SEOUL, Jan. 10 (Yonhap) — Hankook Tire & Technology Co. said Friday that it has signed a tentative agreement with Solvay Silica of Belgium to co-develop sustainable silica, a material used in making synthetic rubber.
Under a memorandum of understanding earlier in the day, the companies plan to develop silica by recycling industrial waste sand and mining by-products, with mass production targeted for 2030. The initiative is currently in the sample evaluation stage.
The global tire industry has increased the use of sustainable materials by utilizing discarded rice husks. However, the reliance on rice husks has faced challenges, including high procurement costs and limited sourcing regions.
To address these issues, Hankook Tire aims to replace rice husks with silica extracted from industrial waste sand and mining by-products. This sustainable approach aligns with the company’s vision to innovate eco-friendly tire production.
Ann Nuyttens (L), global president of Solvay Silica, and Koo Bon-hee, head of research and development at Hankook Tire & Technology Co., pose for a photo at a memorandum of understanding signing ceremony held at Hankook Tire’s research facility in Daejeon, some 140 kilometers south of Seoul, on Jan. 10, 2025, in this photo provided by Hankook Tire. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
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