Kumho investigating CCTV report's China production claims
South Korean tyre manufacturer Kumho has responded to Chinese news station CCTV’s claims that one of its Chinese factories uses a high proportion of rework rubber in tyre production. Amongst other things in the 15 March report, CCTV claimed that Kumho Tires’ own production standards were not being met at the Tianjin factory and that the rules were only adhered to when OE customers visited.
In a written statement sent to Tyres & Accessories in answer to questions about the reports, Kumho said it has “moved rapidly to implement a thorough internal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the report and expects to release the results of this process at the earliest possible date.”
Contrary to earlier reports published on some online new services, Kumho did not deny using rework rubber in production, but emphasised that rubber used in the Tianjin factory scrutinised by CCTV is mixed “according to a standard procedure.” The company also noted that it is common practice in the tyre industry to use rework rubber in production and this does not affect tyre safety. CCTV claimed that as much as 50 per cent of rework rubber was being used at the plant as opposed to what they said was a 25 per cent internally imposed limit. Another tyre manufacturer told Tyres & Accessories that between 4 and 5 per cent of rework rubber was used in its production process.
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