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The EUR 540 million investment will expand the company’s manufacturing capacity while enhancing the efficiency and flexibility of its European supply operations, providing more direct access to its premium products.
The new production unit will focus on advanced Industry 4.0 technologies, including artificial intelligence-driven design, 3D metal printing and multi-layer tread solutions.
“The algorithms driven by artificial intelligence not only optimize tread patterns, but also enable completely new approaches in creating a balance between performance and wear,” said Róbert Kaliba, head of sales for Hankook’s truck and bus tire division in Hungary. “Our vision is that what seemed like an unattainable solution a few years ago should become part of everyday operations.”
A key innovation will be the use of 3D metal printing to produce vulcanization molds, enabling the creation of multi-layer tread designs that significantly improve durability and safety.
“With the vulcanization molds, we have achieved that the tread is not a homogeneous layer: during wear, a new pattern appears that is capable of maintaining the tire’s original wet grip and braking properties. This represents a fundamentally new level in performance stability,” a company expert said.
The development will also focus on tires for electric commercial vehicles, which must withstand higher weight and torque while maintaining low noise levels and rolling resistance.
Hankook has already introduced products tailored for electric passenger vehicles under its iON line and recently launched its first tire specifically designed for electric buses, the e-Smart City AU56. The model contains 37% sustainable materials and is designed to improve mileage, reduce noise and deliver fuel savings.
Production at the Rácalmás plant is expected to reduce reliance on overseas logistics, cutting delivery times from two to three months to near immediate response capability for European partners.
As a result of the expansion, the facility will have the capacity to produce up to 800,000 tires annually.
“The greatest advantage of domestic production is that it creates a direct connection between market demand and production, allowing us to respond to our partners’ expectations much faster and more efficiently. This operating model will support the strengthening of our European presence and the further expansion of our sales volume in the long term,” Kaliba said. “We are not just talking about a new production line, but a strategic base that serves the mobility needs of the future and defines Hankook’s role in the European market.”
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