Hankook has officially begun construction on an expansion project at its European production plant in Rácalmás, Hungary. This significant investment of €540 million will establish a new production line dedicated to truck and bus tyres, increasing the facility’s output by up to 800,000 units per year. The construction phase is expected to conclude by 2027.
The new facility will manufacture Hankook’s premium tyre range, including the SmartLine AL/DL 50 and SmartFlex AL/DL 51, designed for long-haul and mixed applications. Additionally, Hankook will introduce its e-SMART series, a product line tailored specifically for electric commercial vehicles. The expansion will enable Hankook to meet the growing demand for regional transport, long-distance, construction, and winter-use tyres in Europe.
Hankook has underlined the strategic importance of its Hungarian plant, which has been in operation since 2007 and currently produces 17 million tyres annually for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles. The addition of the truck and bus tyre production line will reduce transport distances for European customers, reinforcing Hankook’s commitment to sustainability and efficiency.
“We are very happy with the progress so far. After getting necessary approvals, we were able to commence the building works as planned, and preparatory soil construction is underway,” said Jongho Park, President and COO of Hankook Tire Europe
“Once the new production line is complete, we will be manufacturing truck and bus tyres for the European market in Europe, which will shorten our transport routes. With the investment, we are strengthening the European business location and creating more jobs,” he added.
The Hungarian facility will integrate advanced, eco-friendly technologies into its production process. This includes the use of sustainable, renewable, and recycled materials, as well as 3D additive manufacturing for tread moulds. The plant has already achieved ISCC PLUS certification (International Sustainability & Carbon Certification), further demonstrating Hankook’s commitment to environmentally responsible production.
Beyond its European expansion, Hankook currently operates eight production sites worldwide, with a total annual production capacity of 100 million tyres.
As part of this investment, Hankook will create 450 new jobs, strengthening the local economy and supporting its continued growth in the European commercial tyre sector.
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