Szabolcs Oláh: We have developed a revolutionary new tyre raw material
“The Hankook team is capable of great things because we can count on each other,” says Material Unit Manager Szabolcs Oláh. Our talented engineer is proud not only of his colleagues, but also of the company’s achievements in e-mobility and sustainability. Our colleague, who made his debut as a speaker at the 1st Újváros Festival, gives us a glimpse into the truly exciting world of electric transport.
At Hankook, we have been researching the latest technologies for years to develop tires that not only meet the mobility challenges of today, but also those of the future. The rise of electric cars is unstoppable. But did you know, for example, that the weight distribution and engine dynamics of such a vehicle apply very different forces to the wheels than its conventional internal combustion engine predecessor? This is precisely why tires of a different construction and composition are needed, and this is where our company, with the significant contribution of Szabolcs Oláh and his unit, has recently made a big difference.
“We have taken a completely new approach to the production of tire compounds specialized for e-cars. Our goal was to reduce rolling resistance so that a vehicle with Hankook tires can go as far as possible on the road. We achieved this in a new way: we improved the rolling resistance of the rubber. If this property is better, we need to use less raw material in the production process, which reduces the weight of the tire but increases its life and range – and we do it in a sustainable way. The special compound is the work of other colleagues at Hankook, but it was our team that made it possible to introduce it to mass production,” said Szabolcs, summing up their achievement.
The expert, who is a chemical engineer by training, talked about all this not only to us, but also to the audience attending the lecture of the 1st Újváros Festival Open University. “I give an annual seminar at the University of Technology in Budapest, but this was the first time I gave a presentation on the subject in an informal setting. It was a surprising and satisfying experience to see that the interactive presentation was followed by a number of questions on the topic. It is remarkable that a young boy also asked to speak. It is clear that the future of mobility is indeed a matter of wide public concern, and we are working to serve this growing need in the most professional way,” said our colleague.
He added: “Many people don’t realize when they buy their first electric car how differently electric cars behave in terms of weight distribution, how much more dynamic the forces on the wheels are, or that they need tires with a different composition and properties to ensure safe traction.”
“We have given road and car enthusiasts a glimpse into this world. I should mention here that I’ve been anchored with the company for quite a few years, yet this is my first and only job. Why? Because, as you can see, the Hankook team is capable of great things, because we can rely on each other,” Szabolcs pointed out.
And what does the future hold? “We never stop developing compounds, we are constantly working on new innovations. We can’t sit back, as we are navigating towards an environmentally friendly future, which is in the common interest of all of us,” he concluded.