Hankook is investing in both supporting upcoming design talent and developing sustainable motorsports—with both partnerships aimed at ensuring that technological innovation, sustainability, and safety play a defining role in the next era of mobility.
A partnership between Hankook subsidiary Model Solution and the world-renowned ArtCenter College of Design (USA) gives the next generation of designers the opportunity to turn their ideas into production-ready prototypes.
Through this collaboration, ArtCenter’s practice-oriented education and Model Solution’s advanced prototyping technology come together: the company will manufacture the best projects from Spring 2026 “3D Modeling 3” course to industrial standards, while students can follow the entire development process from CAD verification to CMF specifications and sustainable material selection. The collaboration focuses on areas where Model Solution is also a key player: wearable smart devices, personalized mobility solutions, drones, IoT products (smart devices that sense, communicate, and react autonomously to their environment), and medical technology.
The company covers the full cost of manufacturing and logistics, further reinforcing its commitment to talent development. In addition to this partnership, Model Solution actively participates in numerous talent development and design innovation programs to identify future industry directions and emerging trends in a timely manner by collaborating with emerging designers.
Hankook has officially become a global partner of the International Automobile Federation (FIA). At the signing ceremony in London, executives from both the FIA and Hankook emphasized that the partnership aims to accelerate technological advancement and strengthen sustainable mobility ecosystem.
According to the agreement, Hankook will be an official partner of the FIA Sustainable Innovation Series from 2026 to 2028, which is closely linked to several world championship series — including Formula E, Formula 1, the WEC and the WRC. The platform encourages collaboration among industry actors, with a particular focus on how technologies developed on the racetrack can be applied to road vehicles.
Hankook supports the partnership with its comprehensive technological expertise and sustainable development strategy, such as AI-based research and development, iON tires designed for electric vehicles, and the increasingly widespread use of renewable and recycled materials.
Jongho Park, President and COO of Hankook Tire Europe, stated: “As a global partner of the FIA, we aim to put our technological expertise and experience in sustainable tire development to work for the future of mobility — in motorsport and beyond.”
Hankook’s involvement in motorsports is a key element of the company’s research and development strategy, as the real-world conditions on the racetrack provide an ideal testing ground for new technologies and materials.