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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VMI has opened a new service facility in León, Mexico, as the company expands its local support for customers and its growing installed base.

The facility was officially opened on 8^th October , with a ceremony attended by Fonseca, the State’s Subsecretary; Rodriguez, Deputy Mayor Of León; and Harm Voortman, Chief Executive of VMI Group. Customers and local employees also attended the event, which included a tree-planting ceremony.

The company said the new facility had been designed with a focus on sustainability, including waste management and energy use. The tree planting highlighted VMI’s environmental commitments, following its recent achievement of EcoVadis Platinum status.

The opening follows VMI’s recent launch of a sales and support office in Yokohama, Japan, reflecting the importance of the Japanese market to the group.

Alongside the León opening, VMI held a customer seminar showcasing its latest innovations in tyre-building and tyre-component preparation solutions.

“This state-of-the-art facility in León, the drum workshop and our local presence, will help us support customers in Mexico more efficiently with faster response times and enhanced levels of service,” said Voortman.

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Michelin has prepared a six-part documentary series chronicling its 11-season tenure in MotoGP as its current stint as the championship’s sole tyre supplier nears its conclusion. Titled ‘Racing on Trust – A Decade of Michelin in MotoGP’, the production examines the manufacturer’s return to the premier class in 2016 through the perspectives of those directly involved, rather than focusing solely on results and statistical milestones. The first two episodes premiered on 8 October 2026, via the Michelin Motorsport and Michelin Group YouTube channels, with the remaining four instalments arriving weekly on Thursdays at 2:00 p.m.

The project assembles 25 figures from across the paddock who agreed to recount their experiences without editorial constraint. World champions, current and former riders, team principals, championship executives, journalists and Michelin Motorsport personnel contribute previously untold accounts spanning the 11 seasons. Among them, Valentino Rossi revisits the closing chapter of his career, Marc Márquez addresses his injury and subsequent recovery and Johann Zarco describes the circumstances surrounding his landmark victory at Le Mans. Their recollections, alongside those of peers and officials, trace both the evolution of the sport and the individuals who shaped it.

Contributors include riders Marc Márquez, Valentino Rossi, Francesco Bagnaia, Jorge Martín, Fabio Quartararo, Maverick Viñales, Cal Crutchlow, Jack Miller and Johann Zarco. Team and organisational figures comprise Lucio Cecchinello of LCR, Ducati Corse’s Gigi Dall’Igna, Alberto Puig of Honda HRC, Dorna Sports CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta, Loris Capirossi of race direction and Hervé Poncharal of Tech3. Media representatives include Sylvain Guintoli, Manuel Pecino, Simon Patterson, Guido Meda and Michel Turco, while Michelin Motorsport is represented by Piero Taramasso, Jean-Claude Catalano, Jean-Philippe Cappelle and Nicolas Goubert, with additional input from Maria Herrera.

The opening episode, ‘2016: The Comeback’, documents Michelin’s return and the formidable task of replacing the championship’s previous sole supplier at motorcycling’s highest level. The second, ‘Regain Trust’, examines how setbacks and difficulties ultimately reinforced confidence between the manufacturer, riders and teams, deliberately avoiding a narrative built exclusively around success.

‘Listen to the Bike’, scheduled for 15 October, begins on a wet circuit with limited grip before delving into rider sensation and feedback, illustrating a development cycle driven by continuous exchange among riders, engineers, teams and Michelin technicians. Breaking Point’, releasing on 22 October, covers the 2020 and 2021 campaigns, when the pandemic, Márquez’s injury and the arrival of a new generation reshaped the competitive hierarchy, a transition symbolically concluded by Rossi’s farewell after more than two decades.

‘A New Era’, arriving on 29 October, follows MotoGP into a fresh phase marked by increasingly capable machines and emerging talent, with Michelin advancing its tyres to extend performance boundaries. The concluding episode, ‘Final Sprint’, releasing on 5 November, reflects on 11 seasons of profound technological change and an exceptional human undertaking.

Throughout the six films, technology remains a constant presence, yet trust emerges as the defining thread, binding riders to their tyres, engineers to teams and, above all, people working together under the extreme pressures of competition.

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FALKEN has unveiled the EUROALL SEASON AS220, a new all-season tyre joining its expanded 2026-27 winter and all-weather portfolio. The AS220 is designed for compact cars, mid-size vehicles and SUVs – the most popular segments in Europe – and extends the brand’s EUROALL SEASON family. It reflects FALKEN’s push to advance modern all-weather tyre technology while addressing a wider range of cars, powertrains, driving styles and applications.

The AS220’s Snow Compaction Grooves retain snow within the tread to improve traction on snow-covered roads, while Hydro Grooves evacuate water to support stability and braking in wet conditions. An advanced temperature-stabilised rubber compound is engineered for consistent performance across climates. These features aim to deliver safety, comfort, efficiency and performance for drivers facing mild winters, wet roads or snow.

