Synthos/Kumho Tire partner on biobutadiene tyre materials

Polish producer of synthetic rubber Synthos has announced an Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with South Korean tyre maker Kumho Tire for the joint development of sustainable tyre raw materials.

Under the MOU, the two companies will conduct a joint R&D project for Neodymium-Butadiene rubber using bio-butadiene and expand the use of environmentally friendly synthetic rubber in tyre manufacturing.

Kumho has already produced tyres made from 55% sustainable raw materials in 2022 and has developed tyres made from 80% sustainable raw materials this year.

Dr. Malte Wohlfahrt, R&D Director, Synthos Synthetic Rubber, emphasized the importance of collaboration in the R&D of sustainable rubber and tyre materials. “We are very pleased to be selected as one of Kumho Tire’s key partners to strengthen its efforts to develop environmentally friendly tyres. 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.”

He also added, “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.”

Synthos, which has production facilities in Germany, the Czech Republic and Poland, has achieved ISCC+ certification for its entire portfolio of synthetic rubber products as part of its efforts to support tyre manufacturers reduce their environmental impact.

Synthos is the largest producer of synthetic rubber in Europe with a differentiated product portfolio and a strong sustainability-focused technology roadmap that includes solution styrene-butadiene rubber (S-SBR), emulsion styrene-butadiene rubber (E-SBR), high and low cis polybutadiene rubber (Nd-BR, Ni-BR and Li-BR) and recycled rubber powder.