S.Korea commercializes recycled materials EV tire

South Korea's Hyosung Advanced Materials, SK Chemicals Co., and Hankook Tire & Technology announced on Mar. 6. that they commercialized a dedicated electric vehicle (EV) tire “ion”, made from recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) materials.

This is the first finished product tire for EV which is utilized recycled PET.

The three companies co-worked for two years to develop and commercialize the ion.

SK Chemicals supplied the recycled PET, while Hyosung Advanced Materials developed high-strength tire cords from the material. These tire cords were then applied to Hankook Tire's brand for EVs.

The companies explained that the product contains 45% sustainable materials.

Tire cords are fibrous reinforcements that maintain the shape of the tire and withstand loads and impacts during driving.

On the ion, the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) Plus logo will be carved.

Write to Woo-Sub Kim at duter@hankyung.com