In late November, CEOs of 11 leading tire manufacturers gathered at the Tire Industry Project (TIP) CEO meeting in Kyoto, Japan, to set agendas for the research projects of the Tire Industry Project (TIP) focusing on sustainability issues. In attendance was global tire maker Hankook Tire, which shared its corporate social responsibility initiatives to pursue and realize sustainable growth.  

Established in 2005, TIP is a global CEO-led initiative undertaken by 11 leading tire manufacturing companies, which approximately account for 65 percent of the world’s tire manufacturing capacity. Together, TIP member companies discuss the tire industry’s impacts, mainly focusing on topics including end-of-life tire management and sustainable natural rubber. The project is operated under the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBSCD), a Swiss-based non-governmental organization focused on finding business solutions for a more sustainable world, said the company.

As a founding member of the project, Hankook Tire has been attending the CEO meeting every two years to review project progress and approve the new mandates for the upcoming two-year period. In its review of the programs during 2018-2019, the initiation of Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber (GPSNR), an independent multi-stakeholder platform created to lead improvements in the socioeconomic and environmental performance of the natural rubber value chain, was highly rated. Additionally, reports on the management on end-of-life tires (ELT) and Product Category Rule (PCR) for tires were highly recognized.

Following the review of progress, the CEOs went on to set and affirm the 2020-2021 agendas. The approved mandates include attempts to advance ELT management to engage stakeholders, continuous evaluation of commonly used chemicals, ongoing contribution to the finalization of OECD guidelines on nanomaterials throughout the tire lifecycle, development of WBCSD Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Sector Roadmap for TIP Members, etc. 

“The meeting has great significance in that the global leaders of the world’s biggest tire manufacturers gathered together to create a more sustainable tire industry. It was a fruitful meeting as much was accomplished.” said Hakjoo Kim, VP of the R&D material development at Hankook Tire. “As a global leading company, Hankook Tire reaffirms commitments to go further, and continue efforts to enhance social and environmental sustainability of the tire industry.”