Nokian exploring use of birch bark as renewable tire material

NOKIA, Finland — Nokian Tyres P.L.C. is collaborating with Reselo Rubber A.B. — the winner of the tire maker's Fast Race, Big Change sustainable tire innovation challenge in February of last year — to develop further a potential new raw material for eventual use in commercial tires.

The renewable material is made from birch bark from the residue of the global pulp, paper and plywood industry.

Heini Siekkinen, senior manager, research & sustainability of Nokian, said lab results show Reselo Rubber to have "great potential" for use as a replacement for fossil-fuel-based materials

"Furthermore, the material is not only renewable, but we believe it may also be used to improve the tire's performance features," he said, noting the aim is to use the material in future Nokian tires.

Reselo won the Fast Race, Big Change sustainable tire innovation challenge, whose goal was to find new solutions for more sustainable tires. Preliminary testing showed potential for Reselo Rubber to be a possible tire material; the co-operation will attempt to develop the material to match demanding tire properties.

"The partnership with Nokian Tyres marks an important milestone in our ambition to revolutionize the rubber industry with a high performing bio-based rubber," Henrik Otendal, CEO and co-founder of Reselo, said.

"We believe that Reselo Rubber has potential to be one of the steps on our journey towards our goal and are glad to have Reselo as a partner supporting our quest," Teemu Soini, vice president, Innovations & Development of Nokian Tyres.

Nokian said one of its sustainability goals to have 50% of the raw materials in its tires renewable or recycled by 2030. In June 2024, the company illustrated the usability of UPM BioMotion, a new renewable material in tires, by presenting the concept tire Nokian Tyres Green Step Ligna.

Last month, Nokian Tyres said its factory in Nokia has obtained the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS. With the certification, Nokian Tyres can use sustainable, ISCC PLUS certified raw materials in its tires.