Nokian Tyres has signed a development agreement with Reselo AB to further develop Reselo Rubber as a potential new raw material for tyres. Reselo Rubber is an entirely renewable material made from birch bark sourced from the residue of the global pulp, paper and plywood industry.  

Nokian Tyres and Reselo AB first collaborated through Nokian Tyres’ FAST RACE, BIG CHANGE sustainable tyre innovation challenge. After initial testing, the potential of Reselo Rubber as a tyre material was established. The companies will now work together to develop the material to meet the demanding requirements of commercial tyre production.

“According to the initial laboratory tests we have conducted on Reselo Rubber, it has great potential to replace traditional fossil-based materials in tyres. Furthermore, the material is not only renewable, but we believe it may also be used to improve the tyre’s performance features. We are excited to develop it further in cooperation with Reselo and hope to have Reselo Rubber in Nokian Tyres tyres in the future,” says Heini Siekkinen, Senior Manager, Research & Sustainability from Nokian Tyres.

“We are proud and excited to join forces with Nokian Tyres to improve the sustainability of the largest rubber industry segment even further. The partnership with Nokian Tyres marks an important milestone in our ambition to revolutionise the rubber industry with a high-performing bio-based rubber,” says Henrik Otendal, CEO and one of the founders of Reselo.

One of Nokian Tyres’ key sustainability goals is to have 50 percent of the raw materials in its tyres renewable or recycled by 2030. In June 2024, the company demonstrated the use of UPM BioMotion, a groundbreaking new renewable material, in its concept tyre, Nokian Tyres Green Step Ligna. In August 2024, Nokian Tyres’ factory in Nokia, Finland, obtained the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS, enabling the company to introduce new sustainable, ISCC PLUS-certified raw materials into its tyres.

The partnership with Reselo AB is a significant step towards Nokian Tyres’ sustainability goals and highlights the company’s commitment to developing innovative and sustainable tyre solutions.

“We believe that Reselo Rubber has the potential to be one of the steps on our journey towards our goal and are glad to have Reselo as a partner supporting our quest,” says Teemu Soini, VP of Innovations & Development from Nokian Tyres.

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Germany's rubber industry continues to face significant headwinds, with fresh data from the German Rubber Industry Association (wdk) revealing a persistent downturn. The figures show employment falling for the fifth year in a row, while production levels have declined for the fourth consecutive year, underscoring the sector's struggle to regain its footing.

The association attributes this stagnation to waning enthusiasm for German rubber goods in both domestic and international markets. Michael Berthel, wdk Chief Economist, described a fundamental shift in procurement behaviour, even within Germany. He noted that purchasing decisions are now driven almost exclusively by price, a stark departure from the historical emphasis on quality and reliability. This change has opened the door to intense international cost competition, placing immense pressure on Germany's medium-sized suppliers. Berthel highlighted that prohibitive domestic costs related to energy, bureaucracy, taxation and labour make it nearly impossible for these firms to compete effectively. Consequently, many are compelled to relocate their investments abroad as a necessary escape from these local burdens, even though their preference would be to maintain and revitalise their operations within Germany after years of strategic transformation.

Against this backdrop, wdk President Michael Klein issued an urgent appeal to the federal government. He acknowledged that the broader struggles of German industry are well documented but stressed the immediate need for decisive political intervention. Klein called for concrete measures to stimulate demand and bolster the nation's competitive edge within Europe without further delay. He warned against allowing the rubber sector to decline quietly, emphasising its critical role in essential areas such as healthcare, infrastructure, security and mobility.

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Punia Metox Private Limited has commenced production at a new manufacturing facility in Thottambedu, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, with operations starting on 12 February 2026.

The plant has an initial production capacity of 12,000 tonnes a year. Its structural design allows capacity to be doubled within four to six months, providing scope for rapid scale-up as demand grows, the company said.

Punia Metox said the facility has been equipped with modern technology to support operational and energy efficiency, safety, sustainability and consistent product quality. The company added that the plant has been designed to enable smooth and seamless operations from the outset.

The expansion forms part of Punia Metox’s strategy to align capacity growth with customer requirements and strengthen its position as a long-term supply partner. The company said the new unit reflects its focus on customer satisfaction, ethical business practices and value-based growth.

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Cabot Corporation said it can now produce circular reinforcing carbons in the Asia-Pacific region after validating manufacturing capability at its plants in Cilegon, Indonesia, and Tianjin, China.

The materials are produced using tyre pyrolysis oil derived from end-of-life tyres and an International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS mass-balance approach. With the addition of the two Asian sites, Cabot said it now has circular reinforcing carbon production capacity across Asia, Europe and the Americas.

Tyre manufacturers are pursuing targets to increase sustainable material use in tyre production, with many aiming for 40 per cent by 2030 and 100 per cent by 2050, the company said. Cabot’s circular reinforcing carbons are designed as a drop-in replacement for conventional carbon black, allowing manufacturers to increase sustainable content without affecting tyre performance.

Aatif Misbah, Vice-President and General Manager for sustainable solutions in Cabot’s reinforcement materials segment, said: “This achievement reflects our deep commitment to delivering sustainable solutions across Asia Pacific and globally. Scaling our circular reinforcing carbon capabilities helps strengthen our role as a trusted partner to the tire industry, while helping to drive meaningful sustainability progress. Looking ahead, we remain focused on supporting our customers’ evolving needs and helping enable a more sustainable future.”

Cabot’s facilities in Ville Platte, Louisiana; Mauá, Brazil; and Valasske Mezirici in the Czech Republic had previously demonstrated circular reinforcing carbon production capability. The products are ISCC PLUS-certified and marketed under the recovered category of Cabot’s EVOLVE Sustainable Solutions platform.

The company said it has 13 ISCC PLUS-certified sites supporting circular reinforcing carbon production across Asia, Europe and the Americas, along with two certified masterbatch and compounding sites in Europe.

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The Rathi Group has formalised a partnership with the Indian Tyre Technical Advisory Committee (ITTAC) through a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at advancing technical collaboration on recovered carbon black (rCB). The agreement focuses on the responsible integration of rCB into tyre manufacturing, with an emphasis on detailed evaluation and enhancement of its material properties. This initiative will be driven through structured engagement between industry and academia, supported by ITTAC’s technical expertise.

The collaboration is facilitated by the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ATMA) and ITTAC, which have brought together leading technical experts, tyre manufacturers and research institutions on a unified platform. Their coordinated efforts are fostering a science-based approach to accelerate the assessment and adoption of circular materials within the tyre sector. This partnership is seen as a significant step in strengthening industry–academia linkages to advance sustainable practices.

Through this alliance, the Rathi Group aims to contribute to the evolving landscape of tyre-to-tyre circularity. The joint initiative underscores a shared commitment to developing innovative solutions that support environmental responsibility while maintaining technical performance standards in tyre applications.

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