SEOUL – Kumho Tire Co., South Korea’s second-largest tire manufacturer, has entered into a partnership with European synthetic rubber producer Synthos S.A. for joint research and development of sustainable tire materials. The memorandum of understanding for this collaboration was signed on Thursday.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Under the agreement, Kumho Tire and Synthos will jointly work on developing ultra high cis polybutadiene rubber (NdBR) using bio-butadiene. NdBR is a critical component in tire manufacturing. This collaboration aims to utilize environmentally friendly synthetic rubber in the tire production process, aligning with broader sustainability goals.
Synthos, with production facilities in Germany, the Czech Republic, and Poland, has achieved certification under the European Union Renewable Energy Directive. This partnership aligns with Kumho Tire’s long-term strategy to increase the use of sustainable materials in its products. The company is working towards a goal of producing tires exclusively from natural and recycled materials by 2045, marking a significant commitment to environmental sustainability in tire manufacturing.