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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On 18 June, the prestigious 22nd ‘World Brand Conference and Release Ceremony of China's 500 Most Valuable Brands’ was held in Beijing, organised by the World Brand Lab. Demonstrating its industry leadership, Doublestar achieved an impressive brand valuation of CNY 116.208 billion (approximately USD 16.21 billion), securing the 93rd position overall and maintaining its position as the highest-ranked Chinese tyre brand for yet another year.

This recognition underscores Doublestar's strong market presence and consumer trust, built on decades of innovation and quality craftsmanship. Moving forward, the company has committed to strengthening its brand influence through continuous technological advancement and sustainable development. By focusing on research and production of safer, smarter and more environmentally friendly tyre solutions, Doublestar aims to not only meet evolving market demands but also drive the high-quality growth of China's tyre industry.

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Continental Tires has achieved a major sustainability milestone with all its European tyre production facilities now certified under the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS standard. The certification extends to plants in Lousado (Portugal), Puchov (Slovakia), Korbach (Germany), Sarreguemines (France), Otrokovice (Czech Republic) and Timișoara (Romania), along with the supporting Industria Textil do Ave textile plant in Portugal. The company's Hefei facility in China has also earned this recognition, expanding Continental's sustainable manufacturing network globally.

The ISCC PLUS certification verifies Continental's compliance with rigorous traceability and documentation requirements for renewable and recycled materials used in tyre production. This system enables the company to track sustainable inputs throughout the manufacturing process using the mass balance approach, which allows gradual incorporation of eco-friendly materials while maintaining existing production systems. Continental is currently increasing its use of certified materials, including bio-based synthetic rubbers and circular-process carbon black, as part of its strategy to include over 40 percent sustainable materials in tyres by 2030.

As a globally recognised standard established in 2010, ISCC certification promotes climate-friendly, deforestation-free supply chains across multiple industries. It covers sustainable biomass, recycled materials and renewable resources, providing a framework for transparent, responsible sourcing. For Continental, this achievement represents both a validation of current sustainability efforts and a foundation for future innovations in eco-conscious tyre manufacturing. The company's growing network of certified facilities demonstrates its commitment to reducing environmental impact while maintaining product quality and performance standards across its global operations.

Jorge Almeida, head of Sustainability for Continental Tires, said, “The ISCC PLUS certification of all our European tyre plants is an important milestone and a strong signal for a more sustainable industry in Europe. But we're not stopping there. Our plants in other regions will follow step by step, like our Hefei plant, which is already certified. We have a strong ambition to make our tyre production more sustainable worldwide across our entire supply chain.”

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Bandvulc has expanded its Wastemaster 5 tyre range with a new 315/70 size, enhancing options for urban waste collection and recycling vehicles. Originally launched in 2021, this robust tyre boasts a high load rating and is manufactured at ContiLifeCycle’s Ivybridge facility in Devon, which produces Bandvulc and ContiRe retread tyres.

The Wastemaster 5 incorporates ARMORBAND technology, featuring a reinforced rubber layer along the sidewall to resist scrubbing damage and prolong tyre life. Its advanced tread design includes wide zig-zag grooves for mud and water clearance, stone ejection features, stepped blocks and deep sipes for superior traction in tough conditions. This upgrade reinforces Bandvulc’s commitment to durability and performance in demanding waste management operations.

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Eurogrip Tyres, India’s top 2 & 3-wheeler tyre brand under TVS Srichakra Ltd, today launched two exclusive retail stores in Chennai – at Selaiyur and Villivakkam. These outlets will stock a full range of two-wheeler tyres, tubes and biking accessories like helmets, alongside offering tyre care, puncture repair, fitment services and engine oil changes.

Catering to scooters, commuter bikes, performance bikes and superbikes, the stores provide diverse tyre patterns and sizes. They will also handle warranty claims for customers. The Selaiyur store is located at J C Group, Plot no 3, Agaram Main Road, Chennai - 600 073, while the Villivakkam outlet is at ST Enterprises, Old no 39E/New no 103, MTH Road, Chennai - 600 049. These expansions reinforce Eurogrip’s commitment to premium service and accessibility.

T K Ravi, COO, Eurogrip Tyres, said, “We are happy to reach out to more customers through our new branded retail stores. In a city that has a bustling two-wheeler vehicle population, there is a need to have more outlets to expand our network. Chennai is an important market for us, and we had opened our first branded retail store in Velachery last May. The response from customers and riders has been encouraging and we are happy to be launching 2 more stores in the city – this will help bolster our brand strength here. We plan to have more such signature stores in different cities to make our products and services easily accessible to customers.”

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