The tyre is the first to feature FALKEN’s new VARIO CORE technology. Its VARIO CORE essence combines measures that can improve rolling resistance, wear and drive-by noise. Crucially, it reflects today’s more diverse car parc by focusing on efficiency, durability and a safe driving experience for petrol, diesel, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles alike.

Alongside the AS220, FALKEN offers the EUROALL SEASON AS220 PRO for high-performance passenger cars. It targets dynamic handling and dependable performance in varied weather, with precise handling, stability and control at speeds up to 167 mph (270 kmph). Advanced 4D-NANO Design technology and a modern lightweight construction contribute to wet grip, efficiency and extended tyre life, combining premium all-season performance with year-round usability.

FALKEN’s winter lineup also includes the EUROWINTER HS02 and HS02 PRO, developed for confident handling in challenging winter conditions. The HS02 uses a directional V-shaped tread for water evacuation and stable wet handling, while Miura-Ori 3D sipes can enhance traction and braking on cold, icy or snowy roads. The HS02 PRO targets higher performance, with an optimised tread design supporting snow and wet capabilities, precise handling and stability. Its groove design aids traction on snow and slush while maintaining a sporty character. Both benefit from Advanced 4D-NANO Design technology for wet grip, rolling resistance and wear, with significantly reduced weight versus previous generations.

For SUV and 4x4 drivers, the FALKEN WILDPEAK A/T AT3WA all-terrain tyre combines off-road capability with on-road comfort as a genuine year-round solution. Its tread pattern features a zig-zag centre rib, ribbed shoulder grooves, rigid tread blocks and offset shoulder blocks, improving on- and off-road traction and braking on loose surfaces, mud and snow. These also support self-cleaning, while a robust tread block and reinforced sidewall with gripping edges enhance stability, durability and off-road traction. 4D-NANO Design technology further supports fuel efficiency and performance across a broad range of weather conditions.

Marcus Schulz, Assistant Manager – Product Planning, Dunlop Tyre Europe GmbH, said, "Winter road conditions present unique challenges for tyres with drivers expecting a tailored tyre for their vehicle. With our current winter portfolio, we combine innovative technologies with everyday practicality, offering solutions for a broad range of vehicles and applications. In doing so, FALKEN ensures motorists can rely on balanced and dependable tyre performance, even in changing weather conditions.”

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The AZuR project group on chemical recycling convened its annual in-person meeting on 1 October 2026, bringing together more than 20 network partners at Pyrum Innovations AG in Dillingen/Saar. The gathering centred on recent scientific findings, the recovery of raw materials from end-of-life tyres, the European Tyre-to-Tyre initiative and collaborative projects planned for 2027. Participants examined how recovered carbon black and tyre thermolysis oil can be more effectively integrated into industrial production processes.

A scientific highlight came from Dr -Ing Sebastian Bogdahn, who presented his dissertation on the production and ecological assessment of high-quality carbonizates derived from used tyre thermolysis. His research combined experimental investigations, process modelling and life cycle assessment, with particular attention to recovered carbon black produced during thermolysis and subsequently processed. The findings indicated that the modelled system could potentially lower global warming potential relative to fossil-based carbon black production while underscoring the significance of process control, product quality and energy supply for environmental performance.

The European Tyre-to-Tyre initiative, launched in July 2026 by Pirelli, Pyrum, Synthos and BASF, illustrated how chemical recycling processes can be embedded within industrial value chains. Pyrum converts used and rejected tyres into recovered carbon black and tyre thermolysis oil through thermolysis. The processed carbon black is then used in Pirelli's tyre manufacturing, partially substituting fossil-based industrial carbon black.

At BASF, thermolysis oil is combined with fossil raw materials to produce chemical products including butadiene and styrene. Synthos utilises corresponding feedstocks to manufacture synthetic rubbers, which are subsequently employed in Pirelli's tyre production. According to the project partners, the entire value chain remains traceable via ISCC PLUS certification.

A notable feature of the meeting was a tour of Pyrum's thermolysis plants. Divided into three groups, attendees gained insights into the technical processes and engaged directly with on-site experts. The tour clarified the technical steps required for recovering and further processing raw materials, from the handling of used tyres through to the resulting product streams.

Management emphasised the value of regular AZuR in-person meetings, which combine exchange among companies, technology providers and research institutions with exposure to real industrial applications. The gathering demonstrated the importance of collaboration across the entire value chain, with research, technology development, industrial processing and tyre production considered together to transform recovered materials into high-quality raw materials for new products. The project group will continue this exchange in 2027 through concrete projects and information initiatives.

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