Hankook opens Spain test centre at Applus+

Hankook has been making continuous investments into research and development as well as the expansion of its testing capacities for many years.

In addition to the Technotrac winter tyre proving ground in Ivalo, Finland, and the opening of the Hankook Nürburgring Workshop at the end of 2021, the official opening of the newly constructed Hankook test centre on the premises of Applus+ in Idiada, Spain, has now also taken place.

All areas that previously had to be accommodated separately on the premises are now housed under one roof in the new workshop due to the constant growth in testing and development requirements over recent years.

Applus+ operates the NCT service in Ireland on behalf of the Road Safety Authority and has been partnered with Hankook Tire for 16 years.

The workshop is equipped with state-of-the-art, automated and entirely paperless test logistics from the recording of results to storage and transport processing. The on-site team of about 20, which is affiliated with the Hankook Europe Technical Center (ETC), also has access to its modern offices, lounges and social areas.

Klaus Krause, head of the European Research and Development Center in Hanover said: “Having been operating from the premises since summer last year, we are delighted to have now been able to hold the official opening of the new test centre, even though it was on a smaller scale due to the pandemic.

“The state-of-the-art equipment in our new workshop not only allows us to ensure optimal conditions and services, but also to implement the tire tests even more efficiently, which are a crucial part of our development work.”