Our innovations
Safer, longer, better
Tires are a crucial safety equipment and also play a role in the comfort, economy and sustainability of driving. We innovate continuously to improve all the aspects of driving from a longer range to a comfortably silent ride. With our innovations we want to make each new Nokian Tyres tire generation even better than the one before.
Concept tires
Concept tires showcase the extend of our innovation work. Many innovations found first in the concept tires will be later adapted to tires sold to consumers.
Our Concept Tyres
Nokian Tyres Green Step
In the Nokian Tyres Green Step concept tire 93 percent of the materials used are recycled or renewable. We only used natural rubber, and mostly renewable oils, plasticizer, resin and processing aids. In addition, renewable materials such as natural rice husk ash silica and cellulose fiber can be found in the tire. Almost every component of the Green Step also includes some recycled materials, from carbon black derived from end-of-life tires to the butyl used in the inner surface as well as the steel in the steel belts and bead wires in the structure.
Nokian Tyres Green Step Ligna
Nokian Tyres Green Step Ligna concept tire is the first ever tire made with UPM BioMotion™ RFF, a fully renewable wood-based lignin raw material. In the concept tire all fossil carbon black in the tire’s sidewalls is replaced by the new raw material, which is a promising fully renewable alternative for traditional carbon black, reducing the need for fossil materials and lowering carbon emissions in tire manufacturing. Nokian Tyres has long been innovating to use the material and has registered a patent for using the material in tire applications. Nokian Tyres is now licensing its patent to UPM, which enables UPM to provide the raw material to the tire industry.
The world's first winter tire with retractable studs
In this concept tire, the driver can bring out studs to improve the grip of the tire with a press of a button. When the studs are not needed, they can be retracted back into the tire. With the combined non-studded and studded tire the driver can make the switch when the conditions clearly change. The studs on all four tires raise and lower at the same time. The body of the stud remains in place, and the moving part is the hard metal pin in the middle of the stud.
Safety in demanding conditions
The starting point of all our innovation work is improving safety wherever you drive. Here are just some of our innovations safeguarding your journey.
Innovations on safety
Double Stud Technology
The studs on the center of the tire improve acceleration and braking grip. The star-shaped studs on both shoulders of the tire have been rotated by 180 degrees to ensure that the edges of the studs are always in an optimal position when they meet the road surface. This maximizes grip during turning and lane changes and provides excellent side grip and handling properties.
Arctic Grip Crystals
The microscopic, third-generation grip crystals are mixed in the tread rubber. These crystals work like built-in studs, creating sharp, tough grip edges inside the rubber. As the tire wears down, the crystals emerge and activate the much-needed grip reserve.
Alpine Sense Grip Technology
Alpine Sense Grip Technology allows the tire to adapt to varying winter conditions, always offering safe and predictable driving experience. The tire offers excellent winter grip and control for the most extreme driving situations.
The Season Sense Concept
The Season Sense Concept combines innovative technical features on the tread design, rubber compound and structure. For versatile all-season performance and ultimate safety on snow and dry, we tailored the tread compound for impressive wet grip, mileage and fuel efficiency and modernized the tread pattern to offer year-round safety and comfort.
Dual Zone Safety Concept
The Dual Zone Safety Concept consists of two functional zones. The Power Zone on the tire’s outer shoulder ensures precise handling, while the Wet Safety Zone on the inside maximizes safety on wet roads. The tread design provides a large contact area with the road, allowing the driver to feel how the tire grips, adapts to surface, and immediately reacts to steering.
Durability and toughness
Our tires are for the long haul. With innovations that make them more durable, drivers can enjoy their journeys with peace of mind.
Innovations on durability
Nokian Tyres Aramid Sidewall Technology
The sidewall compound that is exceptionally durable and puncture-resistant contains extremely strong aramid fibres. The same material is utilized by the aerospace and defence industries. The aramid fibre strengthens the sidewall rubber to withstand external impacts and pressing against the wheel flange.
Aramid Tough Shield
Puncture-resistant Aramid fibers are embedded beneath the tread and throughout the sidewalls to provide extreme resistance to potholes, road hazards, rough terrain and off-road obstacles.
Safe driving on rainy days
Water on the roads is a common sight all through the year. Luckily we have a solution for every weather.
Innovations on rainy weather
Nokian Tyres Coanda Technology
When moving fluid, such as water, meets a curved surface, it will try to follow that surface. A phenomenon also known as the Coanda effect means water can be directed to follow the curve of the surface rather than flowing in a straight line. The Nokian Tyres Coanda Technology is designed to accelerate the removal of water by guiding and moving the water flow away from the tire and effectively preventing dangerous aquaplaning.
Aqua Sense compound
Added safety for rainy weather. An upgraded new mix for Central European roads offering excellent wet grip and lower energy costs.
Enjoy the silence
With the rise of EVs, silence has become an important aspect of tire innovation.
SilentDrive™ Technology
We have paid special attention to sound wave insulation, pushing driving comfort to the max. As the tire rolls on the road, it makes an impact on the road surface. This impact causes disturbing noise peaks, which the SilentDrive™ Technology efficiently absorbs. This results in lower interior noise, and makes the journey more comfortable and less exhausting for the driver.
Electric Fit™ symbol
Electric Fit™ means your electric car is equipped with tires that are seamlessly compatible for high-quality driving on electric cars. The Electric Fit™ symbol tells you that you can be confident in your tire’s safe, lasting performance in all conditions.
Sustainable and lightly rolling
We innovate continuously to improve the rolling resistance of our tires and to increase the share of renewable and recycled materials.
Hakka Green Sense Concept
The unique Hakka Green Sense concept consists of the Triple Zone tread model innovations and the Hakka Green Hybrid rubber compound, especially developed for the demanding Northern summer weather.
Nokian Hakka Green Hybrid rubber compound
The functional full silica compound adapts to changes in temperature, resulting in excellent wet grip during the spring and fall. The 100 percent bio-based resin combined with the polymers of the eco-friendly rubber compound boosts light rolling, creating an extremely flexible end product that can tolerate rough roads very well.