February 11, 2025 – Solvay and Hankook Tire Join Forces to Pioneer Recycled Silica Development for a Sustainable Tire Future
Recently, Solvay, a leading global chemical company, and Hankook Tire, a tire manufacturer, announced a significant agreement to collaborate on technological innovation and jointly develop “recycled silica” materials. This partnership marks a crucial step forward in the field of sustainable tire production, infusing new vitality into the green development of the tire industry.
A grand signing ceremony was held at Hankook Technodome, the R&D center of Hankook Tire’s headquarters. Senior leaders including Bonhee Ku, President and CTO of Hankook Tire, and An Nuyttens, President of Solvay’s Silica and Specialties Global Business Unit, attended the ceremony, witnessing this historic moment. Under the agreement, the two parties will collaborate deeply to develop recycled silica from various raw materials, providing a more environmentally friendly and sustainable solution for tire production.
As understood from the Color Masterbatch Industry Network, the silica fillers traditionally used in tire production mainly come from newly mined raw materials, but the development of recycled silica is expected to change this status quo. Solvay, as a global expert in the field of silica, has proposed an innovative approach to developing recycled silica from various material sources. This idea aligns with Hankook Tire’s efforts to enhance the application of sustainable materials, leading to the strategic partnership between the two companies.
In the future, Solvay will undergo large-scale conversions of its factories worldwide to produce recycled silica, aiming to meet the demands of customers such as Hankook Tire. Hankook Tire will also continue to advance its technical cooperation with Solvay, gradually expanding the production scale of recycled silica and achieving new accomplishments in sustainable tire production. Currently, samples of Solvay’s recycled silica materials are undergoing comprehensive evaluations, potentially bringing revolutionary changes to the tire industry.
Furthermore, Hankook Tire will continue to lead the trend of sustainable development in the tire industry. Previously, the company has collaborated with multiple enterprises to launch iON new energy tire products using chemically recycled PET fiber cord fabric and initiated the “Tire-to-Tire Circular Economy Alliance,” dedicated to promoting the reuse of waste tires and the production of sustainable raw materials. These initiatives not only demonstrate Hankook Tire’s determination and action in sustainable development but also set an example for the entire tire industry.