Hankook Tire Joins Environmental Partnership
Hankook & Co
Prominent global tire manufacturer Hankook Tire announced its recent membership in the Suppliers Partnership for the Environment (SP), an esteemed alliance of automakers and suppliers united in their commitment to fostering positive environmental change within the U.S. automotive sector.
Established in 2002, SP serves as a dynamic platform for automakers and their suppliers to drive sustainability initiatives across three pivotal domains: operations, materials, and suppliers. By collaborating closely with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), SP facilitates the exchange of best practices and encourages heightened collaboration to address pressing environmental priorities.
Rob Williams, President of Hankook Tire America Corp, affirmed the centrality of sustainability to the company's ethos, stating, "Sustainability lies at the heart of Hankook's endeavours."
Williams emphasised the company's efforts to source sustainable raw materials, attain ESG certifications, and spearhead research into eco-friendly tire innovations alongside industry partners.
Hankook's remarkable contributions have earned it a distinguished position in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI World) for an impressive seven consecutive years. Joining SP underscores Hankook's commitment to fostering synergy with U.S. automakers and suppliers, all united by the shared aspiration of a more environmentally responsible automotive sector.
By enrolling in SP, Hankook stands to gain valuable insights and resources from fellow peers within the U.S. automotive landscape. These insights are poised to bolster Hankook's already commendable environmental, social, and governance (ESG) efforts at its Tennessee Plant in Clarksville and its North America headquarters in Nashville.
The partnership affords Hankook the unique opportunity to collaborate with industry frontrunners on environmental best practices, participate in specialised working groups to address sustainability imperatives and cultivate enhanced relationships with key stakeholders across governmental and non-governmental spheres.
Director of Suppliers Partnership for the Environment, Kellen Mahoney, emphasised the pivotal role of supplier collaborations in SP's mission, asserting, "Forming alliances with tire industry leaders to drive sustainable practices paves the way for our shared environmental objectives throughout the automotive value chain." Hankook's inclusion in SP's esteemed circle is a testament to its role as a pioneer in sustainable tire production.
Hankook Tire's laudable history of ESG undertakings aimed at optimising sustainability within the tire production process is well-documented. Notably, the company played a foundational role in the establishment of the Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber (GPSNR), a global collaborative platform advocating sustainable natural rubber practices. Hankook further solidified its commitment by adopting a natural rubber policy aligned with GPSNR guidelines in 2021.
Eric Shirley, Vice President of Sales, North America OE, highlighted Hankook's resolute dedication to a positive environmental legacy, expressing, "As a global ESG trailblazer, Hankook Tire is committed to creating a favourable environmental footprint on a global scale." Shirley affirmed the company's strategic alignment with SP, underscoring its eagerness to embark on novel initiatives alongside original equipment customers to advance shared sustainability aspirations.
Hankook's exceptional contributions were recognised with its attainment of the prestigious ISCC PLUS eco-friendly certification, a significant feat that underscored the company's eco-conscious achievements within the tire industry. In addition, Hankook's robust community engagement and adept ESG management were honoured through seven consecutive years of recognition on the illustrious Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI World), the pinnacle of global sustainability acknowledgement.
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Source: Hankook Tire
