Doğan Sevim, chief global sales and marketing officer, was at Tire Technology Expo 2024 to explain the reinforcement specialist’s new EV brand, REV.
Can you describe your company?
After graduating from Istanbul Technical University with a degree from the department of mechanical engineering, I pursued my master’s degree in computational mechanics at the Technical University of Munich. In 2009 I began my career in the industry as a project leader at Kordsa’s global R&D center. Over the years I have held various positions within Kordsa; since 2022 I have been the deputy general manager, overseeing sales and marketing.
What have been the biggest changes and trends since you joined the company?
In the automotive industry, CASE – Connected, Autonomous, Shared and Electric – highlights the transformative trends toward smarter, more sustainable mobility. ‘Connected’ vehicles leverage in-tire sensors for enhanced safety and efficiency, enabling real-time data exchange about tire status. ‘Autonomous’ driving technologies are advancing, requiring sophisticated AI and sensor integration for safer, driverless navigation. The ‘shared’ mobility model promotes vehicle sharing, reducing environmental impact and supporting sustainable transportation. Finally, ‘electric’ vehicles are at the forefront, driving demand for tires that accommodate the additional weight of batteries while
optimizing energy efficiency.
At Kordsa, we embrace these trends through our expanded concept, CASES, where ‘sustainability’ is integral. This approach not only aligns with global movements toward greener solutions but also showcases the company’s commitment to innovation, particularly with our REV brand for EV tires. Focused on low rolling resistance, durability and eco-friendly production, REV represents our dedication to advancing electric mobility and reinforcing life sustainability.
Can you tell us more about REV?
At Kordsa, we follow industrial evolutions closely with our customers and lead the transformations by tracking macro currents. The new product group was formed within the framework of the same vision. Indeed, this process naturally emerged as a dynamic part of our vision for continuous renewal and leadership.
The new REV product group recognizes the specific needs of EV tires compared with traditional vehicles, focusing on increased durability, reduced weight and lower rolling resistance. Kordsa offers 20 distinct products across three categories – low rolling resistance, improved durability and sustainability – addressing all of these unique requirements. Our innovations aim to extend vehicle range, enhancing tire life and promoting environmental sustainability, distinguishing our solutions in the market.
We were really excited about launching REV at Tire Technology Expo. The launch enabled us to strengthen ties with our partners and showcase REV’s innovative contributions to the EV sector. We’re anticipating that REV will foster new collaborations and drive progress in sustainable mobility,
reflecting our commitment to innovation and excellence.
What impact has vehicle electrification had on the tire sector?
Kordsa has significantly diversified its portfolio to meet the evolving demands of the automotive industry, particularly with the advent of electric vehicles. While our composite business unit represents our innovative stride into high-performance materials, it is our tire
reinforcement technologies and the launch of REV that underscores our commitment to shaping the future of sustainable mobility.
Kordsa’s introduction of the REV brand marks our proactive approach to the emerging demands of the EV market. It directly serves the EV sector’s need for tires that boost performance while reducing environmental impact.
“The new REV product group recognizes the specific needs of EV tires compared with traditional vehicles, focusing on increased durability, reduced weight and
lower rolling resistance”Doğan Sevim, chief global sales and marketing officer, Kordsa
Incorporating REV into our tire reinforcement portfolio signifies Kordsa’s dedication to not just adapting but also leading the shift toward more sustainable electric mobility. By enhancing tire range, durability and eco-friendliness, REV leverages our reinforcement technology expertise to meet modern EVs’ exacting standards, paving the way for a greener future in transportation.
And how is Kordsa improving its own sustainability?
Sustainability is a major concern in the modern world, and in this regard we are focusing our innovation efforts on the low-carbon economy. Within the scope of our 2050 net zero targets, we have committed to reducing our Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 46.2% by 2030, with our roadmap approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). We have been a signatory of the UN Global Compact (UNGC) since 2014 and have reported to the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) climate change program and water program since 2016.
In 2023, the company was once again awarded the Gold Medal by EcoVadis, as it was in the previous two years. Furthermore, in 2022, we participated in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment. Since 2016 we have been included in the BIST Sustainability Index, which lists leading companies in sustainability every year. We were included in the BIST Sustainability 25 Index; this was introduced by Borsa Istanbul in 2022 and lists companies with notable sustainability performance.
Sustainability has been a source of inspiration in our production processes. We assemble our projects within this framework. In this context, in line with our cooperation with our customers, we have focused on fulfilling the special requirements of electric vehicle tires and developed products that contribute to the performance of electric vehicles, which we have been working on for many years with our strong R&D setup.
We continue to follow industry trends closely with our market research and always stand by our customers with our marketing and sales teams.
This article originally appeared in the March 2024 Issue of Tire Technology International. To view the magazine in full, click here.
