Nokian Tyres has claimed top honours in the 2025 New Wood competition with its Green Step Ligna concept tyre, developed in collaboration with UPM. The jury of experts recognised the innovation's potential to revolutionise the entire automotive industry through its use of wood-based materials.
The New Wood competition seeks out pioneering wood-based bioeconomy products and solutions that address global challenges. This year's competition attracted entries from companies developing innovative approaches to sustainable development, with a nine-member jury evaluating each submission based on societal significance, ability to respond to global challenges, and alignment with Sustainable Development Goals.
To claim victory, entries were also required to demonstrate international market potential whilst utilising wood in an innovative manner.
The jury praised the Green Step Ligna concept tyre as a tangible advancement in sustainable transport and materials industry development. They highlighted how the innovation could serve as a benchmark for other industry players seeking to balance performance with ecological responsibility.
"Sometimes the most powerful innovations don't alter the product itself, but the materials behind it—transforming it into something truly sustainable," commented Pauli Aalto-Setälä, a jury member of the New Wood 2025 competition.
Martta Fredrikson, Chair of the New Wood competition jury, noted a significant trend amongst this year's entries: "This year, the utilisation of industrial side streams was particularly highlighted in the New Wood competition. The lignin-based tyre material that won the competition and the second-placed wood fibre insulation are excellent examples of this."
The breakthrough lies in the tyre's composition. Fillers typically comprise approximately one-third of a tyre's mass and play a crucial role in determining durability and performance. In the Green Step Ligna concept tyre's sidewall, Nokian Tyres has replaced traditional fossil raw materials with lignin-based UPM BioMotion™ filler.
Lignin is a natural compound present in wood, produced as a by-product during pulp production. By incorporating this renewable material, the Green Step Ligna concept tyre demonstrates the viability of wood-based raw materials in tyre manufacturing and represents a significant leap forward in the adoption of renewable materials across the entire tyre industry.
The collaboration between Nokian Tyres and UPM showcases how industrial side streams can be transformed into high-performance materials, potentially setting a new standard for sustainable tyre production worldwide.
Tagged with: Nokian Tyres, UPM BioMotion, lignin filler, carbon black alternative, sustainable tyres, bioeconomy, tyre manufacturing, renewable materials, New Wood competition, tyre sidewall, automotive sustainability
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