최초입력 2025.09.23 11:33:21
Hyundai Motor and Kia said on Tuesday that they developed low-carbon steel belts in collaboration with Hyundai Steel, Hyosung Advanced Materials, and Hankook Tire.
Steel belts are tire components made of steel cords inserted within rubber layers to support loads and minimize twisting and deformation. The new eco-friendly steel belt reduces carbon dioxide emissions during the production process by 22 percent through the use of steel scrap and electric arc furnaces.
According to Hyundai and Kia, each car equipped with the new belt will reduce emissions by more than 3 kilograms, equivalent to the annual CO₂ absorption of an oak tree. The belt also incorporates a specialized heat treatment process optimized for recycled materials, delivering premium strength.
The automakers plan to gradually apply the low-carbon steel belts to tires on future Hyundai and Kia vehicles.
Hong Seung-hyun, head of Hyundai Motor and Kia’s Materials Research and Engineering Center, said the development was the result of collaboration among Korea’s leading companies under a shared goal of a sustainable future. He added that the companies will continue to improve the technology to make it a meaningful milestone on the path to carbon neutrality.
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