Hankook Tire is set to showcase its advanced commercial tyre portfolio at the inaugural Road Transport Expo (RTX) Ireland, scheduled for 15 and 16 April 2026 at the Eikon Exhibition Centre in Lisburn. Hankook will display the pioneering e-SMART City AU56 EV bus tyre, the new Smart Work AM11+ for regional distribution, the versatile SmartFlex range for long-haul applications and value-focused Laufenn commercial tyres. Organised by the team behind the successful RTX Stoneleigh and RTX Scotland events, RTX Ireland 2026 brings a dedicated truck focus to Northern Ireland. With over 50 exhibitors and an expected attendance of more than 7,000 visitors, the event serves as a crucial hub for the Irish road transport sector to network and discover industry-shaping innovations. Attendees can find Hankook alongside its exclusive distributor, TyreCall and Tractamotors, at Stand C15.

Among the featured innovations is Hankook’s pioneering e-SMART City AU56, the brand’s first electric bus tyre introduced in 2024. Engineered for the unique demands of electric urban transport, this tyre offers low rolling resistance for extended range, reduced noise for enhanced passenger comfort and robust durability to manage the high torque and heavier loads of electric vehicles. Also on show will be the recently launched Smart Work AM11+, a tyre specifically developed for the rigours of regional and local distribution. Its design provides strong resilience against the wear and tear of stop-start operations, making it ideal for demanding sectors like waste management, with reinforced sidewalls for extra protection.

For fleets covering regional and long-haul routes, Hankook will present its SmartFlex range. The SmartFlex AL51 for steer axles and DL51 for drive axles are engineered for consistent performance throughout their lifespan. Reflecting Hankook’s commitment to sustainability and cost-efficiency, these tyres are both regroovable and retreadable. Complementing the Hankook portfolio, visitors can also explore the Laufenn brand, including the Laufenn365 initiative. The Laufenn commercial range, featuring the LF95+ trailer tyre, LF22 all-position tyre and LZ22 drive tyre, leverages Hankook’s advanced technology to deliver strong value, full retreadability and a reduced environmental footprint, catering to budget-conscious operators. This participation underscores Hankook’s growing leadership in the UK truck tyre replacement market, driven by continuous innovation and tailored solutions for an evolving industry.

Jon Cottrell, Truck and Bus Sales Manager, Hankook Tyre UK, said, “We are looking forward to the first Road Transport Expo in Northern Ireland – it’s a fantastic opportunity to build meaningful connections and stay informed on the latest developments shaping the industry. 2026 marks the inaugural RTX Ireland and our first time exhibiting in Northern Ireland, which makes it particularly exciting. We’re proud to be attending alongside our exclusive distributors, TyreCall and sister company, Tractamotors, who we have had a strong partnership with for the last 40 years. We look forward to welcoming both existing and prospective customers to our stand while gaining valuable insight into the Irish truck tyre market.”

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Bulloch County, Georgia, is testing an innovative road foundation method that extends pavement life, lowers upkeep costs and reuses large volumes of scrap tyres. This pilot project is upgrading one of the county’s busiest dirt roads, Five Chop Road near Statesboro, with support from a state environmental grant.

The county partnered with Liberty Tire Recycling and Century Road Solutions to install mechanical concrete on a 0.58-mile (approximately 0.93 km) stretch. Funding comes from a USD 250,000 Tire Products Grant from the Georgia Environmental Protection Division. Mechanical concrete locks stone gravel into place using recycled tyre components. Scrap tyres are processed into honeycomb-like structures, laid along the roadbed and filled with aggregate, preventing shifting, erosion and potholes.

The surface remains flat with minimal upkeep. The technology has over 15 years of proven use on industrial and mining roads without follow up repairs. An estimated 200,000 recycled tyres have been reused in Georgia through this process. Reduced grading and resurfacing needs lower long-term costs. Bulloch County estimates paving one mile (approximately 1.61 km) of asphalt costs USD 1 million, whereas mechanical concrete can improve nearly two miles (approximately 3.22 km) for the same price.

County leaders will monitor durability before expanding use. A partnership with Georgia Southern University’s asphalt programme is being explored to independently study long-term performance. With 638 miles (approximately 1026.76 km) of dirt roads countywide, even modest maintenance savings would be substantial. If the technology proves effective, it will continue.

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Hankook Tyre Australia successfully participated as the official tyre supplier for the 2026 Bathurst 6 Hour, held from 3 to 5 April at the iconic Mount Panorama Circuit. This role reinforced the company’s dedication to advanced tyre technology and high-performance motorsport. The primary endurance race took place on 5 April, lasting six demanding hours.

