A global tyre manufacturer NEXEN TIRE is revolutionising tyre development by integrating advanced technologies such as eXplainable AI (XAI) and 3D printing.
NEXEN TIRE has traditionally followed a multi-step process for tyre development, involving designing structures and patterns, creating molds, manufacturing prototypes, and testing them on vehicles. The company has streamlined this process by incorporating XAI and 3D printing and enhanced product precision.
XAI, an artificial intelligence technology, helps analyse and understand the causes and processes behind machine learning algorithms. NEXEN TIRE uses XAI to analyse various information related to tyre design, such as basic designs, key design variables, performance contributions, and design directions. This maximises design efficiency and helps propose optimal structures and designs that meet tyre developers’ requirements.
NEXEN TIRE leverages XAI-driven designs to create Virtual Tire Models, assessing product performance in virtual environments. This increases accuracy and speed in tyre development. The company’s recent decision to adopt a driving simulator will elevate virtual development further.
Once a model passes the virtual development stage, a physical prototype is produced for final evaluation, which requires mould production. NEXEN TIRE utilises 3D printing technology to make molds, enabling the simultaneous creation of prototypes in various designs and specifications. As these prototypes have already undergone verification in the virtual development process, the chances of final product approval are significantly increased.
Traditionally, mould production alone took two to three months, but with 3D printing, this period can be cut by at least 70%. Additionally, production costs can be reduced by at least 50%, ensuring cost efficiency from the early stages of development.
The 3D printing-based mould manufacturing technology allows for innovative tyre designs that include diverse and complex patterns and sipes. This is crucial for supporting high-performance vehicles and providing consumers with enhanced performance and safety. NEXEN TIRE has applied for an international patent for its 3D printing technology.
By innovating its development process, NEXEN TIRE enhances product competitiveness while reducing time and costs. The company also contributes to sustainable management by reducing waste and costs associated with discarded prototypes.
“The ultimate goal of our technological innovations is to enhance customer satisfaction.” A NEXEN TIRE representative stated, “Transforming the tyre development process not only secures market competitiveness but also contributes to environmental protection during the development process, shaping the future of tyre manufacturing and driving revolutionary change.”
Enviro Secures Three-Month Extension For Company Reorganisation
- By TT News
- July 01, 2026
Scandinavian Enviro Systems AB (publ) has secured a three-month extension of its ongoing company reorganisation, as approved by the Gothenburg District Court on 30 June 2026. The revised deadline now extends to 27 August 2026, with Johan Sölveland of Ackordscentralen continuing as the appointed reorganisation administrator. The initial reorganisation proceedings commenced on 27 February 2026.
The extension is strategically designed to facilitate the finalisation of critical long-term financing negotiations and the completion of a formal reorganisation plan. Enviro’s internal timeline projects that the plan will be ready for presentation in August 2026, concurrently with a comprehensive financing package to support its implementation. A key component of the proposal will involve a debt write-down, with non-priority creditors preliminarily offered a minimum 25 percent settlement, payable three months post-plan ratification, though this figure remains subject to revision.
The company maintains that the progress achieved during the initial phase has laid a solid foundation for a successful restructuring. Enviro’s preliminary assessment indicates that the current trajectory supports the ultimate goal of establishing a sustainable, long-term capital framework, with the reorganisation plan proceeding according to schedule.
Genan Strengthens Central European Presence With Major Tyre Recycling Plant Takeover
- By TT News
- July 01, 2026
International environmental company Genan has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire ESTATO Umweltservice's mechanical tyre recycling facility in Weiden, southeastern Germany, from the ATU Group, a major domestic chain for automotive service and repair. The transaction includes a concurrent long-term cooperation pact designed to secure a consistent supply of end-of-life tyres for the plant, which currently processes approximately 45,000 tonnes of such material each year.
This acquisition marks a significant expansion for Genan, which already operates six recycling facilities across Denmark, Germany, Portugal and United States. The company’s existing operations collectively yield an annual production capacity exceeding 400,000 tonnes of processed tyres, establishing it as a substantial player in the international recycling sector.
The strategic move aligns with Genan’s broader growth objectives, particularly its focus on markets offering the most promising long-term prospects. By integrating the Weiden site, the company aims to bolster its footprint in Germany while gaining access to attractive markets in Central and Eastern Europe. A key element of the deal is the partnership with ATU, which guarantees a steady inflow of used tyres collected from the group’s workshops in Weiden and Werl that are unsuitable for direct reuse.
