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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Michelin has inaugurated PolMixLab, a new associated research laboratory (LabCom), on 22 April 2026, in collaboration with the National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), INSA Lyon, Lyon 1 University and Jean Monnet University. The primary objective of the joint initiative is to invent the rubber of the future by accelerating innovation in polymer materials for multiple industrial uses. The partnership leverages the combined scientific and industrial expertise of all parties to balance performance, durability, and energy efficiency.

Against a backdrop of ecological transition and rising industrial demands, polymer materials like elastomers are a critical research frontier. Their applications span automotive, aeronautics, healthcare and construction, requiring continuous improvements in durability, recyclability, energy sobriety and advanced functionality. To address these challenges, research teams from the Polymer Materials Engineering Laboratory – representing the CNRS, INSA Lyon, Lyon 1 University and Jean Monnet University – have joined forces with Michelin to develop next-generation polymer materials.

Academic and industrial researchers will pursue three main goals over the course of four years. The first involves reducing manufacturing energy for elastomers through digital simulation and improved blend quality. The second focuses on creating new elastomers that exceed current performance limits via innovative structures. The third aims to boost environmental performance by integrating short-loop recycling directly into the polymer formulation phase. The resulting rubbers are intended for strategic applications in mobility, medical devices, aeronautics and high-performance industrial equipment.

PolMixLab represents a structural initiative rooted in Michelin’s 130 years of materials science expertise, spanning chemistry, material transformation, composite design and use-case knowledge from basic research to industrialization. The laboratory marks the 10th active associated research laboratory between the CNRS and Michelin, underscoring a long-term commitment to reducing carbon footprints, extending material lifespans and optimising performance for contemporary industrial and environmental needs.

Mehdi Gmar, Chief Innovation Officer, CNRS, said, “The CNRS is pleased with the creation of PolMixLab, a new associated research laboratory with Michelin, a leading partner with which it has a longstanding relation of trust since the 1990s, one that is structured by a framework-agreement renewed multiple times and nearly forty collaborations each year. This associated research laboratory, which also includes INSA Lyon, Lyon 1 University and Jean Monnet University, marks a new stage in this cooperation by developing polymer materials that offer higher performance, and are more recyclable and sober in energy.”

Christophe Moriceau, VP – Advanced Research, Michelin Group, said, “With PolMixLab, Michelin is strengthening its ability to anticipate and accompany major industrial and environmental issues connected to materials. By combining our unparalleled expertise in materials science and polymer composites with the academic excellence of our partners, we strive to invent rubbers that offer higher performance and are more durable and sober in energy. This research indeed includes the development of materials from biosourced resources, as well as control over material life cycle assessment, with a view to creating innovative solutions offering reduced environmental impact in the service of mobility, along with numerous industrial applications beyond tyres.”

Bruno Lina, President, Lyon 1 University, said, “PolMixLab illustrates the capacity of Lyon 1 University to develop structural research partnerships where scientific excellence meets industrial and environmental issues. By mobilising our expertise in materials science alongside our academic partners and Michelin, we help develop innovative solutions for materials that offer higher performance and are more suitable for the uses of the future.”

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Hankook Tire, the exclusive tyre supplier to the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), is supporting Round 5 of the 2026 WRC season, Rally Islas Canarias, taking place from 23 to 26 April across Spain’s Canary Islands. For the event, Hankook is providing its Ventus Z215 and Ventus Z210 tarmac rally tyres, with the former engineered for precise handling on abrasive asphalt and the latter designed for wet-road traction and water evacuation.

Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026, Rally Islas Canarias returned as an official WRC round for the second consecutive year after joining the calendar for the first time the previous season. Based on Gran Canaria Island, home to the capital Las Palmas, the rally featured 18 special stages covering a competitive distance of 322.61 kilometres, all on asphalt. The opening day’s highlight was the Super Special Stage at the BP Ultimate - Circuito Islas Canarias, where drivers competed in a head-to-head time-attack format.

Regarded as one of the championship’s most iconic tarmac events, the rally is defined by the abrasive, high-grip asphalt and dramatic elevation changes of Gran Canaria’s volcanic terrain. While the consistent surface grip allows circuit-like, high-speed precision driving, it also subjects tyres to intense physical stress. Maintaining grip under high surface temperatures and adapting to unpredictable mountain weather is expected to make tyre performance a decisive factor in the rally’s outcome.

