HANKOOK RELEASES 2024/25 ESG REPORT REFLECTING SUSTAINABLE VALUE CREATION

Premium tyre manufacturer Hankook has released its 2024/25 ESG Report, outlining its sustainability initiatives, performance, and strategic direction over the past year.

Now in its 16th edition, this year’s report offers a multi-dimensional view of Hankook’s sustainability practices from the past year, based on its global ESG vision encompassing Eco Value Chain, Sustainable Product and Responsible Engagement.

The report presents an enhanced framework that incorporates social, environmental, and financial impacts in identifying disclosure indicators following the double materiality assessment guidelines of the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). It also highlights the company’s commitment to embedding ESG management practices in line with global standards by strengthening biodiversity-related disclosures that comply with global disclosure standards, including the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosure (TNFD).

Notably, the report provides details on the management status and future tasks related to eight major management issues concerning climate change and resource circulation. These include the major initiatives and outcomes of climate change mitigation, energy efficiency management, hazardous and chemical substance management, resource circulation management, worker health and safety, respect for human rights, supply chain ESG risk management as well as research and development and technological innovation.

The company is also actively advancing initiatives to respond to the evolving global ESG regulatory environment. Hankook has established a company-wide committee to proactively address the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). The committee has developed effective response measures by implementing a comprehensive management system for the natural rubber supply chain, along with regular monitoring and reporting protocols. The company also continues to track and manage region-specific ESG issues based on ongoing analysis and monitoring across its global operations.

Hankook is also reinforcing its internal operational systems to support sustainable management. Since 2021, the company has operated an ESG Committee under its Board of Directors, thereby defining its ESG-driven management approach and establishing a more structured foundation for sustainable growth.

Efforts to accelerate the transition to a circular economy within the tyre industry have also continued. In collaboration with Hyosung Advanced Materials and SK Chemicals, the company successfully commercialised Korea’s first tyre using chemically recycled PET fibre tyre cords last year. Additional milestones include the mass production of EV-exclusive tyres incorporating 77% sustainable raw materials certified under ISCC PLUS – an international certification scheme for environmentally friendly materials – and the production of three types of carbon black derived from waste tyre pyrolysis oil, also ISCC PLUS certified.

In addition, Hankook continues to advance a range of social contribution initiatives, including efforts to protect the global climate and marine ecosystems through biodiversity-related activities, promote human rights management and employee development, and foster mutual growth with local communities both in Korea and abroad.

Meanwhile, Hankook has made sustained company-wide efforts to build world-class competitiveness in sustainable management. These efforts began with the establishment of a dedicated CSR organisation in 2009, followed by the launch of the ESG Strategy Committee and Steering Committee in 2010. In 2018, the company announced its sustainable natural rubber policy and introduced ‘E.Circle’ – an eco-friendly circular economy strategy. Since 2023, it has also implemented internal evaluations of Board of Directors’ performance to enhance board independence, strengthen expertise, and reinforce transparent governance.

The 2024/25 report has been published in an interactive PDF format for user-friendly access and is available for free viewing and download on Hankook’s global official website ESG page (https://www.hankooktire.com/global/en/esg/esg-report.html) via both PC and mobile devices.