Test World gearing up for introduction of European Ice Grip Label

Ahead of May’s introduction of the new-style European tyre label, Test World has begun ice grip testing for customers at its facility in Ivalo, Northern Finland.

The existing 3PMSF ‘snowflake’ symbol indicates that a tyre is suitable for both Central Europe and Nordic countries, but Test World says that, in reality, the technical demands of these two markets are very different. Nordic winter conditions are typically far harsher than in Central Europe, with more snow and ice on the roads.

The new Ice Grip symbol has therefore been developed to help motorists determine the suitability of tyres for different winter conditions.

Test World’s state-of-the-art indoor test facility is the ideal location to conduct year-round ice grip testing in a controllable environment. Sheltered from the variability and unpredictability of the elements, the indoor test facility ensures the highest degree of accuracy and repeatability.

Jukka Antila, Technical Director at Test World, said: “The European Ice Grip symbol has been a long time coming for the tyre sector. Until this year, there has been no official way for manufacturers to identify tyres that are suitable for the snowier and icier conditions of the Nordic winter.

“Test World is able to offer an end-to-end solution, allowing customers to send their tyres to our facility safe in the knowledge that our team of experienced engineers will conduct the testing to the required standard”.

Test World’s parent company, Millbrook, is merging with French company, UTAC CERAM. The merger benefits Test World’s customers as the group now boasts an even more comprehensive tyre testing capability. Test World’s year-round snow and ice testing will be complemented by the UTAC CERAM Millbrook laboratory tests and soon-to-be opened proving ground in Morocco.