Since the 2025 season, Hankook has served as the exclusive tyre supplier for all WRC classes, reinforcing its role as a key technical partner in global motorsport. By leveraging data from top-tier series such as the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship and the WRC, alongside advanced R&D infrastructure, Hankook continues to drive innovation in high-performance tyre technology while strengthening its global premium brand position.

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Continental is providing comprehensive tyre support to Royal Den Hartogh Logistics, a Dutch family-owned leader in container-based bulk transport for the chemical and food industries. With a history of collaboration exceeding 60 years, the tyre manufacturer now supplies professional tyre management and rolling resistance optimised tyres from the Conti Eco Gen 5 family to the logistics firm’s European fleet of over 900 vehicles.

Peter Rodenburg, Senior Technical Manager at Den Hartogh, has identified safety, costs and the energy transition as the biggest challenges in the company’s Europe wide operations. His assessment highlights the need for more fuel-efficient driving and emission reductions. Meanwhile, Hinnerk Kaiser, Head of Product Development for Bus and Truck Tires at Continental, notes that the fifth generation of the Conti Eco tyre family is specifically designed to address transport sector customer needs and Europe’s dynamic regulatory environment.

The vehicle fleet operates across Europe with the latest generation tyres, supported by Continental’s Pull Point tyre monitoring, breakdown analysis and cost evaluation. Rodenburg has confirmed that the Eco tyre’s optimisation for rolling resistance delivers significant benefits in fuel efficiency and overall performance. The Conti Eco HD 5 has demonstrated its value in both fuel economy and mileage while also performing reliably under varying road and weather conditions.

Rodenburg has reported that after one year of joint fleet monitoring, the first impression of tyre performance and wear is positive. The switch to this tyre, combined with other vehicle optimisations, has yielded measurable cost savings. He states that with the complete package in place, the company has seen significant improvements in average fuel consumption of up to eight percent, making the move to the Conti Eco HD 5 a positive decision.

Looking ahead, Rodenburg acknowledges that the energy transition is taking shape, though the speed of fleet electrification remains uncertain. He emphasises that energy is becoming more expensive and must be used as efficiently as possible, with rolling resistance and air resistance representing losses to be minimised. An optimal tyre, he concludes, brings measurable benefits at every stage of the fleet’s transformation, an area where the rolling resistance optimised Conti Eco Gen 5 excels in contributing to fleet optimisation.

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The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has been named the ‘Top Manufacturer of the Year for Summer Tires 2026’ by Auto Bild, one of Europe’s leading automotive publications. The accolade recognises the brand’s outstanding performance across the season’s independent tyre tests, marking the fourth time in five years that Goodyear has secured this top honour. Auto Bild’s award is based on aggregated results from its recent summer tyre comparisons, with Goodyear previously earning the same distinction in 2022, 2023 and 2025.

Goodyear shared the leading position with Hankook Tire after outperforming several industry rivals. Auto Bild editors twice awarded the Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 an ‘Exemplary’ rating, also naming it Eco Champion and Green Tire of the Year. Those distinctions highlight the tyre’s balanced capabilities in performance, efficiency and sustainability, reinforcing Goodyear’s ability to deliver consistent results in rigorous independent evaluations.

Beyond the flagship award, Goodyear’s summer tyre portfolio achieved multiple podium finishes and top recommendations during the 2026 testing season. Highlights include a first-place result in Mootori’s summer tyre test in Finland, as well as podium wins from Auto Zeitung, ADAC and Sport Auto. From safety-critical braking to efficiency-focused rolling resistance, Goodyear tyres continued to set benchmarks across Europe in independent assessments.

Jan-Piet Van Kesteren, Managing Director EMEA & Chief Sales Officer EMEA Consumer, Goodyear, said, “Being named ‘Top Manufacturer of the Year for Summer Tires’ once again by Auto Bild is a strong recognition of the consistent performance we are delivering across our tyre portfolio. Achieving this award four times in the past five years highlights the strength of our product lineup and our commitment to innovation to ensure that our high-quality tyres meet the evolving needs of drivers. At Goodyear, our ambition is to be #1 in tyres and service, and recognitions like this reinforces the progress we are making towards that goal. We remain focused on developing products that combine performance, safety and sustainability while continuing to deliver value to our customers and partners.”

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