NOKIAN TYRES ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP TO DEVELOP EVEN MORE SUSTAINABLE TIRES

Carbon black is used as a reinforcing filler in tires to enhance their physical properties such as strength and resilience. Recycled carbon black can be used to partly replace the fossil-based virgin carbon blacks.

The target of the research project is to improve the properties of recycled carbon black so that it could be used more extensively. Nokian Tyres’ role in the project is to define the target properties for the improved recycled carbon black and test the materials produced.

Nokian Tyres included recycled carbon black in a commercial product line in 2022. It was a step forward in reaching one of the company’s sustainability targets, which is to increase the share of recycled and renewable raw materials in tires to 50% by 2030.

When introducing new raw materials in tires, one of the most demanding tasks is to find the right balance between raw material selection and tire properties.

The two-year development project is coordinated by Windspace Group A/S and co-financed by the Danish Eco-Innovation Program and the participants in addition to Nokian Tyres include Environmental Waste International, Kiso A/S and Danish Technological Institute.