Reselo and Nokian Tyres to implement Reselo birch-bark-based biorubber in tires
06 September 2024
Nokian Tyres and the Swedish biomaterials company Reselo AB have signed a development agreement to develop further their renewable material Reselo Rubber as a new raw material in tires. Reselo Rubber is a completely renewable material made from birch bark that comes from residues from the global pulp, paper and sawmill industry.
The purpose of the now signed cooperation agreement is to develop the material further to adapt it for commercial tire production.
According to the initial laboratory tests we have carried out at Reselo Rubber show great potential to replace traditional fossil-based materials in tires. In addition, the material is not only renewable, but we believe it can also be used to improve tire performance.
—Heini Siekkinen, Senior Manager, Research & Sustainability from Nokian Tyres
Reselo won Nokian Tyres’ FAST RACE, BIG CHANGE tire innovation challenge aimed at finding new solutions for more durable tires. After initial tests, Nokian Tyres saw the potential of Reselo Rubber as a possible tire material and now the collaboration continues in close collaboration to develop the material to demanding tire properties on an industrial scale.
One of Nokian Tyres key sustainability goals is to have 50% of the raw materials in Nokian Tyres tires renewable or recycled by 2030.
I am happy to see any advances in sustainable materials. Of course less automobile transportation (and certainly much less giant SUVs and RVs) is certainly desirable as well. However, pneumatic tires are here to stay so sustainable materials are desirable.
And of course non-automotive application exist. e.g. bicycle tires, sneakers, protective feet for furniture, etc. Of course this is another demand on the biosphere so that long-lived products should be targeted. No single use bio-plastics please.
Posted by: Roger Brown | 07 September 2024 at 07:49 AM