Hankook’s Collaborative Effort To Help Lessen Tyre Waste Generation

In an effort to make the world sustainable, Hankook Tire has collaborated with shoe brand YASE to launch eco-friendly shoes made of recycled tyres.Together, they have got on board the ‘Zero – Leave Nothing Behind’ project which aims to upcycle ELTs to make sustainable shoe products. 

Hankook Tire has always been at the forefront of sustainable practices with having set goals such as achieving 100 percent of sustainable raw material use by 2050 and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent compared to that of 2018. These initiatives also extend to R&D where the tyre maker has minimised the rolling resistance of its tyres to improve the fuel efficiency of vehicles and ultimately reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The company also established an ESG committee to further strengthen its sustainability management efforts. 

Jimmy Kwon, Vice President of Hankook Tire’s Brand Lab, talks to Rajni Jose from Tyre Trends about this collaborative effort.

Q) What are the purpose and goals associated with this collaboration?

Jimmy Kwon: Hankook Tire and YASE embarked on the ‘Zero – Leave Nothing Behind’ project with a commitment to sustainable materials and environmental protection. As sustainability is a core value and key agenda for us, we have taken the topic of tyre recycling as one of the top agendas each year. We are glad to make good use of recycled tyres by turning them into hard-wearing and robust shoes in collaboration with YASE. We also believe this collaboration will offer the MZ generation, who have not had an opportunity to use tyres yet, a chance to experience Hankook Tire since a pair of shoes is a necessity that people use on a daily basis.

Q) What role does Hankook play in this collaboration? What are the processes involved in the upcycling of used tyres into shoes? 

Jimmy Kwon: Hankook Tire will collect discarded tyres and extract rubber from them to pulverise rubber into a powder so that it can be processed into the outsole. Regarding the processes, upcycling itself benefits the environment as it minimises the volume of discarded materials and waste dumped into the landfills. It also reduces the need for production using new or raw materials, which leads to a reduction in air pollution, water pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

Q) Is the company looking to produce products other than shoes?

Jimmy Kwon: Currently, Hankook Tire is focusing mainly on footwear in terms of collaboration items as both tyres and shoes share common traits of playing a crucial role in mobility and touching the ground on a daily basis. They also protect people from possible dangers on the road with durability and stability.

Q) What are the other materials used to make these shoes?

Jimmy Kwon: The upper part of the shoes is made of synthetic vegan leather, whereas the insole is made of OrthoLite and natural latex. 

Q) By upcycling used tyres, how much carbon emissions do we save?

Jimmy Kwon: For this collaboration, we have recycled 50 used tyres to manufacture 2,000 pairs of shoes in total. According to the Korea National Institute of Forest Science, 2.8 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions is reduced by recycling 50 used tyres which weigh approximately 1.5 tonnes. This is equivalent to planting 425 pine trees. Likewise, around 1.9 kg of carbon dioxide emissions is reduced per kg of tyres recycled. This is not a small amount as a 20-year-old tree consumes 6.7 kg of carbon dioxide emission.

Q)  Does the company have a take-back policy? If not, how can the shoes be disposed of sustainably after use?

Jimmy Kwon: We do not have a related policy so far, but our decision to embark on the project of launching upcycling footwear displays our deep sense of care and commitment towards sustainability and environmental protection. It is thrilling that we are giving consumers an option to choose eco-friendly footwear. Shoes made of our old tyres will not only make a positive social impact but will also be hard-wearing and robust as our tyres are developed with high-quality materials and cutting-edge technologies.

Q) Currently, other brands offering shoes made from upcycled used tyres have priced their products higher than regular shoes. How does the company plan to price the products so that customers prefer this sustainable alternative over regular shoes?

Jimmy Kwon: The collaboration items are not specifically priced high compared to regular shoes sold by YASE. For example, a pair of Hankook Tire x YASE Chelsea boots are priced at KRW 102,000 (USD 86) while a pair of existing 506 5CM Chelsea boots are KRW 98,000 (USD 83). It is 4 percent more expensive, but the prices are different only because their designs are different. Hankook Tire is trying to provide customers with excellent quality products at a reasonable price whether they be tyres or shoes.

