Hankook has expanded its UHP winter tyre line-up with the new Winter i*cept evo 3 for cars and the Winter i*cept evo 3 X for SUVs.

This new development focuses not only on the changing weather conditions in Europe, but also on the requirements of hybrid and electric vehicles, as manufacturers which will be fitted with the Winter i*cept evo 3 as “ev” version ex works in future. For the first time, the company’s development engineers opted for a directional tread pattern on their new flagship winter tyres. This not only provides excellent grip on snow, but also helps to effectively reduce the risk of aquaplaning.

“With the Winter i*cept evo 3 and Winter i*cept evo 3 X, our development engineers have created two lines of winter tyres with a wide range of product features that are able to respond particularly well to the changing and increasingly demanding winter weather conditions,” says Sanghoon Lee, President of Hankook Tire Europe. “We are therefore confident that these new tread patterns will meet our customers’ high expectations.

“European winters have changed as a result of climate change – mild temperatures alternate with sudden onsets of winter that bring frost and snow, and dry days are unexpectedly interrupted by heavy rainfall,” says Klaus Krause, head of the ETC European Research and Development Center in Hanover, Germany. Even wet leaves on the road surface can quickly spell dangerous road conditions. This makes it all the more important for responsible drivers to use the right tyres during the cold season, and ensure they are well equipped for all winter weather conditions. “A highlight of the third i*cept evo series is hidden in the tread compound. In addition to natural resins, special additives are also used here to ensure the tyre stays flexible at all times, especially at low temperatures, while at the same time achieving significant improvements in grip on wet surfaces,” Krause continues.

This is also confirmed by the latest winter tyre test from Europe's leading automobile magazine. The magazine Auto Bild tested a total of 56 tyres in the size 245/45 R 18 100 V on a BMW 5 Series. The result: only six treads could be recommended without reservation and awarded the highest rating "Exemplary", among them the new Hankook Winter i*cept evo 3.

The tyres are highly adapted to winter conditions thanks to technical innovations, particularly in terms of the compounds used and the tread pattern itself. The use of natural pine resins ensures the necessary flexibility at a very wide range of temperatures, prevents hardening and thus helping to improve grip on winter and wet roads due to increased elasticity of the tyre’s contact surface. In combination with the directional tread pattern, grip on snow and wet surfaces is optimised even further. The particularly efficient displacement and drainage of water (or slush) via the two main drainage grooves, which are 20% wider in the V-shaped tread pattern, play an important role in further reducing the risk of aquaplaning. The braking distance on wet roads has also been reduced by 7%, and on snowy roads by as much as 10% compared to previous tread patterns. In addition to the natural resins, a highly dispersible nano-silica compound is used, supplemented by other traction-enhancing additives. Along with the further optimised ratio of positive to negative elements in the tread pattern, this makes the Winter i*cept evo 3 very well equipped for the highly varied road conditions created by the European winter.

In addition to the high-grip tread compound, the further optimised arrangement of 3D sipes in conjunction with the directional tread pattern ensures reliable traction and lateral driving stability on snowy roads. The snow traction performance is supported by an increased number of ice-axe shaped tread block edges that grip the snow effectively.

The minimisation of block movements, achieved by the further optimised arrangement and design of the 3D sipes, has a positive effect on abrasion, as well as ensuring a high level of driving stability. The maximised edge effects also improve the general handling properties.

The new Winter i*cept evo 3 series was developed especially for use on powerful vehicles with a lot of torque. A reinforced carcass structure ensures high driving stability and a high-strength bead core maintains optimised positioning on the rim. In combination with the wide tyre shoulder and the optimised block design, this ensures more precise steering response and improved grip when cornering, as well as optimised handling even on dry roads. The shoulder area of the new Hankook UHP winter tyre, with wide interlocking shoulder blocks, also provides the tread’s necessary block stiffness, thereby increasing cornering stability even at higher speeds.

Both tread patterns are mainly manufactured in Hankook’s modern European production facility in Hungary. When it comes to market, the Winter i*cept evo 3 tread pattern for cars will be available in 50 sizes from 17 to 21 inches with tread widths from 195 to 295 mm and aspect ratios from 30 to 60 in the speed indices from H to W. The SUV version, the Winter i*cept evo 3 X, is currently available in 45 sizes from 17 to 22 inches with tread widths from 215 to 315 mm and aspect ratios from 30 to 65 in speed indices H to W. Over the course of next year the line-up will be further expanded, and the predecessor gradually replaced.

