NOKIA, Finland —Nokian Tyres P.L.C. has committed to using zero CO2 emission energy for the tire maker's new passenger tire plant in Oradea, Romania, signing a long-term agreement with renewable energy provider Enery to support that pledge.
The agreement also provides for Enery to build a solar power plant in southern Romania. The contract runs 11 years, beginning in 2025.
Nokian Tyres said the Oradea PLT plant will operate entirely without fossil fuels, claiming it is the world's first full-scale tire factory with zero CO2 emissions. Commercial production is slated to start early next year.
Nokian Tyres SVP for Operation Excellence Adrian Kaczmarczyk said the contract supports "Europe's green transition. The agreement also supports our long-term target to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emission level by 2050."
Severin Vartigov, chief commercial officer at Enery, said the agreement "underscores our mission to deliver meaningful environmental impact through responsible energy practices, while also contributing to Romania's energy independence and sustainable future."
"This collaboration underscores our shared commitment to reducing carbon emissions and fostering a cleaner energy future," he said.
Earlier in November, the Romanian government agreed to provide Nokian Tyres grants valued at $108 million to support the recently inaugurated tire plant in Oradea. The plant has a nameplate capacity of 6 million tires a year.
