The new headquarters of the Group, which has a history of 165 years of steady growth, serves the business units HF TireTech Group and HF ToolTech Group.

The designing of the new office is tuned to the needs of the Group’s forward march. Direct access from the office facilities to the assembly hall and machine testing area brings all fields of work close together and ensures optimised communication. The established and well proven production unit in Belišće, Croatia remains. Continuous investments in logistics, painting, warehousing and machining under highest economic aspects guarantee state of the art manufacturing.

Back on track

The COVID 19 pandemic and the global lockdown that came with it saw HF being tested hard for its resilience and the capability to help its partners put their production process back on track through its engineering and other services.

“For HF, partnership means to support its valued customers with benefits that will help to keep their production back on track,” says HF TireTech Group Managing Director Dr. Joern Seevers.

HF´s benefits & services for the tyre production are many:

• Technical support for restarting the HF Curing Presses

• Inspection and readjustment of mechanical settings

• Inspection of safety-related components

• Performance check and functional analysis of hydraulic/pneumatic systems

• Software check-up and functionality test

• Close coordination and supply of spare parts

• Individual training for technicians and service people for a smooth and efficient production ramp-up; trainings can take place on customers site or in Hamburg at the Group’s testing press. Virtual support is also available

Dr. Seevers said: “Together with our customers we analyse production processes, optimise, adjust to changed situations, look behind the production and develop new strategies to achieve more flexibility, increase quality, reduce costs and raw material - get into action with a higher level in automation and smart retrofitting and be ready for sustainable tyre production.”

Tandem Mixer technology:

HF takes it to the next level

HF Mixing Group is supplying Tandem Mixers for more than 15 years and has kicked off a revolution in mixing since then. The concept appears to be simple, but all those years of experience have shown that the highest degree of machine engineering has to be combined with extensive process know how to make a Tandem Mixer successful. And a mixing line is only successful if the calculated output and productivity is achieved – combined with a reliability which enables stable production for years.

As matter of fact to develop the process to mix on a Tandem Mixer takes some time and efforts – not to forget the technological know-how of the mixing process itself. HF offers the possibility to accompany this development by offering extensive trials and engineering studies – to shorten the time from ordering a machine up to the point of running in full production.

The goal of a Tandem Mixer is to reduce the specific cost of mixing a compound – on many occasions, HF has proven that overall cost reductions of 15% can be achieved compared to standard lines with a single mixer. This, in between other, is achieved by reducing the mixing steps for a PCR compound from 2,5 to 1,5 steps.

But productivity is not the only driving factor to invest in a Tandem Line – the quality of the compound overall and specifically constant and repeatable mixing of modern compounds is to be ensured. To optimise dispersion, distribution, temperature control and process stability makes a significant difference in today’s production of more complex compound recipes. The intermeshing mixers produced by HF and used in a Tandem Line guarantee to meet these requirements more than any other mixers on the market.

Experiences have shown that no compromise on quality can be made – and HF is supporting this approach with delivering a control system for Tandem Lines which enables their customers to not only run the machine efficiently but also uses online condition monitoring to always reflect on a reliable compound quality which is repeatable.

HF emphasises on result driven production concepts for its customers – further innovations in terms of integrating industry 4.0 solutions to the mixing process are on its way and the focus is clear: Intelligent machines will integrate new digital solutions into the mixing process and will ensure to meet the expectations of the future.

Brownfield projects

The COVID pandemic put a stronger focus on replacing existing machines instead of adding new capacities to a production plant. Also, productivity as well as sustainability aspects are driving many tyre companies to have a closer look to the installed base.

But inspecting a mixing line which has run for more than 15 years (or sometimes even 25 years) brings to light what challenges may come up if this line will be replaced by a new one. Output values need to be increased, a new mixer technology should improve the quality of compounds, modern automation solutions should support the daily production procedures and increase process stability – many more requirements should be met. One of the largest challenges is limited space when looking at an upgrade of machinery.

Not only the pure space but also intralogistics within a mixing line can create headache – from upstream equipment feeding a mixer all the way to downstream machinery processing the batch further – many modern solutions can be used today but looking at the available space installing them is the challenge.