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Hankook has confirmed its partnership for the 2026 Convoy Truck Shows, stepping in as an infield partner for the series, which runs in tandem with the British Truck Racing Championships (BTRC). These events offer a distinctive fusion of high-octane track action and the immersive atmosphere of a large-scale truck gathering. This renewed involvement deepens Hankook’s footprint at some of the most eagerly awaited dates on the UK motorsport and haulage calendar.

The season’s schedule commences with Convoy on the Plain on 16–17 May, followed by Convoy Cymru on 20–21 June. The flagship gathering, Convoy in the Park, will round off the summer season on 8–9 August. Attendees can look forward to a full agenda of British truck racing, breathtaking stunt performances, live entertainment and attractions for all ages, alongside a remarkable display of working vehicles, custom rigs and pristine show trucks. Mirroring its sponsorship of the Devon Truck Show, Hankook’s partnership with the Convoy series supports its wider mission to generate substantial donations for local charitable causes and community groups, positioning it as an event with purpose beyond spectacle.

At each of these shows, Hankook will spotlight its cutting-edge range of commercial and consumer tyres. Key exhibits will feature the SmartFlex AH51 for steer axles and the SmartFlex DH51 for drives, both engineered for long-haul and regional use and prized for superior traction and extended durability. Also on show will be the SmartFlex TH31 trailer tyre, the Vantra Transit summer tyre for commercial vans and several models from the Laufenn portfolio, such as the LZ22 all-weather drive tyre, the LF21 all-position tyre and the robust LF95 trailer tyre.

Rounding out the display are the Dynapro HP2 all-season SUV tyre and the iON evo SUV, a cutting-edge summer tyre purpose-built for electric vehicles, underlining Hankook’s forward-looking approach to sustainable mobility. Through its involvement in the Convoy Truck Shows, Hankook reinforces its dedication to the haulage industry by engaging directly with drivers, fleet operators and enthusiasts, showcasing tyre innovations focused on safety, efficiency and peak performance, all while actively contributing to valuable community initiatives.

Event Director Mike Quartley said, "We’re thrilled to have Hankook Tyre UK return as an official sponsor of the Convoy Truck Shows. After the success of last year’s collaboration, continuing the partnership was an easy decision for us. Hankook’s commitment to the industry and to our events adds real value across the board – from contributing to the scale and quality of the events to elevating the atmosphere and experience for our audience. We’re proud to be building on this relationship as the Convoy series continues to grow.”

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The tyre industry gathered to honour outstanding innovation and individual accomplishment over the past year during the Tire Technology Expo 2026 held in Hannover. The Tire Technology International Awards, spanning 13 categories, recognised both technological progress and the commitment to a more sustainable future within the tyre sector. Organised by the Tire Technology International magazine, the winners were selected by an independent panel of journalists and technical experts.

Sustainability was a dominant theme, highlighted by three distinct environmental awards. Bridgestone received the award for tyre design innovation, celebrated for developing a truck tyre composed of 70 percent recycled and renewable materials, a notable industry milestone. In manufacturing, Continental was acknowledged for its significant strides in reducing freshwater consumption during production with the Environmental Achievement of the Year – Manufacturing award. The Environmental Achievement – Industry Contribution award went to the BioButterfly project, a collaborative effort involving Michelin, IFP Energies Nouvelles and Axens. This initiative was praised for creating bio-based butadiene from bioethanol, presenting a credible substitute for fossil fuel-derived materials and demonstrating strong potential for immediate industrial application.

Further technical achievements were recognised across several categories. Flexsys earned the Chemicals and Compounding Innovation of the Year award for developing the first practical alternative to the antioxidant 6PPD after extensive research. Teijin Aramid was honoured with the Materials Innovation of the Year award for industrialisation of its high-performance Twaron Next para-aramid fibre. A collaborative R&D breakthrough by Goodyear and TNO, which integrates tyre intelligence directly into a vehicle's automatic emergency braking systems to enhance safety, won the R&D Breakthrough of the Year award. In manufacturing equipment, Comerio Ercole’s advanced modular calendering line, Zeus, won the Tire Manufacturing Innovation of the Year award. Uzer Makina, a long-time finalist, was finally named Tyre Industry Supplier of the Year.

