Finnish tire maker Nokian Tyres has announced a new stage in its sustainability strategy. The company has signed a cooperation agreement with Swedish firm Reselo AB to use the innovative Reselo Rubber material in tire production. This elastomer is made from birch bark waste left over from the wood and pulp and paper industries, “Interfax” reports.
Preliminary laboratory tests have shown promising results. According to Heini Sikkinen, Senior Manager of Research and Sustainability at Nokian Tyres, Reselo Rubber not only has the potential to replace fossil fuel-based materials, but also to potentially improve the performance of tires.
The partnership is part of Nokian Tyres’ ambitious goal to have half of its tire raw materials be renewable or recycled by 2030. The company is already making progress in this direction. In June 2024, Nokian Tyres Green Step Ligna was introduced, using UPM’s renewable BioMotion material. In addition, the company’s Nokian Tyres factory in Finland has received ISCC PLUS certification, confirming its compliance with environmental sustainability and greenhouse gas emission control standards.