With a clear focus on such brownfield projects, HF has managed several conversions from old to new with unmatched success. A key in such projects is the planning and pre-engineering process. Starting with an inspection of not only the mixer but all surrounding factors in the building – considering also the material flow – and then continuing with a 3D- scan of the existing equipment including pipe and cabling routing the basis for planning can be laid. Supported by this 3D-scan HF engineers plan and design with 3D models the complete mixing mill room.

By keeping the existing machinery as the base layer and inserting new equipment in an over-lay collisions of steel constructions, limitations in space and optimised pipe and cable routing can be identified. Furthermore, an improved process flow chart is the basis of planning material flow, work processes and even manpower to operate the new mixing line. Finally, new controls and automation solutions – on the basis of industry 4.0 – will improve operating and monitoring the equipment.

One of the largest benefits using HF’s Pre-Engineering is shortening the planning and execution time – and last but not least the reduction of financial funds is possible by starting up the new line much quicker compared to the conversion of lines in earlier years.

Safety first

Supporting all major tyre manufacturers with mixing technology HF constantly strives for improving operational procedures in the mixing mill room. When it came apparent that the variety of compounds increased more and more – driven by many more types and technologies in tyres today – the changeover times from one recipe to the other was put in the focus of operational optimisation. Not only flexible automation solutions are required but also quick availability of the mechanical equipment after the last batch of the current recipe was dispatched. In between other HF identified the cleaning of the mixing chamber as a critical action during changeover in two aspects: First it needs to be safe for the maintenance personal to enter the mixing chamber and secondly time can be saved if the access to the chamber can be optimized.

In order to meet both requirements HF’s engineers designed a maintenance box, the so-called mBox©, which is mechanically integrated directly underneath the mixer – combining the mixer with the chute of a dump extruder for example.

In the moment the mixing line is switched to cleaning mode and all movements of parts are blocked a moveable platform – the floor of the maintenance box – is inserted horizontally underneath the mixer. A door of the box can be opened, and maintenance personnel can enter the box safe and secure, standing underneath the mixer with easy access to the mixing chamber.

Besides the safe working environment customers from HF have noticed saving time and having the opportunity of even inspecting the mixing chamber easier and more frequent during a changeover.

Especially in new installations of a mixing line the mBox© can be integrated in the design of the line easily and right from the start – benefitting the safety and operation of the line daily.

HF Screw Presses

The production of screw presses is one of HF`s core competences for decades. The screw press has gained recognition during its affiliation with KRUPP. Thus, the presses operate all over the world and more than 2.500 presses are installed in various industries for example the edible oil industry, biomass technology and rendering. And, most interesting for the tyre industry, the presses accomplish benchmarking results in the dewatering of natural and synthetic caoutchouc. As a more efficient and space saving solution instead of band dryer systems or similar the screw press has its strong eligibility in dewatering process.

HF Curemaster

HF brought the first hydraulic column type curing press to the tyre industry in 1997. Since then, it continued to develop this product to meet the demanding requirements of its customers.

The HF Curemaster was launched two years ago and since then the patented truck tyre curing press has been successfully installed in multiple locations and in efficient operation. The press provides a flexible and compact footprint, making it possible to replace older presses with potentially more presses per existing trench.

The HF Curemaster also focuses on optimising energy efficiency to ensure the lowest total cost of ownership in the curing plant. The HF Curemaster´s hood design incorporates insulation inside the hood to provides the best insulation effect. In addition, the HF Curemaster provides an extremely fast cycle time to minimise the overall amount of heat loss during the open and close sequence of the press.

HF PCR Design

Delivering for a new greenfield plant is relatively straightforward. However, HF understands the important need of the replacement market as well. It is important to be flexible to meet all the varying trench layouts (pit, shelf, pitless, and so on). Equally important is the need to be able to replace existing 42” – 45” old mechanical presses with 48” – 52” modern presses in order to meet the growing demand for larger tyre sizes.

All replacement projects are analysed carefully together with customers. Attention is paid closely to all details related to operation, maintenance access, mould & bladder change requirements as well as all local safety regulations. HF´s long experience with curing presses provides a large variety of modular options to be used for finding the optimised fit for each specific request.