Poul Steen Rasmussen, Genan’s Group CEO, outlined an ambitious investment plan for the Weiden factory, committing a double-digit million-euro sum for a comprehensive upgrade over the coming year. The intention is to construct a technologically advanced production line on the existing premises, leveraging the company’s expertise in industrialising recycling processes. This approach mirrors a previous successful transformation in Portugal, where capacity, efficiency and environmental performance were significantly enhanced.
For ATU, the agreement ensures the professional, long-term processing of the vast quantities of used tyres generated by its workshops. The CEO of ATU Group expressed confidence that the partnership with Genan provides an excellent future for the Weiden site and its employees, combining industrial scale with a clear dedication to sustainable recycling. Both parties view the collaboration as a vital contribution to the circular economy, transforming waste into valuable raw materials.
The acquisition is also seen as a bellwether for the European recycling industry, signalling a phase of consolidation and heightened focus on circularity. Genan’s leadership noted that increasing political emphasis on waste management will drive demand for high-quality recycled materials, a need that requires significant investment in production technology. The group’s operations, which recycle rubber, steel and textile fibres for use in flooring, asphalt and industrial goods, are positioned to capitalise on this growth trajectory. The agreement is currently pending regulatory approval and is anticipated to be finalised shortly.
Hankook Tire Secures Triple Winner Accolades At Red Dot Design Award 2026
- By TT News
- June 30, 2026
Hankook Tire has further solidified its global reputation for innovative product design after securing three Winner awards in the Product Design category at the prestigious Red Dot Design Award 2026. The recognition from the internationally acclaimed competition underscores the company’s commitment to advancing tire technology through aesthetic and functional excellence.
The honoured products include the ultra-high-performance Ventus evo, the all-terrain iON AT developed for electric SUVs and pickup trucks and Laufenn’s summer performance tyre, the S FIT2. Each design was evaluated for its innovation, aesthetics, functionality and overall quality, with Hankook Tire standing out among global contenders in this year’s selection.
The Ventus evo was distinguished by its sharply defined centre wheel groove that enhances steering precision and reduces road noise, while a chamfer design and an AI-powered sustainable compound improve mileage by up to 32 percent. Its sidewall also features a Vanta Velvet graphic with an ultra-fine texture, combining visual appeal with practical performance. Meanwhile, the upcoming iON AT integrates key electric vehicle attributes such as energy efficiency, extended mileage and low noise into an off-road focused structure, with an optimised tread pattern and compound that minimise energy loss, heat generation and wear.
The S FIT2 from Laufenn earned recognition for its Numeric Sidewall design, which aligns with the brand’s minimalist philosophy while strengthening visual identity. Its asymmetric tread pattern ensures precise handling and effective drainage, while added features like the Alignment Indicator and EV Mark enhance user convenience. Environmentally conscious technologies also extend tread life and reduce noise. Organised by Germany’s Design Zentrum Nordrhein Westfalen, the Red Dot award is one of three major international design accolades – alongside the iF Design Award and the IDEA – where Hankook Tire continues to earn consistent recognition, reinforcing its premium brand image through innovation-driven design.
HS HYOSUNG Group Publishes First Comprehensive Sustainability Report Since Launch
- By TT News
- June 30, 2026
HS HYOSUNG Group has officially released its inaugural Sustainability Report, marking a significant milestone since the conglomerate’s establishment. The comprehensive document provides a transparent overview of the organisation’s Environmental, Social and Governance management activities, detailing both ongoing initiatives and notable accomplishments across its operations.
The publication consolidates ESG data from the holding entity, HS HYOSUNG Corporation, and extends to major subsidiaries such as HS HYOSUNG USA, Inc., HS HYOSUNG TOYOTA Co., Ltd. and HS HYOSUNG GLOBAL LOGISTICS VINA CO., Ltd. Furthermore, the report incorporates the ESG performance of key affiliates, including HS HYOSUNG ADVANCED MATERIALS Corporation and HS HYOSUNG INFORMATION SYSTEMS Corporation, ensuring a holistic representation of the group’s sustainability efforts.
Central to the report is the introduction of the group’s sustainability vision, ‘Rooted in Value, Growing Together’, which is supported by three strategic pillars: Growth Value, Shared Value and Trusted Value. To guide its strategy, the group synthesised double materiality assessments from various units, identifying five Group-wide priorities: customer satisfaction, occupational health and safety, compliance, eco-friendly portfolio and climate change response. The report systematically details the management frameworks, current progress, key achievements and forward-looking plans for each of these critical areas.
An HS HYOSUNG official said, "Publishing our first Sustainability Report as we celebrate the second anniversary of HS HYOSUNG makes this milestone especially meaningful. Going forward, we will continue to respond proactively to a changing business environment while creating greater value and building stronger trust with our stakeholders."
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