Hankook Tire & Technology (Hankook Tire) has announced that it has commenced mass production of its tyres utilising three types of ISCC (International Sustainability & Carbon Certification) PLUS certified carbon black.

The carbon black, derived from end-of-life tyre pyrolysis oil, was developed through the Tire-to-Tire Circular Economy Model consortium. This marks the company’s first achievement following the launch of the Tire-to-Tire Circular Economy Model consortium in November 2023. The consortium, a project launched by Hankook Tire, focusses on continuous collaboration along with research and development to create sustainable materials suitable for mass production.

The project aims to create a circular economy model for producing new tyres from end-of-life tyres in South Korea. Together with 12 other Korean companies and institutions, Hankook Tire is working to meet global market demand for carbon neutrality and the use of sustainable materials.

The tyre major states it has achieved this outcome through collaborative research with consortium partners HD Hyundai Oilbank and HD Hyundai OCI. HD Hyundai Oilbank and HD Hyundai OCI developed the three types of certified carbon black by applying refined oil obtained from the pyrolysis process of end-of-life tyres using a mass balance approach and received ISCC PLUS certification, a voluntary international certification system for sustainable materials and product circularity.

With this Hankook Tire says it is now ready to apply these materials for mass production. This collaboration contributes not only to the transition of the tyre industry toward a circular economy by replacing existing petrochemical-based raw materials with circular materials, but also helps reduce reliance on petroleum resources, conserving natural resources and lowering carbon emissions.

Starting this year, Hankook Tire will apply certified carbon black to its products, leveraging the material to meet global sustainability requirements. Additionally, it will continue to work closely with consortium partners to develop carbon black made with 100 percent pyrolysis oil, aiming for 100 percent use of sustainable materials by 2050 and thereby accelerating the development of circular materials through the consortium.

Meanwhile, Hankook Tire continues its unwavering efforts to enhance sustainability within the global tire industry. In 2021, its Geumsan plant in Korea became the first in the tyre industry to obtain ISCC PLUS certification. This was followed by its plant in Hungary, which received the same certification in 2023, establishing a foundation for incorporating sustainable materials into mass production.

Additionally, in August 2023, Hankook Tire became the first company in the Korean tyre industry to have its mid to long-term greenhouse gas reduction goals for achieving ‘Net Zero by 2050’ approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).

This demonstrates the company’s commitment to implementing tangible measures that aim to reduce carbon emissions. In 2024, Hankook Tire was awarded the Three-Star Environmental Accreditation by the Federation Internationale de I’Automobile (FIA), the highest level of sustainability certification awarded by the organisation.

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Birla Carbon, a leading global manufacturer and supplier of high-quality carbon materials, has been awarded the prestigious Platinum sustainability rating by EcoVadis, ranking it within the top one percent of all assessed companies globally. This honour recognises the firm’s enterprise-wide leadership in integrating sustainability across its operations, innovation and value chain.

The evaluation specifically commended its strong performance across four key areas: Environment, Labor & Human Rights, Ethics and Sustainable Procurement. This achievement is further validated by extensive third-party certifications, with over 75 percent of operations certified to international standards including ISO 14001, ISO 50001, ISO 45001, SA8000 and ISO 27001, underscoring the consistency and strength of its sustainability management systems.

John Loudermilk, President and CEO, Birla Carbon, said, “This Platinum rating reflects the steady progress we are making in embedding sustainability at the core of our business. Our growth strategy is geared towards delivering sustainability through innovation, operational excellence and responsible practices across our global footprint. We continually invest in sustainability and circularity-driven processes, keeping our operations sustainably efficient while creating long-term value for our customers, partners, communities and employees. Our sustainability strategy, Share the Future, serves as a roadmap to a sustainable future and guides our actions towards our aspiration of reaching net zero carbon emissions over the next 25 years. Being recognised among the top one percent of companies globally is a testament to the commitment of our teams worldwide.”

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The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. recently conducted an educational seminar for local natural rubber farmers in partnership with the Surat Thani branch of the Rubber Authority of Thailand (RAOT). This marked the 10th such event since the programme's inception in 2020, involving 50 local farm households. Attendees received complimentary fertiliser, developed with RAOT's expertise, as part of the ongoing support.

The seminar curriculum covered essential agricultural topics, including soil and plant nutrition, correct fertiliser application and methods to prevent contamination in natural rubber. To commemorate the 10th seminar, the programme was expanded to include guest speakers from local government, police and healthcare. These guests addressed broader community and safety issues, such as human rights for foreign and minority workers, road safety and occupational health. A particular focus was placed on practical well-being, with the local hospital director offering guidance on preventing injuries during tree tapping and managing encounters with poisonous insects.

Post-event feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive. Many expressed that they gained new, systematic knowledge about cultivation practices, despite years of experience. Several noted that hearing directly from a rubber manufacturer reinforced the critical importance of purity in their product. Others found the health and safety advice immediately useful. The engaging delivery of the seminar was also highlighted, with one farmer mentioning a desire to recommend the valuable and enjoyable experience to peers.

This initiative is a direct implementation of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between Yokohama Rubber and RAOT in January 2020. The MoU focuses on economic support for farmers and improving supply chain traceability, aligning with the company's Procurement Policy for Sustainable Natural Rubber. Hosted in the region where Yokohama’s Thai natural rubber processing subsidiary, Y.T. Rubber Co., Ltd. (YTRC), operates, the seminar exemplifies the policy's guideline to support small-scale farmers within the supply chain.

As a founding member of the Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber (GPSNR), Yokohama Rubber is committed to advancing these principles. The company views such efforts as integral to creating shared value under its sustainability slogan, ‘Caring for the Future’, and contributes to broader United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through the promotion of sustainable raw material procurement.

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In a significant event for India’s rubber sector, Minister for Ports, Co-operation & Devaswoms V N Vasavan inaugurated a ceremony for the transfer of innovative latex-based paint technology. This eco-friendly paint, a product derived from natural rubber, was developed by the Rubber Products Incubation Centre of the Rubber Research Institute of India. The technology was formally handed over to Kerala Paints Industries Private Ltd., with the Minister highlighting the event's historic nature for launching a sustainable product and stressing the importance of increasing domestic natural rubber consumption to improve grower returns.

Rubber Board Executive Director M Vasanthagesan outlined the centre's role in converting research into market-ready goods, reaffirming the Board's dedication to creating innovative, value-added rubber products. The gathering also heard remarks from several key figures, including Mahatma Gandhi University's K V Dayal, RRII Director Dr Debabrata Ray, RRII Senior Scientist Dr Shera Mathew and Kerala Paints' Managing Director Midhun P Pullumettel.

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The Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) has released its Monthly NR Statistical Report for November 2025, providing an overview of key developments in the global natural rubber sector.

While a modest rise in global production of 1.3 percent is anticipated for the year, this follows a revised, lower output forecast for Indonesia. Concurrently, worldwide demand is projected to grow by a more subdued 0.8 percent, bolstered by an upward adjustment in Indonesia's own consumption figures.

Recent price pressures have emerged due to this combination of uncertain supply, influenced by unpredictable weather patterns and generally muted demand. However, there are sporadic positive indicators, including noticeable recoveries within the tyre sector across some regional markets.

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