The event also celebrated conceptual and product excellence. Michelin had a particularly successful evening, first winning the Tire Concept of the Year award for its Lunar Airless Wheel, designed to withstand the extreme conditions on the moon. The company then claimed the highly anticipated Tire of the Year award for its Primacy 5 Energy, a tyre noted by the jury for achieving top EU label ratings in most sizes while offering improved longevity and reduced emissions compared to its predecessor. In the final major category, Continental was named Tire Manufacturer of the Year for the second consecutive year and the fifth time overall, following a review of the top manufacturers' yearly contributions.

The awards also highlighted personal achievements within the field. The Young Scientist Prize for 2026 was presented to Max Dixey, a PhD student at Queen Mary University of London, for his compelling presentation on the effects of carbon black activators. Finally, a Lifetime Achievement Award was bestowed upon Michelin’s Pascal Prost. A veteran engineer, researcher and long-time contributor to both the conference and the awards jury, Prost was celebrated by peers and colleagues for his enduring and significant impact on the tyre industry.

Matt Ross, Chairman of the awards and Editor-in-Chief of Tire Technology International, said, “As is now becoming the norm, this year’s awards were incredibly close. Continental and Michelin have picked up multiple awards and should be highly commended, but I’m also happy to see such an array of winners across the whole range of categories. The level of innovation on display across the tyre sector is staggering, and I hope that this year’s awards have captured even a hint of the groundbreaking work taking place to move this industry forward.”

On Frost’s achievement, Ross said, “For as long as I have worked on Tire Technology International and these awards, Pascal has been a valued contributor, a hugely appreciated advisor – and a wonderful sounding board. I would like to join with his peers and friends from across the industry in celebrating his phenomenal contribution to the tyre business.”

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MRF has announced a significant move to expand its manufacturing footprint in southern India. The company revealed that it has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Tamil Nadu Government, facilitated through the state’s nodal investment promotion agency, Guidance. This preliminary agreement outlines the company’s intent to establish a greenfield manufacturing unit dedicated to the production of automotive tyres and related ancillary products. The proposed facility is planned for location within the SIPCOT Industrial Park situated in the Sivaganga District of Tamil Nadu.

As the agreement is currently non-binding, its progression to a final commitment is contingent upon several conditions. These include the Tamil Nadu government’s sanction of a bespoke incentive package, the provision of necessary infrastructure, the allotment of land and the securing of all requisite statutory approvals in accordance with applicable state laws.

According to the official statement released by MRF, the project, upon receiving all clearances and moving forward, envisions a substantial capital outlay. The estimated investment for this venture is projected to be approximately INR 53 billion, with the capital expenditure to be phased over a 12-year period. Beyond the financial injection into the region’s economy, the initiative is also anticipated to be a major source of employment, with expectations of creating direct job opportunities for around 1,000 individuals.

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The second Sustainable Development (ESG) Industrial Ecosystem Innovation Competition for Chinese and Foreign Enterprises in Shanghai’s Pudong New Area recently concluded, with Sailun Group emerging as a distinguished honouree. Recognised for its collaborative ESG efforts with Vale, a global leader in metal and mining, Sailun received the prestigious ‘Innovative Model’ award, standing out as the sole tire company to achieve this recognition.

Organised jointly by the Shanghai Pudong Foreign-Invested Enterprises Association and the Shanghai Pudong Domestic-Funded Enterprises Association, the competition welcomed participation from companies registered and operating in the area, along with their partners. Invited by Vale Metals (Shanghai), Sailun took an active role by meticulously organising and presenting its innovative achievements in sustainable development. Through a structured application process highlighting solid practices and creative excellence, the company successfully secured the award.

Vale, one of the world’s foremost iron ore producers, maintains a longstanding strategic partnership with Sailun. Driven by a mutual dedication to sustainable supply chains, the two organisations have intensified collaboration, particularly in mining tyre supply. By integrating Sailun’s low-carbon tyre technologies, they inject environmental vitality into operations while enabling Vale to achieve refined efficiency through cutting-edge solutions. Their partnership exemplifies a synergistic model that harmonises efficiency, safety and low-carbon practices, serving as a standout case of ESG-driven empowerment across the industrial chain.

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