Global leading tyre company Hankook Tire & Technology (Hankook Tire) has introduced its first EV summer tyre with ISCC PLUS certification (International Sustainability & Carbon Certification) with the iON evo. 

The new tyre is derived from the Hankook iON Race tyre, which has been used exclusively on the vehicles competing in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship since 2023 and consists of 45 percent sustainable raw materials. The new iON evo will come as OE fitment on the updated Porsche Taycan electric sports car. This the company claims are the first tyre in the premium vehicle manufacturer's original equipment range with this prestigious certification.

Klaus Krause, VP & Head of Europe Technical Center, Hankook said, “The ISCC PLUS-certified iON evo represents the culmination of our ambition to produce tyres that are truly more sustainable. We are also very proud that our European production plant in Hungary, where the iON evo is produced, is the second Hankook site worldwide to receive the coveted ISCC PLUS certification. The fact that Porsche has chosen the iON evo as original equipment for the new Taycan is of course a big vote of confidence for us. Thanks to our motorsport-proven technologies, the Hankook tyre with its increased sustainability and optimised rolling resistance makes a significant contribution to increasing the range of the high-performance electric sports car.” 

Sustainability at the core

Despite the high content of 45 percent sustainable materials, the developers at Hankook have said to succeed in increasing the iON evo’s sustainability without having to compromise on tyre safety and performance. The engineers used renewable and recycled materials that match the strength, flexibility, and durability of conventional tyre components. These include bio-based silica from grain waste, recycled PET textile cord from plastic waste, bio-circular synthetic rubber from bio-circular feedstocks, recycled carbon black from used tires, and even natural resin. The Hankook team responsible for the development of the tyre were also able to leverage the knowledge gained from Formula E, where a racing tyre with a high percentage of sustainable materials – the iON Race – is used.

The new iON evo with the ISCC PLUS logo on its sidewall is making its debut as original equipment for the Porsche Taycan in the dimensions 245/40 R21Y XL (FA) and 285/35 R21Y XL (RA). Like the other tyres in the iON family, this advanced development uses a tread mixture with plant-based oils. It not only makes the tread more sustainable overall, but also has a positive effect on the durability. For support during especially dynamic driving or sudden lane changes, the Hankook engineers also used reinforced material to increase the lateral stiffness. The engineers also benefited from knowledge gained in previous homologation processes for the premium manufacturer.

Increased range

Hankook states as with the other iON models, the new iON evo with ISCC PLUS certification offers greatly reduced rolling resistance compared to a conventional tyre, which increases the range per battery charge of the Porsche Taycan. 

Porsche itself states that up to 40km more can be possible thanks to the 21-inch aero wheel from Hankook. In addition, the Hankook iON products are particularly designed for the immediately available high torque produced by powerful electric vehicles. All in all, what this means for the electric car driver is more range per battery charge and a feeling of real safety and comfort when driving.

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ARLANXEO has launched its ISCC PLUS-certified Keltan Eco rubber grades in India, responding to rising demand for sustainable materials in the world’s most populous nation.

The German-based performance elastomers manufacturer unveiled the portfolio through technical seminars and workshops, targeting automotive components, wires and cables applications where customers increasingly value environmental credentials.

The Keltan Eco range comprises Eco-B and Eco-BC grades derived from bio-based and bio-circular feedstocks, respectively, whilst maintaining identical physical and mechanical properties to conventional fossil fuel-based products. The materials offer resistance to oxygen, ozone, heat and radiation.

ARLANXEO employs a mass balance approach for certification, ensuring the volume of Eco-labelled products corresponds with sustainable source feedstock volumes. This methodology provides supply chain transparency and enables customers to verify sustainability claims in downstream applications.

“This new portfolio will help our customers seize sustainable growth opportunities in India and stay ahead amid industry transformation,” said Rupesh Shah, ARLANXEO India’s Managing Director and Regional Sales Head.

The company also showcased its Therban hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber speciality grades during the events, targeting original equipment manufacturers and component producers. Therban applications include air conditioning seals, timing belts, high-temperature gaskets for oil platforms and spacecraft components.

ARLANXEO operates as one of the world’s largest synthetic rubber producers with more than 10 production sites across eight countries and four research and development locations globally. The company serves automotive, tyre, electrical, construction and oil and gas sectors.

