Nokian Tires has started building a new test and technology center in Spain. The groundbreaking ceremony took place this Friday at the new center in Santa Cruz de la Zarza. The first test sites will be completed next year and the technology center is expected to be fully operational in 2020.

Nokian Tires currently operates in two test centers in Finland - Ivalo and Nokia. The combination of a third test center and a technology center in the warm climate of Spain allows year-round testing of summer, all-season and winter tires. The aim is to develop even safer, more functional and environmentally friendly tyres. The focus is on summer and all-season high-performance tires, as demand is especially strong in Nokian Tires' growing markets in Central Europe and North America.

“We have been planning a new center for a long time in cooperation with local authorities and other partners. It's time to take the next step and start building a technology center that offers various opportunities to accelerate development and expand our product range,” said Hill Korhonen, President and CEO of Nokian Tires.

State-of-the-art tire testing technology

More than ten different test tracks with the latest test technologies are spread over a large area of 300 hectares. They will be used to study tire durability and performance. The circumference of the facility itself is a seven-kilometer oval tire testing track at speeds up to 300 km/h. In addition, the tracks allow many of the tests necessary to determine tire quality, such as wet grip tests and noise level tests.

“The state-of-the-art and diverse testing ground of the new Technology Center will be built specifically for the challenging work of developing each Nokian Tires product. The hot weather in Spain gives us the perfect opportunity to test our tires all year round. Comprehensive testing and a deep understanding of our customers' needs ensure that our top-of-the-line tires are state-of-the-art and perform reliably in all conditions,” said Pontus Stenberg, Vice President of Nokian Tires Products and Technologies.

Research project aims to replace natural rubber

The technology center aims to accelerate the sustainable development of products and innovation. Back in 2017, Nokia Tires was involved in the launch of a research project that is looking into the use of the guayule plant for cleaner tire production. The guayule plant can withstand drought and barren conditions and is considered a potential substitute for natural rubber. For local ferrites, an alternative to less cost-effective grain production is possible.

Positive impact on the region

The technology center will have a positive impact on life and employment in the region. The project will employ about 200 people during construction and create 40 new jobs upon completion, and will have a significant indirect impact on employment in the transport and service sectors, as well as in logistics.

Nokian Tires actively builds relationships with local communities by supporting local events, sports clubs and selected charitable projects. Among the main activities are activities related to the environment. For example, Nokian Tires will be involved in a joint tree planting project as well as initiatives to support bird nesting.

Emiliano Garcia-Page, President of Castilla-La Mancha, and Patricia Franco, Minister of Economic Development and Employment, thanked for the investment and long-term cooperation that will open up new opportunities for the region.

“Nokian Tires' investment in Castile-La Mancha is also an important project for us as it creates new jobs and growth opportunities in the region. We believe this will have a positive impact on local businesses here in the heart of Spain,” said Castile-La Mancha President Emiliano Garcia-Page.