, which recycle rubber, steel and textile fibres for use in flooring, asphalt and industrial goods, are positioned to capitalise on this growth trajectory. The agreement is currently pending regulatory approval and is anticipated to be finalised shortly.

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Hankook Tire has further solidified its global reputation for innovative product design after securing three Winner awards in the Product Design category at the prestigious Red Dot Design Award 2026. The recognition from the internationally acclaimed competition underscores the company’s commitment to advancing tire technology through aesthetic and functional excellence.

The honoured products include the ultra-high-performance Ventus evo, the all-terrain iON AT developed for electric SUVs and pickup trucks and Laufenn’s summer performance tyre, the S FIT2. Each design was evaluated for its innovation, aesthetics, functionality and overall quality, with Hankook Tire standing out among global contenders in this year’s selection.

The Ventus evo was distinguished by its sharply defined centre wheel groove that enhances steering precision and reduces road noise, while a chamfer design and an AI-powered sustainable compound improve mileage by up to 32 percent. Its sidewall also features a Vanta Velvet graphic with an ultra-fine texture, combining visual appeal with practical performance. Meanwhile, the upcoming iON AT integrates key electric vehicle attributes such as energy efficiency, extended mileage and low noise into an off-road focused structure, with an optimised tread pattern and compound that minimise energy loss, heat generation and wear.

The S FIT2 from Laufenn earned recognition for its Numeric Sidewall design, which aligns with the brand’s minimalist philosophy while strengthening visual identity. Its asymmetric tread pattern ensures precise handling and effective drainage, while added features like the Alignment Indicator and EV Mark enhance user convenience. Environmentally conscious technologies also extend tread life and reduce noise. Organised by Germany’s Design Zentrum Nordrhein Westfalen, the Red Dot award is one of three major international design accolades – alongside the iF Design Award and the IDEA – where Hankook Tire continues to earn consistent recognition, reinforcing its premium brand image through innovation-driven design.

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HS HYOSUNG Group has officially released its inaugural Sustainability Report, marking a significant milestone since the conglomerate’s establishment. The comprehensive document provides a transparent overview of the organisation’s Environmental, Social and Governance management activities, detailing both ongoing initiatives and notable accomplishments across its operations.

The publication consolidates ESG data from the holding entity, HS HYOSUNG Corporation, and extends to major subsidiaries such as HS HYOSUNG USA, Inc., HS HYOSUNG TOYOTA Co., Ltd. and HS HYOSUNG GLOBAL LOGISTICS VINA CO., Ltd. Furthermore, the report incorporates the ESG performance of key affiliates, including HS HYOSUNG ADVANCED MATERIALS Corporation and HS HYOSUNG INFORMATION SYSTEMS Corporation, ensuring a holistic representation of the group’s sustainability efforts.

Central to the report is the introduction of the group’s sustainability vision, ‘Rooted in Value, Growing Together’, which is supported by three strategic pillars: Growth Value, Shared Value and Trusted Value. To guide its strategy, the group synthesised double materiality assessments from various units, identifying five Group-wide priorities: customer satisfaction, occupational health and safety, compliance, eco-friendly portfolio and climate change response. The report systematically details the management frameworks, current progress, key achievements and forward-looking plans for each of these critical areas.

An HS HYOSUNG official said, "Publishing our first Sustainability Report as we celebrate the second anniversary of HS HYOSUNG makes this milestone especially meaningful. Going forward, we will continue to respond proactively to a changing business environment while creating greater value and building stronger trust with our stakeholders."

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Tegeta Green Planet, in collaboration with Shine Energy, recently conducted an environmental awareness session at Edison School ‘Novatsia’, drawing the participation of approximately 60 students. The gathering was designed to illuminate the core tenets of the green economy, renewable energy and circular economic models, aiming to instil a robust sense of environmental stewardship among the younger generation.

The initiative sought to cultivate a collective sense of duty regarding the preservation of natural resources and the urgent challenges posed by climate change. Attendees were briefed on the deployment of modern technologies and innovative strategies to mitigate ecological footprints while also exploring the corporate sector's role in fostering a sustainable future. The discourse underscored that sustainable development transcends mere environmental conservation, integrating economic vitality and social equity.

Tegeta Green Planet’s representatives delved into the specifics of the Extended Producer Responsibility system and the intricacies of managing particular waste streams, alongside the foundational principles of the circular economy. Concurrently, Shine Energy’s team elaborated on the pivotal function of renewable sources in the ongoing energy transition, highlighting the societal and ecological advantages of solar power and other clean energy alternatives. The session was notably enriched by the proactive engagement of 10th-grade students.

These students delivered presentations on Earth Day, tracing its historical origins, its evolution into a global movement and the critical importance of individual action in resource preservation. The dialogue reinforced that every societal member contributes to this balanced vision. Tegeta Green Planet and Shine Energy remain committed to expanding such educational projects across various institutions, viewing them as essential to nurturing an environmental culture and responsible behaviours that are fundamental for the well-being of future generations.

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