UPM Biochemicals and Nokian Tyres, a leading developer and manufacturer of premium tires, are set for an industry first with its concept tire partly based on UPM BioMotion™ Renewable Functional Fillers (RFF).
The partnership will launch UPM’s CO₂-negative Renewable Functional Fillers1 into a new market segment and highlights the possibilities to use a lighter weight, 100% renewable alternative to traditional CO₂-intensive fillers.
“We are constantly working on innovations that advance us towards our target of increasing the share of recycled or renewable raw materials in tires to 50% by 2030. Since 2022, a portion of the carbon black used by Nokian Tyres has been made from recycled materials. We see UPM BioMotion™ RFF as a promising renewable alternative to traditional carbon black, and in the future, we hope to see that renewable filler materials will find their way into various tire applications, complementing an increasing share of recycled content”, explains Teemu Soini, Vice President Innovations & Development at Nokian Tyres.
Functional fillers represent approximately 30% of a tire and consist of materials such as primarily carbon black and precipitated silica. According to an initial test series by Nokian Tyres, replacing functional fillers with UPM BioMotion™ RFF offers great potential for more sustainable tires and therefore is a highly relevant component on the path towards sustainable mobility. Nokian Tyres will be the first tire manufacturer incorporating UPM’s Renewable Functional Fillers into their concept tire.
Michael Duetsch, Vice President Biochemicals at UPM, commented: “Our partnership with Nokian Tyres marks the exciting entry of our Renewable Functional Fillers into the global tire markets. In successfully demonstrating their application value, it helps us to lay the groundwork for scaling our biorefinery business so that we can make a significant contribution to the sustainable transformation of the mobility sector and beyond.”
UPM’s BioMotion™ RFF are among several CO2-negative solutions1 set to be produced at UPM’s Leuna facility. The company is investing EUR 1,180 million to build the world’s first industrial scale biorefinery in Leuna that will convert sustainably sourced, certified hardwood into next generation biochemicals – enabling the vital shift away from fossil-based to renewable materials across a wide range of industries. The Leuna biorefinery is part of a broader growth area, UPM Biorefining, which is scaling refineries to produce a variety of renewable fuels and chemicals made from sustainable biomass.
The first Nokian Tyres concept tire containing UPM BioMotion™ RFF will be exhibited at the German rubber industry conference DKT 2024 in Nürnberg, Germany, from July 1-4 at the UPM booth 527 in Hall 9.
1From cradle to gate, considering biogenic carbon from our feedstock and purchasing 100% green electricity.
Picture of the concept tire with UPM BioMotionTM RFF. (Picture: Nokian Tyres)
For further information please contact:
Martin Ledwon, Vice President Stakeholder Relations, UPM Biorefining & Technology, martin.ledwon@upm.com
UPM, Media Relations
Mon-Fri 9:00-16:00 EEST
tel. +358 40 588 3284
media@upm.com
UPM Biochemicals
UPM Biochemicals offers innovative, sustainable and competitive wood-based biochemicals for replacing fossil-based raw materials and helping to improve the environmental performance in various applications. End-use segments for renewable glycols include textiles, PET bottles, packaging, coolants, composites, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and detergents. Lignin-based Renewable Functional Fillers (RFF) offer a sustainable alternative to carbon black and precipitated silica in a broad range of rubber and plastic applications. UPM is building an industrial scale biorefinery in Leuna, Germany to convert solid wood into next generation biochemicals. UPM Biochemicals is accelerating the transition to a circular bioeconomy – where renewable feedstocks, sustainable production and sustainable consumption are the new normal. www.upmbiochemicals.com
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UPM
We deliver renewable and responsible solutions and innovate for a future beyond fossils across six business areas: UPM Fibres, UPM Energy, UPM Raflatac, UPM Specialty Papers, UPM Communication Papers and UPM Plywood. As the industry leader in responsibility, we are committed to the UN Business Ambition for 1.5°C and the science-based targets to mitigate climate change. We employ 16,600 people worldwide and our annual sales are approximately EUR 10.5 billion. Our shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd. UPM Biofore – Beyond fossils. www.upm.com
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Nokian Tyres
Nokian Tyres develops and manufactures premium tires for people who value safety, sustainability and predictability. Inspired by our Scandinavian heritage, we craft innovative products for passenger cars, trucks and heavy machinery that give you peace of mind in all driving conditions. Our Vianor chain provides tire and car services. In 2023, our net sales totaled EUR 1,174 million. At the end of 2023 we employed over 3,400 professionals. Nokian Tyres is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki. Further information: www.nokiantyres.com.