Kordsa boosts sustainability score

IZMIT, Turkey— Kordsa Teknik Testil A.S. earned a higher score on its 2019 sustainability report card issued by the Carbon Disclosure Project, which Kordsa said is the only non-government organization that assesses how publicly traded companies manage climate change risk.

The subsidiary of Sabanci Holding raised its grade from a C- to a B for its efforts to produce lighter and more durable tire and composite materials using less energy and materials.

Founded in 1973, Izmit-based Kordsa offers tire and construction reinforcement and composites technologies, including nylon- and polyester-based fibers and fabrics to reinforce radial and bias tires for automobiles, airplanes, motorcycles, agricultural and industrial vehicles.

Kordsa says it reinforces one out of every three car tires, and two out of every three airplane tires in the world for customers such as Bridgestone, Michelin, Continental, Goodyear, Pirelli, Sumitomo, Hankook, Yokohama and Cheng Shin Tire.

Kordsa said it stood out with its above-average performance to address climate issues compared to the global and European average grade of C earned by other companies. CDP, a non-profit, citizen-based group, said it scored more than 8,000 companies—including more than 2,400 in North America—from A to D-, with only the top 2 percent making the A list.

Kordsa was recognized for increased recycling efforts and environmental investments. The company reused about 3 million paper tubes at a savings of $1.82 million and took steps to better manage emissions and waste that were worth $790,000, according to a Kordsa news release.