Nokian Tyres Partners with Reselo AB to Develop Renewable Tyre Material

Nokian Tyres Partners with Reselo AB to Develop Renewable Tyre Material

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.

Kraton Corporation Announces Price Hike For Polymer Products

Kraton Corporation Announces Price Hike For Polymer Products

Kraton Corporation, a leading global producer of speciality polymers and high-value bio-based chemicals derived from pine wood pulping co-products, a global price increase for all polymer products with effect from 1 April 2026. The price hike will range from USD 440 per MT to USD 700 per MT, or as individual contract terms permit, with the exact price change varying according to the polymer type and production location.

The driving forces behind these significant pricing actions are multifaceted, rooted in substantial disruptions to global supply chains. These disruptions are largely attributed to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has had a cascading effect on logistics. Compounding this issue are the sharply rising costs associated with transportation and essential raw materials.

LANXESS Announces Price Hike For Rubber Additives

LANXESS Announces Price Hike For Rubber Additives

German specialty chemicals company LANXESS has announced a global price increase for its portfolio of functional additives for the manufacture of tyres and speciality rubbers. These changes, which are set to take effect immediately or as soon as individual contract terms permit, will see prices rise by 15 to 50 percent.

The driving forces behind these significant pricing actions are multifaceted, rooted in substantial disruptions to global supply chains. These disruptions are largely attributed to the ongoing geopolitical conflict, which has had a cascading effect on logistics. Compounding this issue are the sharply rising costs associated with transportation and essential raw materials.

Orion S.A. Announces Price Hike For Speciality Carbon Black

Orion S.A. Announces Price Hike For Speciality Carbon Black

Orion S.A., a global speciality chemicals company, has announced a global price increase for its portfolio of speciality carbon black. These changes, which are set to take effect immediately or as soon as individual contract terms permit, will see prices rise by up to 25 percent.

In a strategic move to address persistent market volatility, the company is also implementing a variable surcharge on top of the base price increase. The driving forces behind these significant pricing actions are multifaceted, rooted in substantial disruptions to global supply chains. These disruptions are largely attributed to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has had a cascading effect on logistics. Compounding this issue are the sharply rising costs associated with transportation and essential raw materials.

WACKER Announces Price Hike For Polymers Product Range

WACKER Announces Price Hike For Polymers Product Range

German chemical group WACKER has announced a price hike across its global polymers portfolio, responding directly to significant upheavals in international commodity markets triggered by the recent military conflict in the Middle East. This geopolitical instability has created pronounced distortions throughout the supply chain, leading to a sharp escalation in the costs of essential inputs. The company is experiencing substantially higher prices for crude oil and natural gas as well as for various other raw materials and logistics services.

To address this challenging economic landscape and offset the considerable burden of increased raw material and transportation expenses, the chemical group is implementing price adjustments effective 1 April 2026. The updated pricing will apply to several key product categories, specifically including polymer dispersions, a variety of resins and dispersible polymer powders. This strategic move is essential for the company to maintain operational stability and continue delivering its products reliably amidst the volatile market conditions.

The final scale of these price increases is not a fixed, across-the-board figure but will be determined by specific variables. It will largely depend on the original source of the product, with goods manufactured at the company’s European and Asian production sites being most affected. Furthermore, the terms outlined in existing customer contracts will also play a crucial role in defining the exact extent of the adjustment, ensuring a tailored approach to the implementation of this necessary price correction.