Reducing our emissions and improving energy efficiency

We reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with our science-based targets that have been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative. We calculate our tire production’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from raw material purchasing to the disposal of the product in compliance with the ISO 14064 standard and GHG protocol. We generate part of the energy needed in our own power stations, excluding the factory in Finland. Therefore, the Finnish factory’s direct GHG emissions are below those of the other factories.

In 2023, our location-based scope 2 emissions from tire production were approximately 24,940 tons CO2 eq. Market-based scope 2 emissions were approximately 6,267 tons CO2 eq.

Direct greenhouse gas emissions, scope 1, t CO₂ eq

Indirect greenhouse gas emissions, market based, scope 2, t CO₂ eq

Greenhouse gas emissions intensity ratio, scope 1 + scope 2, t CO₂ / production t

Solvents or volatile organic compounds (VOCs) form Nokian Tyres’ most significant emissions into air at the factory in Finland. As the legislation concerning VOC emissions is country-specific, the calculation and reporting of VOC emissions varies by country. 

In Finland, the VOC emissions are calculated according to the EU’s VOC directive, which is based on the used solvents. At Nokian Tyres, no solvents are used in passenger car tire manufacturing, but only in the production of heavy tires (also known as industrial tires). The VOCs from the assembly of heavy tires are collected and conveyed to a catalytic incineration plant. However, collecting the solvent emissions from the production of heavy tires poses a challenge, because it is not possible to seal the emission sources in such a way that all the emissions could be collected and conveyed for incineration.

We aim to comply with the total emission limit set in the environmental permit, which is 60 percent of the solvents used in the factory in Finland. However, in 2023 the total solvent emissions were 81 percent of used solvents. 

In the spring 2022 we started discussions with environmental authorities related to the VOC emissions requirement in the environmental permit. The key topic in the conversations was the environmental effects of the VOC emissions. As a result, in the fall 2022 a spread modelling of the VOC emissions was conducted to estimate the impacts of the VOCs in the nearby surroundings of the factory in Finland. According to the modelling, the VOC concentrations and environmental effects are minor. Furthermore, absolute solvent use has decreased over 40 percent compared to 2018. We submitted an application for updating the environmental permit to authorities during 2023. 

The VOC emissions from other locations are calculated according to the local legislation based on the amount of raw materials used.

VOC emissions, t

Particle emissions are caused by the processing of powdery chemicals in our compound mixing department. The mixing equipment is fitted with effective ventilation and dustcollection devices, and the best separation rates achieved by water cleaners exceed 99%. We measure particle emissions with particle concentration and differential pressure gauges. In addition, outside experts carry out regular concentration measurements.

The measured particle concentrations have complied with the permit limits at both of our factories. The dust that passes through the filter system mainly causes an aesthetic inconvenience and poses no harm to the environment or health.

An independent company measures the nitrogen and sulfur emissions from our own energy production plants. Our nitrogen and sulfur emissions are below the set emission limits.

You can see our NOx and SOx emissions from our Sustainability Report.

According to surveys that we have commissioned, odor emissions are momentary. The mastication process for softening natural rubber causes discharges of compounds during the precipitation and dehydration phases of rubber milk that results in an unpleasant odor in the near surroundings. We use droplet separators for reducing the odors from mastication. We have also managed to lower the number of separate mastication processes, thereby reducing the related odors.

Our factories have introduced new odor control equipment that represents the best available technology (BAT). We have also managed to lower the number of separate mastication processes, thereby reducing the related odors.

Some odors are generated during the tire curing process. The quantity of the curing fumes released in the process is directly proportional to the amount of cured rubber. The concentrations of individual substances in the fumes are very small.

Our production facilities have noise limits subject to their environmental permits. We regularly track and measure noise emissions. According to the measurements, we are below the noise limits.