To support the event, Hankook Tyre Australia deployed its sophisticated motorsport tyre technology, specifically the Ventus TD semi-slick competition tyre. Engineered for rigorous track driving, this tyre provides exceptional dry grip, steady handling and improved longevity over long race stints. Its design focuses on durability, heat management and even load distribution for consistent wear.

The 2026 edition marked the 10th running of the Bathurst 6 Hour, featuring 69 cars across various classes. The challenging 6.2-kilometre Mount Panorama Circuit, with its high-speed sections, technical turns and steep elevation changes, solidified this event as Australia’s top production car endurance race.

The race itself was highly competitive and fluid, featuring numerous lead changes and tactical battles throughout the six hours. Victory went to Supercars driver Thomas Randle alongside Ben and Michael Kavich after a tight contest resolved only in the closing laps. In this demanding environment, the Ventus TD proved critical, offering stable grip and predictable handling over long stints to optimise race strategy, while its compound and tread design minimised wear and supported balanced load distribution under varying track conditions.

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Trelleborg Tires will exhibit at Intermodal South America 2026 from 14 to 16 April at Distrito Anhembi in São Paulo, Brazil, showcasing the XP1000 tyre for high-intensity material handling. The company will be at booth M023 and within the Smart Intralogistics area, reinforcing tyres’ role in automation and process optimisation. This presence highlights Trelleborg as a strategic partner where tyre solutions ensure stability and efficiency in data-driven operations.

Used on forklifts in warehouses, ports and industrial sites, the XP1000 delivers stability, durability and consistent performance to reduce interruptions. Its Pit Stop Line visual wear indicator signals replacement up to 100 hours in advance, enabling accurate maintenance and reducing unplanned downtime. Produced at the Feira de Santana plant in Brazil for domestic and South American markets, production rose 57.5 percent between 2024 and 2025, reflecting strong demand.

The tread design combines lightweight construction with recycled fibre compound, while the Pit Stop Line minimises waste, ensuring performance, material savings and lower environmental impact. Logistics operations are transforming through automation, electric fleets and data-driven management, key themes at Intermodal. In this context, tires directly impact operational stability and safety.

The Smart Intralogistics area focuses on automation and efficiency within warehouses and industrial facilities. Within this environment, the XP1000 helps reduce bottlenecks and maximise productivity. Trelleborg Tires is the only tyre manufacturer in this area, reinforcing tyre solutions as integral to modern intralogistics systems.

Marcelo Natalini, President, Yokohama TWS South America, said, "The modernisation of logistics operations requires components capable of keeping pace with the sector’s increasing demands for productivity and efficiency. Tyres play a key role in this context, directly contributing to operational reliability and continuity."

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Pirelli has introduced a new development rear tyre for the Dutch Round of the FIM Superbike World Championship at the iconic TT Circuit Assen. Designated F0298, this soft compound option is engineered to improve stability and deliver greater performance consistency over race distance. It joins the existing DIABLO Superbike rear range alongside the supersoft SCX, the soft SC0 and the medium SC1. The SCX is reserved for practice sessions, qualifying and the Superpole Race, while the SC0 and SC1 serve as the soft and medium race alternatives.

For the front axle at Assen, riders can choose between the soft SC1 and the medium SC2. Given the high likelihood of rain in the Netherlands during this season, Pirelli also provides wet weather solutions including the DIABLO Wet intermediate tyres and the DIABLO Rain full wets. In the WorldSSP class for its third round, the standard front tyre options are the SC1 and SC2, while the rear uses SCX and SC0 compounds.

Also returning to the track during the Dutch weekend are the World Sportbike Championship riders and the women of the WorldWCR series. Both championships use SC1 tyres on both axles, with a 120/70 front and 180/60 rear specification. This completes the tyre allocation across all classes competing at Assen.

Giorgio Barbier, Pirelli Motorcycle Racing Director, said, " With the 2026 WorldSBK Pirelli Dutch Round, the Championship arrives at the TT Circuit Assen, one of the most iconic tracks in world motorcycling. Both fast and technical, Assen features a mix of low-, medium- and high-speed corners, as well as often variable weather conditions, which over the years have played a decisive role in race outcomes.

“For the third round, confirming a continuous development effort aimed at improving both single-lap performance and further increasing consistency over race distance, Pirelli is providing teams and riders with a new development soft rear solution, the F0298. This tyre could represent a valid alternative to the standard SC0, with the goal of improving stability while ensuring a high level of consistency in race conditions.

“Taking into account the characteristics of the circuit and potentially low temperatures, our choice for qualifying and the Superpole Race has fallen on the supersoft SCX, which until last season was known as the development tyre E0126 and has become part of the standard range this year. For the same reason, as an alternative to the standard and development soft options, riders will also be able to rely on the medium SC1 rear in case of cold conditions.”

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