NEWS
Kumho Petrochemical Acquires “ISCC PLUS,” an International Sustainability & Carbon Certificate
No. 18
Date registered : 2023.02.08
■ The environmental friendliness and sustainability of the entire supply network process for four synthetic rubber products used in tire manufacturing have been recognized.
■ “Starting with the current ISCC PLUS certification, we will fully build a sustainable product portfolio … We will continue to pursue Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) management,” said the president and CEO of the company, Baek Jong-hoon.
Kumho Petrochemical (President and CEO Baek Jong-hoon) announced on February 7 that the company acquired the ISCC PLUS certificate for its four synthetic rubber products.
ISCC PLUS is a sustainability certification program that ensures a company’s environmental compliance with the entire supply network process, from the purchase of raw materials to the production and sales of commodities, based on the standards of the European Union’s Renewable Energy Directive (EU RED).
ISCC is an organization with high credibility in sustainability, known for its transparent examination standards and rigorous certification process. Its members include about 140 raw material manufacturers, research agencies, and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) worldwide.
The products for which the company acquired the certificate are mainly synthetic rubber used in tire manufacturing. They are the following: solution polymerized styrene butadiene rubber (SSBR), ▲ high-cis polybutadiene rubber (HBR), ▲ low-cis polybutadiene rubber (LBR), and ▲ ultrahigh-cis polybutadiene rubber (NdBR).
With the certification, the company has laid the groundwork for transitioning the butadiene and styrene, the primary raw materials used in the four synthetic rubber products, to bio-based and renewable materials. Based on this, the company intends to step-by-step manufacture synthetic rubber using ISCC PLUS–certified eco-friendly raw materials such as recycled styrene monomer (RSM).
RSM and waste polystyrene (PS) are pyrolyzed to obtain eco-friendly raw materials used to make synthetic rubber and resin. Last year, the company announced the full pursuit of its RSM business with plans to commercialize it in 2026.
If Kumho Petrochemical procures bio-based, renewable, and recycled raw materials instead of fossil fuels for its butadiene and styrene, it will reduce the greenhouse gas emission of its material production. It can also help minimize the emissions of its client companies in the tire and automobile fields.
The company intends to acquire the ISCC PLUS certificate for other synthetic rubber and resin products, such as acrylonitrile butadiene latex (NB latex), to secure a sustainable product series and reduce carbon dioxide emissions from its supply network.
“Starting with the current ISCC PLUS certification, we will fully build a sustainable product portfolio … We will continue to pursue ESG management,” Baek said.
No. 182023.02.08
Kumho Petrochemical Acquires “ISCC PLUS,” an International Sustainability & Carbon Certificate
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