Introducing Green Step – Nokian’s most sustainable tyre yet

For decades, Nokian Tyres has been striving to make the world a safer and more environmentally-friendly place, and its latest innovation is described as its most sustainable tyre yet. The Nokian Tyres Green Step concept tyre incorporates an ambitious design consisting of 93 per cent of the materials either recycled or renewable. It moves the company even closer to its goal: by the year 2030, 50 per cent of all raw materials used in Nokian Tyres’ tyres will be recycled or renewable.

“Drivers are increasingly interested in the sustainability of their tyres, and this creates demand for us to create tyres for these standards. It also puts pressure on the industry to develop more eco-friendly materials, as well as for tyre manufacturing technology to adapt to these materials. With a concept tyre 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 from Nokian Tyres.

All rubber used in the Green Step concept tyre is natural, and renewable oils such as canola oil, are 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 fibre is used to make the tyre tougher.

Almost every component of the Green Step also includes some recycled materials. For example, the carbon black used in the rubber compounds was derived from end-of-life tyres, 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 believe that using recycled rubber and especially recycled carbon black will be a future trend in tyre 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 incorporate so many recycled elements in the Green Step already,” Ilomäki says.

The Nokian Tyres Green Step is a winter tyre and it is drivable on snow and ice. Some of the materials used in the concept tyre are familiar from various Nokian Tyres’ previous tyre models. Natural rubber is an important material in all tyres 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’ tyres, as Nokian Tyres stopped using high-aromatic oils as the first tyre manufacturer in the world in 2005.

The immediate target is to have 50 per cent of all raw materials used in the Nokian Tyres’ tyres recycled or renewable by the year 2030.