Hankook Tire Comments on Aromatic Oil Compliance

The European Union has legislated that, as of January 1, 2010, highly aromatic oils with a high polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) content may no longer be utilised in tyres. In a note from its vice president of sales & marketing, H.S. Ahn, Hankook Tire Europe declares “all E-marked tyres sold by Hankook Tire Europe and its EU-based affiliates designated to be used on the territory of the European Union fully comply to this new EU-legislation.

“For many years Hankook Tire has consequently reduced the use of highly aromatic extender oils within its global tyre production by replacing them with eco-friendly so called “non labelling oils” to contribute to a healthier environment,” Ahn continued. “Already in 2007 the German consumer protection organisation ‘Stiftung Warentest’ has awarded the Hankook Optimo K715 as the most eco friendly tyre of its class due to the lowest amount of PCA in its compound. Also the Hankook ‘i*cept’ and ‘i*pike’ Winter tyres have been awarded with the prestigious Scandic “Swan”-Eco-label respecting their overall low ingredients of harmful substances.”