Hankook launches footwear made of recycled tires

Seoul – Hankook Tire has collaborated with Korean leather shoes brand YASE to launch eco-friendly shoes made of recycled tires.

The two companies developed the shoes as part of their “Zero – Leave nothing behind’ project, which is committed to sustainable materials and environmental protection. 

The recycled tires, said Hankook in a 31 Aug statement, are used for the shoe outsole, offering mobility to consumers as tires do in the automotive industry.

In total, five products are being unveiled through the collaboration: four dress shoes and one comfort insole. 

The shoes are sold online in Korea. 

Hankook Tire plans to continue collaboration with YASE to additionally launch running shoes lineup in October.

This is the second time Hankook presents footwear offerings through a cross-industry collaboration. 

The Korean tire maker worked with shoe-sole maker Vibram in 2015 to develop “futuristic” concept tires and shoes. 

“We are happy to announce the collaboration which leads to mutually inspired progressive innovation for both companies,” said Jimmy Kwon, VP, Hankook Tire’s Brand Lab.

“It’s great to see our tires that have reached the end of their lives turning into outsoles of footwear to take people to where they want,” he added.

The shoes, he said, will be “as hard-wearing and robust as our tires” which are developed with “high quality materials and cutting-edge technologies.”