Hankook Tire and Solvay Collaborate for the Development of 'Circular Silica'

- Memorandum of Understanding signing ceremony held at ‘Hankook Technodome’ on January 10th with key representatives from both companies in attendance
- Strategic partnership aims to collaborate on circular silica development from various raw material sources
- Hankook's significant contribution to circularity and sustainability is enhanced by Solvay's massive circular conversion of all its plants

Seoul, Korea, January 13, 2025 — Global leading tire company Hankook Tire & Technology (Hankook Tire) announced today that it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Solvay Silica on January 10th to jointly develop the innovative ‘Circular Silica.’ This strategic partnership will focus on collaborating in circular silica development for tire manufacturing, marking a significant step forward in sustainable tire production.

Both companies formalized the partnership during a signing ceremony on January 10th at the Hankook Technodome, Hankook Tire’s state-of-the-art research center. The ceremony brought together senior leadership from both companies, including Bonhee Ku, President & CTO of Hankook Tire and An Nuyttens, President Silica & Special Chem GBU, Solvay. During the event, both companies confirmed collaboration to circular silica development from various raw material sources.

Global tire companies have been utilizing 'Rice Husk Ash Silica,' derived from discarded rice husks, to increase their content of sustainable raw materials. However, in some locations, this approach faces challenges such as high costs and limitations in diversifying supply regions. Rice husks present logistical challenges due to their high volumetric weight, resulting in high transportation costs. To overcome such limitations, Hankook Tire has been actively exploring the development of circular silica from various sources proposed by Solvay.

Hankook Tire is currently advancing its technical development with Solvay Silica, targeting gradual mass production of circular silica in the near future, sample evaluation being underway. Through the partnership, Hankook's significant contribution to circularity and sustainability will be enhanced thanks to Solvay's massive circular conversion of all its plants.

Meanwhile, Hankook Tire remains committed to leading the sustainable growth of the tire industry through various initiatives. As part of these efforts, the company successfully commercialized its EV-specific tire brand, 'iON' that applies the first chemically recycled PET fiber tire cord in Korea, in April last year - in collaboration with SK Chemicals and Hyosung Advanced Materials. Additionally, in May 2023, Hankook Tire also signed an MOU with Kumho Petrochemical for the development and business cooperation of eco-friendly tires.