Q) What are the marketing strategies adopted to attract customers?

Jimmy Kwon: Not only the shoes themselves but the packaging is designed with sustainability initiative as well. Shoeboxes, tags and pamphlets are made of 100 percent sugarcane material. Hankook Tire expects this will resonate with customers who are early adopters and are conscious about the environment. In addition, we have chosen an online fashion retailer that is popular among the MZ generation as a sales channel in Korea since we have found that this generation is especially environment-conscious and keen to making green purchase decisions.

Q) Where will these be produced?

Jimmy Kwon: These eco-friendly shoes are produced in Korea where the YASE factory is located. 

Q) Is the company looking into exports? 

Jimmy Kwon: Although we are not considering shipping overseas or exports at the moment, we would like to proceed in the future when there is an opportunity.

Q)  What are the further expansion plans of the range?

Jimmy Kwon: Currently, we have unveiled five products through collaboration: four dress shoes and one comfort insole. We plan to continue collaboration with YASE to add special edition running shoes in October. 

Q)  What future do you see for upcycled used tyre products in the fashion industry?

Jimmy Kwon: Consumers are getting more and more conscious of the damaging effects of wastes, which explains why upcycling is becoming increasingly popular in the fashion industry. A tyre is a good resource for upcycling since tyres, especially the ones developed with Hankook’s high-quality materials and cutting-edge technologies, are durable and robust. We believe it’s a kind of collaboration that leads to mutually inspired progressive innovation for both industries and that there can be many opportunities forward. It’s a great way to widen customers’ eco-friendly options and to give old tyres a second life.(TT)

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Chinese tyre manufacturer Sailun Group has begun construction on a new USD-1-billion tyre facility in Egypt. The plant is situated within the Sokhna integrated industrial zone, part of the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE). This investment, one of the largest Chinese industrial projects in Egypt, was officially launched at a ceremony attended by SCZONE General Authority Chairperson Walid Gamal El-Din.

The expansive 350,000-square-metre factory will be developed in three phases over a three-year period. The initial phase is scheduled to become operational in 2026, with a planned production capacity of three million passenger car tyres and 600,000 truck and bus tyres annually. This first stage is expected to generate 1,500 new jobs. Upon full completion, the facility's total output is projected to surpass ten million tyres each year.

As a global leader in tyre manufacturing with an extensive international sales network, Sailun Group will utilise this new factory as a strategic hub. The facility is designed to meet rising demand within the local Egyptian market while also creating substantial opportunities for export to regional and international markets.

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With the rise of electric vehicles reducing exhaust emissions, attention is shifting to non-exhaust emission like Tyre and Road Wear Particles (TRWP). These microscopic particles, generated from tyre and road surface friction, are a growing environmental concern and will be addressed in the upcoming Euro 7 emissions standard. To tackle this challenge, Nynas has joined a major research consortium coordinated by the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), alongside Volvo Cars, Scania and the Karolinska Institute.

The project aims to close a significant scientific knowledge gap by thoroughly investigating the formation, characteristics and environmental impact of TRWP. Nynas contributes a unique dual perspective to this interdisciplinary effort, bringing deep expertise in both tyre rubber compounds and bitumen-based road materials. Pär Nyman, Technical Manager – Tyre & Chemical Industries, Nynas, represents the company in the project alongside the company’s Chief Scientist, Dr Xiaohu Lu, who brings extensive expertise in bitumen and asphalt to the collaboration. A key focus will be understanding how different materials contribute to wear mechanisms.

The research scope extends beyond particle analysis to include measuring the rolling resistance of various tyre and bitumen combinations, a parameter directly linked to vehicle energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions. By uniting industry and academia, this collaboration is poised to drive innovation and set new benchmarks in sustainable mobility research.