HF Stack Passenger Car Inflator (PCI)

The requirement for post cured tyres continues to grow in the market and HF has designed a simple and compact solution that can be incorporated in all HF presses as well as behind most all existing older presses.

The patented HF Stack PCI design allows for the PCI to be integrated into even the tightest footprints. This solution eliminates any movement or rotations of the PCI body itself and greatly reduces the amount of moving mechanical components and maintenance.

HF Digitalisation

HF recognises the important trend of digitalisation for the tyre manufacturers and has developed reliable, customised software solutions for machine data communication between machine control and customer IT systems. The main steps were to focus on MES, SCADA and Recipe Management interfaces.

HF Smart Curing enables customers to get started quickly and effectively with a future-oriented digitisation solution. The main advantage in this case is that software for machine data acquisition is supplied directly by the supplier and not by IT service providers.

OPC server technology and efficient network solutions are tailored to the machine enable secure data acquisition. This software can provide feedback in regard to condition monitoring, diagnostic function, machine services, energy monitoring and remote service.

The benefit of connecting your equipment with digitalised solutions clearly accelerates a target-oriented development and improves the Total Cost of Ownership of the equipment.

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Apollo Tyres Ltd has launched its first Apollo Rural Mobile Store, a new initiative aimed at improving last-mile connectivity and tyre access in rural India. The fully equipped mobile van was flagged off by company Vice President Rajesh Dahiya at a special event.

The customised vehicle travels to villages, allowing customers to explore and purchase tyres without long journeys. Stocked with a curated product range and staffed by trained representatives, the mobile store offers on‑the‑spot guidance on tyre selection, usage and maintenance. The first unit began operating in Pandavapura village, Mandya, Karnataka, with plans to deploy 25 such stores nationwide over the next 18 to 24 months.

The launch event also included a free health check‑up camp organised with the Apollo Tyres Foundation, underscoring the company’s community commitment. By combining convenience with expert support, the mobile store aims to empower rural customers to make informed decisions for safe and efficient vehicle operation.

Rajesh Dahiya, Vice President – Commercial, Apollo Tyres Ltd, said, “This initiative reflects our commitment to bridging access gaps in rural markets. By bringing our products and expertise directly to the customers’ doorstep, we aim to simplify the buying journey and ensure that even the most remote communities have access to the right mobility solutions.”

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Michelin has introduced a universal tyre digital twin, a software-driven innovation that converts real-time in-vehicle data into actionable recommendations for the vehicle or its driver. The system draws on 130 years of tyre physics expertise, combined with advanced mathematical modelling, artificial intelligence and data science algorithms. Its primary goal is to enhance road safety by enabling vehicles to anticipate their own behaviour and improve performance without relying on physical tyre sensors.

This digital twin functions as a dynamic virtual replica of any tyre, regardless of brand. It continuously analyses and predicts tyre conditions including pressure, wear, load, grip and driving environment by comparing them with live vehicle data. Rather than simply feeding information to the driver, the system directly interacts with embedded vehicle systems to optimise performance. It helps prevent aquaplaning, predict maximum grip, boost the effectiveness of ADAS functions such as ABS, monitor tyre pressure and detect overloading, allowing the vehicle to adapt braking distances by several metres and improve stability.'

Drivers remain unaware of the system working behind the scenes, yet it delivers tangible benefits on every journey without requiring changes to driving habits. By supplying a continuous stream of reliable data, the digital twin also facilitates predictive maintenance, thereby extending tyre lifespan. Keeping tyres in optimal condition for longer reduces material use and mitigates the environmental impact associated with tyre lifecycles.

The Michelin solution is entirely software-enabled and uses existing in-vehicle data, requiring no additional tyre-mounted sensors. It is compatible with all tyre brands and models and can be fitted to passenger cars, trucks and self-driving shuttles. The digital twin acts as an embedded brain adapted to Software Defined Vehicle architectures, representing over 10 years of research and development secured by multiple patents and validated by millions of kilometres of testing.

