Nokian Tyres has introduced the Nokian Tyres Green Step concept tire made with 93% recycled or renewable materials, that it says moves the company closer to its goal: by the year 2030, 50% of all raw materials used in Nokian Tyres’ tires will be recycled or renewable. 

“Drivers are more and more interested in the sustainability of their tires, and this creates demand for us to create tires for these standards. It also puts pressure on the industry to develop more eco-friendly materials, as well as for tire manufacturing technology to adapt to these materials. With a concept tire like the Green Step, we can push the limits. It’s a win-win for all, but especially for the environment,” says development manager Jouko Ilomäki.     

All rubber used in the Green Step concept tire is natural, and renewable oils such as canola oil, is used. Almost all plasticizer, resin and processing aids are from renewable resources. In addition, natural rice husk ash silica works as a main filler for the tread and sidewall, and renewable cord fiber is used to make the tire tougher. The carbon black used in the rubber compounds was derived from end-of-life tires, and the butyl used in the inner surface as well as the steel in the steel belts and bead wires in the structure are mainly recycled. 

“We learned new things with every innovation made for the concept tire. For example, one of the most demanding tasks was to replace the synthetic rubber completely with natural rubber, which we achieved in the end,” Ilomäki adds. “We believe that using recycled rubber and especially recycled carbon black will be a future trend in tire manufacturing: by the year 2030, we will have multiple new suppliers and more advanced technology. Also, the demand for raw materials with either recycled or renewed components will increase. We are very happy to be able to corporate so many recycled elements in the Green Step already.”   

The Nokian Tyres Green Step is a winter tire and it is drivable on snow and ice. Some of the materials used in the concept tire are familiar from various Nokian Tyres’ previous tire models. Natural rubber is an important material in all tires because of its beneficial features. Alternative sources for natural rubber, such as the guyule plant, are also researched. Renewable oils are common in Nokian Tyres’ tires, as Nokian Tyres was the first tire manufacturer in the world to stop using high-aromatic oils in 2005, the company says.  

Nokian Tyres Green Step concept tire, at a glance: 

• 93% of materials recycled or renewable 
• Renewable materials include natural rubber, renewable oils and natural rice husk ash silica 
• Recycled materials used in almost every component of the tire 
• Recycled materials include recycled steel and carbon black 
• Innovations created for the concept tire will be incorporated in future tires 
• The target is to have 50% of all raw materials used in the Nokian Tyres’ tires recycled or renewable by the year 2030