Pär Nyman, Technical Manager – Tyre & Chemical Industries, Nynas, said, “While Sweden lacks domestic tyre manufacturers, Nynas' research capabilities fill that gap by providing foundational insight into the chemistry and physics behind TRWP generation. Nynas' rubber and asphalt labs are at the heart of this contribution. One of the core insights driving this initiative is that wear particles cannot be fully understood by analysing tyres or roads in isolation. It's the interaction – the system – that matters. By studying both tyre composition and road structure, the project aims to develop a holistic view of TRWP formation, dispersion and toxicity. At Nynas, we are excited to contribute our unique knowledge of materials to help solve an important challenge for both the environment and human health. Through collaboration and scientific inquiry, we aim to pave the way for cleaner roads and cleaner air – one particle at a time.”

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Ecolomondo Corporation, a Canadian developer of sustainable tyre recycling technology, has released its unaudited financial results for the second quarter ending 30 June 2025. The period was marked by significant progress in commercialising its Hawkesbury thermal decomposition facility, particularly within the recovered carbon black (rCB) department. A major milestone was reached with the installation and commissioning of new milling equipment, a critical step for the plant to achieve full operational capacity, as rCB is its primary revenue generator.

Following the quarter's end, the company's main rCB client formally approved the product quality, leading to five consecutive purchase orders for multiple truckloads delivered between July and August. A separate US-based customer has also approved the rCB quality, with bulk purchase orders anticipated imminently.

Financially, Ecolomondo secured USD 1.5 million through private placements and finalised a significant agreement with Export Development Canada (EDC). This arrangement provides a temporary postponement of principal and interest payments on three existing loans, improving the company's working capital and investor confidence. This debt modification resulted in a gain of USD 2,495,209, which contributed to a reported net profit of USD 1,452,712, for the quarter, despite an operating loss, which stood at USD 1,042,497 for the quarter, compared to USD 443,418 for the same period of 2024.

Revenue saw substantial growth, increasing by 212 percent to USD 395,149 compared to the same period in 2024, driven by product sales and tipping fees at the Hawkesbury plant. Capital expenditures for the Hawkesbury TDP turnkey facility totalled USD 51,358,723 after accounting for depreciation, while the company’s cash and cash equivalents stood at USD 1,508,645. Over the coming 12 months, Ecolomondo anticipates utilising an additional USD 2.0 million, which will be primarily allocated to covering ongoing working capital requirements and essential capital purchases for the Hawkesbury facility.

The company also advanced its global expansion strategy, signing a definitive agreement with ARESOL, a renewable energy group, to construct four turnkey recycling facilities in the European Union. The first plant is planned for Valencia, Spain. At its Annual General Meeting, all management proposals were unanimously adopted by shareholders.

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The European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers’ Association (ETRMA), alongside 13 other European business organisations, has signed a Joint Statement urging the European Commission to ensure a strong and ambitious implementation of the Data Act.

The coalition, including numerous SMEs and Small Mid-Caps from the digital and industrial sectors of European companies, has urged the European Commission to uphold the regulation against pressure to dilute its core provisions, identifying it as a crucial framework for unlocking industrial data across the EU economy. The signatories contend that a robust implementation is vital for fostering a competitive market and unleashing innovation, particularly for smaller businesses.

The coalition highlights the Act’s benefits, which include empowering SMEs with data portability rights, protecting them from unfair contractual terms and mandating that data sharing occurs on fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory (FRAND) terms. A key provision requires cloud providers to facilitate switching through open standards, combating vendor lock-in. The statement expresses concern that lobbying efforts for delayed enforcement, weaker interoperability definitions and reliance on global standards without fairness guarantees threaten to undermine these objectives.

For the Data Act to be effective, the coalition insists on full implementation to open data markets to genuine competition and prevent SMEs from being excluded by legal complexity. The statement also calls for a proportionate approach, requesting practical guidance, standard contractual clauses and well-resourced enforcement authorities to support smaller companies. It notes that in certain sectors, supplementary legislation may be needed for full clarity.

The coalition concludes that strong enforcement is paramount, asserting that without it, the Act's rights will remain theoretical. They warn that any delay or softening of key provisions risks reinforcing the very market barriers the regulation was designed to eliminate. The signatories urge the Commission to ensure robust enforcement to secure a competitive and innovative Single Market for all companies.

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