With the SDV market valued at USD 213.5 billion in 2024 and projected to reach nearly USD 1,240 billion by 2030, Michelin is positioning itself as a pioneer and key partner for manufacturers transitioning to software-enabled vehicles. Major collaborations with Brembo, Hyundai, QNX, ETAS and Sonatus span fundamental research to industrial-scale integration. A recent partnership with Brembo demonstrated tangible benefits: integrating real-time tyre data into braking algorithms improved ABS performance, shortening braking distances by up to four metres and enhancing stability during hard braking.

Through its embedded digital twin, Michelin turns tyres into an invaluable data source to shape tomorrow’s mobility from within the vehicle’s data ecosystem. This breakthrough reinforces the Group’s longstanding commitment to road safety and is set to make Michelin a market leader in tyre digital twins, supporting the continuous enhancement of vehicle performance, features and user experience throughout the vehicle’s lifetime.

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Kumho Tire USA has introduced the all-new Road Venture HT, an advanced all-season highway-terrain tyre designed for light trucks and SUVs. Engineered with innovative technology, this latest offering caters to drivers seeking dependable everyday performance. The tyre provides enhanced wet and snow traction, extended tread life, a smooth and quiet ride and is also compatible with electric vehicles.

Developed as a next-generation all-season product, the Road Venture HT features an optimised structural design and a new polymer compound with High Dispersible Micro Silica to boost wear resistance. This results in a 10 percent improvement in tread life over its predecessor. Additional technologies including 3D chamfers, integrated tie-bar noise reduction and reinforced polyester body plies help ensure a quiet ride, improved sidewall stiffness and better cornering stability.

For wet-road confidence, the tyre incorporates a high-grip resin and four wide circumferential grooves to evacuate water efficiently. Wider lateral shoulder grooves, multi-angle sipes and independent tread blocks with enhanced biting edges deliver superior traction and stability. A zigzag tread design and waved 3D interlocking sipes provide strong snow traction, earning the tyre Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake certification. This sets a new benchmark as most all-season tyres lack true winter rating, making the Road Venture HT a uniquely versatile all-weather solution.

Kumho Tire USA conducted independent third-party testing against leading competitors, with results showing the Road Venture HT outperformed rivals in ride comfort, wet handling and dry and wet braking. Available starting in June in over 40 sizes from 15 to 22 inches, the tyre comes with a 75,000-mile (approximately 120,700 km) limited treadwear warranty for P-metric sizes and 50,000 miles (approximately 80,467 km) for LT-metric sizes. A road hazard warranty and a 30-day satisfaction guarantee are also included.

Shawn Denlein, President – Sales and Marketing, Kumho Tire U.S.A., said, "With significant enhancements in structure, design and materials, the Road Venture HT delivers exceptional performance, durability and comfort so light truck and SUV vehicle owners can drive with confidence year-round. The HT is another example of KUMHO's commitment to performance without compromise, delivering premium-level products at a price point that offers outstanding value."

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The AZUR network has declared 10 May 2026 a pivotal date for Germany’s ecological balance, marking the country’s Overshoot Day, which is calculated by the Global Footprint Network. From this point forward, the nation’s resource consumption for the remainder of the year will be living beyond environmental means. If the global population mirrored German habits, three planets would be required to meet resource demands. For AZUR, this calculation serves as an urgent directive for the tyre industry to adopt a circular economy without delay.

The tyre sector stands at the centre of this challenge, with roughly 600,000 tonnes of used tyres generated annually in Germany. According to AZUR, this waste stream represents either a severe environmental liability or a valuable secondary raw material source, depending on handling. The early Overshoot Day underscores that the linear production model has reached its limit, compelling a consistent ecological transformation.

Within its network, AZUR promotes three strategic approaches to tyre recycling. Retreading old tyres conserves up to 70 percent of the energy and virgin materials like natural rubber and steel compared to new production. Mechanical recycling recovers rubber meal and granules, keeping resources circulating rather than sending them to incinerators. Chemical recycling via pyrolysis breaks down tyres under heat without oxygen to produce pyrolysis oil, recovered carbon black and gas.

The 10^th of May thus stands as a reminder that resource inefficiency is no longer acceptable. By uniting industry specialists, AZUR aims to shrink mobility’s ecological footprint and progressively push Germany’s Overshoot Day later into the winter months in the years ahead.

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