Tyre manufacturer Hankook broke ground for it’s next generation R&D centre – the HANKOOK TECHNODOME. Significant R&D investments are made to accelerate the development of future tyre technologies by providing stronger research capabilities. The new R&D infrastructure will consolidate Hankook’s foundation for sustainable growth towards becoming a global top-tier tyre company
Premium tyre manufacturer Hankook held a groundbreaking ceremony yesterday for its next generation global R&D centre, the HANKOOK TECHNODOME, at its construction site in Daejeon, Korea. Along with the celebratory event, the company also announced their strategic R&D vision for Hankook’s headway into becoming a global top-tier tyre brand based on technological leadership.
The tyre manufacturer’s mid- to long-term strategic R&D plans were laid out, including plans that called for new tyre research and testing facilities, which will contribute to a considerable increase in Hankook Tire’s technological capabilities. A new high-tech R&D infrastructure will be established in Korea with two main parts: the HANKOOK TECHNODOME in Daeduk Innopolis, Daejeon, and the HANKOOK TEST & ENGINEERING CENTRE in Sangju.
The HANKOOK TECHNODOME, with a total investment of KRW 266 billion (an equivalent of approx. more than 190 Million EUR), is projected to come on stream by 2016. Upon completion, this iconic, high-tech facility will become a driving force for innovative new technologies with future-oriented features. Furthermore, the new HANKOOK TEST & ENGINEERING CENTRE is expected to be completed by 2018 and will serve as a global hub for tyre evaluation technologies. It will also be equipped with state-of-the-art tyre testing facilities. Together, the two high-tech R&D facilities will act as the core instruments of the company’s overall R&D infrastructure.
“We strongly believe that acquiring more robust, more advanced R&D capabilities is a crucial step in our growth formula towards becoming a global top-tier tyre brand,” said Mr. Seung-Hwa Suh, Hankook Tire Vice Chairman and Global CEO. “The HANKOOK TECHNODOME has been designed to reflect our confidence in R&D and will be a meaningful milestone in our company’s further development. Combined with our proactive corporate culture, the high-tech R&D facility will provide a great foundation for us to realise a management structure based on quality and progressive leadership.”
Hankook’s new R&D facility was designed by Foster + Partners, an architectural firm founded by Sir Norman Foster. The prominent British architect and his company are famous for bold, future-oriented designs. It is no surprise then that the HANKOOK TECHNODOME will take on a high-tech, cutting-edge aesthetic. However, it will also integrate an array of sophisticated features intended to stimulate creativity and improve efficiency. As such, the state-of-the-art facility will allow for a world class working environment in which the company’s researchers can dedicate themselves to setting new benchmarks in tyre-related technologies. The building will boast a massive floor space of 96,328m² and a total land area of 70,387m². Inside the main research building, 90 separate laboratories will enable a wide range of R&D activities to be carried out simultaneously. Once in place approximately 1,000 researchers will work at the new TECHNODOME, thus increasing the R&D manpower by more than 40 per cent compare to Hankook’s current global R&D centre.
The TECHNODOME has already been certified Gold Level for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) as a result of its eco-friendly architectural features. Organised by the U.S. Green Building Council, the LEED programme recognises best-in-class building strategies and practices, and is also one of the world’s most respected green building certification programs. In order to earn Gold, building projects must satisfy a number of prerequisites and earn enough points to surpass lower levels of certification.
The HANKOOK TECHNODOME’s eco-friendly features include the utilisation of natural ventilation and lighting, as well as resource recycling facilities and natural shades that reduce the dependency on the building’s cooling system.
