LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Hankook Tire America Corp. is showcasing this week at the Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS) in Louisville truck tires made with its proprietary “Smartec TBR” technology.

Hankook describes Smartec technology as a manufacturing process that incorporates an integrated package of five key tire performance factor: safety, mileage, anti-chip and cut, retreadability and traction.

The first tire on the market built with this technology is the SmartFlex DL15, a long- and regional-haul drive tire that offers improved fuel economy performance thanks to an updated central rib and semi block tread pattern. The new tire also features a patented self-regenerating siping system that is designed to provide enhanced traction throughout the original tread’s lifetime.

“We are always looking for ways to improve our TBR products to give our customers the best tire for their individualized needs,” said Rob Williams, senior director of TBR sales.

“These three new tires represent the latest from our innovation team bringing not only a more dynamic TBR portfolio, but products that will go the distance for those who depend on them every day.”

The other products being featured at MATS are the e3 MAX DL21 and e3 WiDE TL21 wide-base long-haul drive-axle and trailer tires, respectively.

The e3 MAX DL21 offers “superior” fuel efficiency, Hankook claims, thanks to the use of “advanced” rubber technology and a closed shoulder tread design. A “Heel and Toe Stopper” tread design helps strengthen tread block rigidity while minimizing irregular wear of the tire over its lifetime.

The e3 WiDE TL21 is a wide-base trailer position tire, size 445/50R22.5, designed for high-mileage applications and which incorporates Hankook’s “Spiral-Coil”

Both of the e3 products are SmartWay verified.

SOURCE: TIRE BUSINESS