Synthos S.A. (Oswiecim, Poland) has announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Kumho Tire, a leading South Korean tire manufacturer, for the joint development of sustainable tire raw materials.
Under the MOU, the two companies will conduct a joint research and development project for Neodymium-Butadiene rubber using Bio-Butadiene and expand the use of environmentally friendly synthetic rubber in tire manufacturing.
Dr. Malte Wohlfahrt, R&D Director, Synthos Synthetic Rubber, emphasized the importance of collaboration in the research and development of sustainable rubber and tire materials. “We are very pleased to be selected as one of Kumho Tire’s key partners to strengthen its efforts to develop environmentally friendly tires. We strongly believe that we have the best chance to contribute to net zero mobility if we can work together with industry leaders like Kumho Tire, who has already produced tires made from 55% sustainable raw materials in 2022 and is currently developing tires made from 80% sustainable raw materials that will be launched by the end of 2023. Kumho Tire’s impressive experience in developing tires with a lower carbon footprint combined with Synthos’ extensive expertise in sustainable synthetic rubber will enable further carbon footprint reduction towards our shared goal of carbon neutrality by 2050.”