The Indian launch forms part of ARLANXEO’s broader strategy to expand sustainable product offerings across key growth markets. Additional ISCC PLUS-certified synthetic rubber grades will be introduced in India following the initial rollout.

India’s steady rubber consumption growth, driven by the automotive and infrastructure sectors, signals a significant opportunity for speciality chemical producers aiming for sustained market expansion. ARLANXEO is well-positioned to meet this demand, marking a decisive step toward a greener, more innovative rubber industry in India.

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Rathi Group, a leader in pyrolysis and end-of-life tyre (ELT) recycling, has achieved a significant milestone with its first export shipment of ISCC PLUS-certified pyrolysis oil. With over 12 years of industry expertise, the company continues to set benchmarks in sustainable recycling, innovation and circular economy practices.

This landmark export highlights Rathi Group’s ability to supply globally recognised, eco-friendly alternatives to conventional fossil fuels. The company’s integrated operations – spanning ELT shredding, continuous pyrolysis, carbon black recovery and oil distillation – adhere to stringent international sustainability standards.

The ISCC PLUS certification underscores Rathi Group’s commitment to environmental responsibility, supply chain transparency and climate-conscious solutions. The accomplishment reflects the efforts of its dedicated team and partners, reinforcing the company’s mission to drive impactful change in sustainable tyre recycling.

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Kraton Corporation, a global leader in speciality polymers and renewable biomaterials, has published its 2024 Sustainability Report, Innovating with Purpose. The report outlines the company’s advancements in climate action, circular product solutions and supply chain sustainability, reinforcing its commitment to a greener future.

Key achievements include a 41 percent reduction in Scope 1 & 2 emissions since 2014, a 35 percent decrease in emissions intensity and maintaining EcoVadis’ Platinum rating for the fourth straight year. Kraton also received the 2024 Nitto Supplier Sustainability Award and conducted a Double Materiality Assessment to refine its ESG strategy.

Operational milestones feature a USD 35 million upgrade to its Florida biorefinery, expanded lifecycle assessment (LCA) data covering 90 percent of its product portfolio and a new data excellence programme to enhance ESG transparency.

Aligned with GRI, SASB, UN Global Compact and TCFD frameworks, the report emphasises Kraton’s sustainability pillars: Reliable Partnerships, Planetary Stewardship and Empowering People. These efforts reflect the company’s dedication to responsible innovation and measurable environmental progress.

Marcello Boldrini, CEO, Kraton, said, “2024 marked a pivotal year in Kraton’s sustainability journey. We turned ambition into action, significantly reducing our Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 41 percent from our 2014 baseline and earned an EcoVadis Platinum rating for the fourth consecutive year. We accelerated our decarbonisation strategy, advanced biobased innovation and partnered with customers such as WJ Group and Henkel to help address global sustainability challenges. As demand for sustainable chemicals grows, our focus remains on developing the right solutions, fostering strong partnerships and cultivating the culture necessary to lead this transformation responsibly and competitively.”

Rogier Roelen, Chief Sustainability Officer, Kraton, said, “We have established new processes to scale credible, data-driven sustainability across our business. In 2024, we enhanced our ESG reporting through a data harmonisation programme and completed a Double Materiality Assessment to better align with the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). We also expanded our Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) data to cover almost 90 percent of our product portfolio, providing customers with greater transparency into the environmental impact of our products. These efforts reinforce our ability to identify where we can make the most impact and support more informed, strategic decision-making.”

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The German rubber industry is undergoing significant shifts, according to the German Rubber Industry Association (wdk) in its mid-2025 economic report. While order trends show improvement for the first time in years, domestic production continues to struggle, reflecting broader structural challenges.

High energy costs, excessive bureaucracy and rising labour expenses remain persistent hurdles, particularly for globally competitive firms. Although rising orders may boost annual sales slightly compared to 2024, domestic output is expected to decline by one percent. Many companies are relocating production abroad due to Germany’s worsening cost disadvantages.

The federal government’s ‘investment booster’ initiative has failed to inspire confidence, with only 27 percent of industry leaders anticipating positive effects. wdk President Michael Klein described this as an alarming sign, emphasising that businesses lack faith in current economic policies. He urged immediate relief measures rather than delayed solutions.

Klein also stressed the need for inclusive policymaking, criticising the government’s focus on large corporations while neglecting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). He warned that without targeted support for these critical players, Germany risks losing its status as a key industrial hub for the rubber sector. The call for urgent action highlights growing concerns over the industry’s future viability in the country.

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