Hankook opens high-tech R&D centre in South Korea

Daejeon, South Korea – Hankook Tire has opened a major, new research and development centre in the southern city of Daejeon, where it already has another technical centre for tire development.

At a ceremony unveiling the new Hankook Techodome, the company said the facility is part of its strategy to become a “top-tier” brand in the tire and automotive industry.

The centre, which will be  a cornerstone of the company's global R&D infrastructure, was designed by Apple designer Foster + Partners.

The €220-million facility stands on a floor space of 96,328?, within a six-storey R&D building.

According to Hankook, research into everything from materials to tire development and new technologies will be carried out at the centre, which will house 1000 employees by 2020.

The centre also has integrated driving simulation system as well as an SPMM (suspension parameter measuring machine) to carry out virtual testing and record digital results. Also, it will be equipped with a state-of-the-art tire noise tester.

During a press event at the opening, Hankook executive vice president Hyung Nam Kim confirmed that the company is also planning to build a bigger test track in South Korea to support product development at the Technodome.

The Hankook official added that local university Kaist had introduced a masters degree programme in tire engineering, which would supply experts to the Technodome.

"Hankook [is] actively dealing with rapid changes in the business environment and delivering products optimised for various customers' needs," said Seung Hwa Suh, vice chairman and CEO of Hankook Tire during the opening ceremony.