New Kumho concept tyre uses 80% sustainable materials

Kumho Tire has developed a tyre made from 80 per cent sustainable materials. The manufacturer said the tyre, which replaces petrochemicals with sustainably sourced and recycled materials, represents a step towards its goal to develop products made entirely of sustainable materials by 2045.

Kumho currently uses an average of 25 per cent sustainable materials in its products. The company plans to increase this to 40 per cent by 2030 en route to its 100 per cent target. It adds that it is conducting intensive research into recycled materials and innovative plant-based materials.

Mansik Cho, head of research and development at Kumho Tire, said: “Sustainability is the key to our survival. We will strive to develop alternative materials to give us a competitive advantage in technologies to achieve CO2 neutrality and to act as a partner for sustainable mobility.”

The latest concept tyre utilises recycled PETs and steel cables as well as soot from pyrolysis oils obtained from old tyres. Kumho also mass-produces a variety of products such as natural rubber in accordance with the guidelines of the Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber (GPSNR).

The company has also developed synthetic rubber tyres made from recycled plastic. It has employed environmentally friendly silica from rice bran and biomass-based oils and chemicals made from sunflower oil instead of petroleum, alongside powdered end of life tyres.

In terms of the finished tyre product, Kumho is particularly focused on the consumption phase, pushing forward the development of tyres that consume less energy, have high wear resistance, produce little noise, and produce fewer tyre emissions. This is intended to reduce the environmental impact of tyres and the tyre business, and increase sales of environmentally friendly products.