Leading tire maker Hankook Tire was included in Interbrand’s Best Korea Brands ranking for this year, according to the global brand consultancy last week.

Hankook was chosen because its brand value climbed 16 percent compared to last year to reach 899.5 billion won ($838 million). This pushed it up one notch to 25th place among Korean brands in terms of brand value in the Interbrand survey.

Last year, Hankook Tire ranked among the top 10 tire makers in the world.

Hankook was the only tire-making brand to be included on Interbrand’s list. The auto brands Hyundai Motor, Kia Motors and Hyundai Mobis were also on the list.

For its efforts in social contribution, including a drive to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the company made it onto the 2013 Dow Jones Sustainability Asia Pacific Index.

It also made headlines when it announced that it was supplying tires to three premium German carmakers including Mercedes-Benz, not to mention providing tires for up to 30 motorsports exhibitions and contests last year.

Hankook Tire was also recently recognized for product design.

Earlier this month, it said its Kinergy 4S tires won the prestigious International Forum Design Award in Germany.

In 2013, the company’s eMembrane tire won the Reddot Design Award in 2013, while its Winter i*cept evo secured the U.S. Good Design Award in 2012.

By Bae Ji-sook (baejisook@heraldcorp.com)