Nokian Tyres presents the Birch tire prototype with sustainable materials
The Finnish company Nokian Tyres has unveiled a new tire concept called Birch. This prototype stands out for integrating a very high percentage of renewable and recycled components, marking a firm step toward its goal of relying less on crude oil-derived raw materials. 🚗
Biological and recycled composition of the tire
The Birch prototype uses an innovative formula that prioritizes ingredients of natural origin. Elements such as natural rubber, rapeseed oil, and resins extracted from pines form its base. A standout component is silica, obtained by processing rice husk ash, an agricultural residue. The company states that these bio-based and recycled materials can represent more than 90% of the product's total weight. The current challenge is to ensure they meet all required performance and road safety standards.
Key materials used:- Natural rubber: Obtained from renewable sources.
- Rapeseed oil: Used as an alternative to petroleum-derived oils.
- Rice husk ash silica: Recycled byproduct that improves tire properties.
This development reflects our commitment to testing new formulas and processes that bring us closer to a completely closed product life cycle.
Focus on the circular economy
This project is not an isolated exercise but the central axis of the brand's strategy to advance toward a true circular economy. The purpose is to design with the entire cycle in mind, from the tire's conception to its eventual recycling, minimizing waste. Although the company has not announced a specific date for launching a tire with these characteristics to the market, the Birch prototype is a vital platform for validating future technologies and compositions.
Birch project objectives:- Reduce dependence on fossil raw materials.
- Validate the performance of alternative materials.
- Efficiently close the product life cycle.
A glimpse into the future of mobility
It may seem like a long-term vision, but initiatives like this bring closer the reality where cars will roll on tires made mostly from natural resources. Perhaps pines, in addition to their traditional use, will soon be known for helping vehicles maintain grip in winter conditions. ❄️ This prototype underscores the direction the industry is taking to produce tires that do not compromise the planet.