NEXEN TIRE has announced the establishment of a dedicated winter tyre testing centre in Ivalo, Finland, marking a strategic step forward in its efforts to strengthen tyre performance verification and research in extreme winter conditions.
Located at the UTAC proving ground – Europe’s largest testing site – the new facility is situated 300km north of the Arctic Circle, providing consistent icy and snowy conditions ideal for testing. The site spans a space equivalent to 20 football fields and features specialised snow and ice tracks, workshops, and research offices.
This dedicated test centre enables NEXEN to significantly extend its winter tyre development window from just one month to as much as four months. The expansion aims to address the challenge of limited access to test tracks during the busy season, which had previously required short-term contracts with UTAC.
“With winter tyre standards continuing to strengthen, this investment is a crucial step to secure our technological competitiveness,” said Travis Kang, Global CEO of NEXEN TIRE. “The testing centre will not only reduce our development periods but also enhance the performance of our winter tyres through core technology research, reinforcing our presence in key markets while laying the groundwork for future growth in global markets.”
The centre will also support NEXEN’s efforts to meet European regulatory requirements, including certification for the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) symbol, which identifies tyres meeting official winter performance criteria.
Connor McCormack, CEO of UTAC, welcomed the development: “We are delighted to welcome NEXEN TIRE to have their own establishment at our Finnish proving ground. We have a long-lasting partnership now and we are proud to support the development work of NEXEN TIRE and their participation to leading mobility towards a safer future.”
The move reflects a broader strategy by NEXEN to elevate its winter product capabilities globally. The company already operates winter testing centres in Taebaek, South Korea, and Wanaka, New Zealand, ensuring year-round access to cold-weather test conditions.
NEXEN TIRE is also integrating digital tools into its development process. Last year, it became the first domestic tyre company in South Korea to introduce a High Dynamic Driving Simulator, which allows engineers to virtually model material and tread combinations before validating them on the track. The aim is to close the performance gap between simulation and real-world use.
The Finnish centre is scheduled to be fully operational by December 2025. UTAC will oversee construction and management of the facility.
■ Where is NEXEN TIRE’s new winter tyre testing facility located?
The new test centre is located in Ivalo, Finland, at the UTAC proving ground. Situated 300 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle, the region provides ideal conditions for extreme winter tyre testing on snow and ice.
■ What is the purpose of NEXEN’s winter tyre testing centre in Finland?
The facility will allow NEXEN TIRE to carry out extended winter performance testing and tyre development in Arctic conditions. It aims to improve product performance, reduce development cycles, and secure 3PMSF certification required in the European market.
■ Why did NEXEN TIRE choose the UTAC proving ground for winter tyre development?
UTAC is one of Europe’s largest and most advanced automotive test centres. NEXEN has previously used the site through short-term contracts, but growing demand led to the decision to establish a permanent winter testing base in Finland.
■ What facilities will the NEXEN winter tyre centre include?
The site will feature snow and ice test tracks, R&D offices, and workshops. The total test area spans the size of 20 football fields (around 2,000 metres), allowing for comprehensive tyre performance evaluations.
■ How does this centre improve NEXEN’s winter tyre testing capabilities?
It expands the available test period from one month to up to four months per season. With a dedicated base in Finland, NEXEN can carry out more consistent and reliable winter tyre testing for improved product outcomes.
■ What is the 3PMSF certification and how is NEXEN TIRE addressing it?
The Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) symbol is the standard marking for winter tyres approved for severe snow conditions in Europe. The Finnish test centre will help NEXEN meet this standard across its product range.
■ When will NEXEN’s Finland winter tyre testing centre be operational?
The new facility, built in partnership with UTAC, is expected to be fully operational by December 2025.
■ How does this fit into NEXEN’s global winter tyre testing strategy?
Alongside its new Arctic base in Finland, NEXEN TIRE also operates winter test facilities in Taebaek, South Korea, and Wanaka, New Zealand. This global approach allows year-round development and testing of winter tyres in a variety of cold-weather conditions.
■ What technologies support NEXEN’s tyre development process?
NEXEN uses its High Dynamic Driving Simulator – the first in South Korea’s tyre sector – to model tread patterns and compound blends in virtual environments. Findings from this simulation are tested and verified on physical tracks, including the new Arctic site.
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