SK Chemicals, Hyosung Advanced Materials, and Hankook Tire have jointly developed an electric vehicle tire, "iON", using "recycled polyester tire cord". The innovative tire is made from 45% sustainable materials, including recycled polymers, bio-based silica and round PET tire cord. These companies have successfully commercialized this tire, the first of its kind in Korea.
SK Chemicals' recycling technology breaks down waste plastics into molecular units that are then used to produce recycled plastics. Hyosung Advanced Materials has developed high-strength recycled PET tire cord using recycled PET from SK Chemicals. These tire cords are used in Hankook Tire's premium electric vehicle tire brand, iON. iON tires have passed rigorous reliability verification by European automakers and are now approved for use in new vehicles.
Tire cords are critical for maintaining tire shape, withstanding loads and impacts during driving, and improving durability, drivability and ride comfort. Electric vehicles require durable tire cord materials with high strength to support the weight of the battery.
SKChemicals' recycled PET "SKV PET CR" maintains high quality and safety even after unlimited recycling, and offers performance comparable to that of petrochemicals.
This tire development highlights a collaborative effort between chemical suppliers, materials companies and manufacturers focused on sustainability. The automotive industry is actively seeking sustainable materials from recycled or bio-sourced sources, consistent with the sustainability of fuels, including electric vehicles.
Hyunsuk Kim, head of the business development department at SK chemicals, said, "This joint development is significant because it represents the fruits of collaboration in establishing a circular economy linking material producers, intermediate product manufacturers, and final product production, with the aim of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and ensuring the sustainability of materials and products ", "We will continue to expand the use of recycled materials and strengthen cooperation with brand owners and various industries to ensure that such cases continue to emerge in different industries.
