In a remarkable display of environmental stewardship, Nokian Tyres has announced a significant milestone, achieving a key climate target seven years ahead of its 2030 schedule. This accomplishment not only underscores the company's commitment to sustainability but also establishes it as a leader in the tire industry's fight against climate change.
The Finnish tire manufacturer had set an ambitious goal to reduce its CO2 emissions per production ton by 52% from the levels recorded in 2015. Surpassing expectations, Nokian Tyres has already reduced emissions to less than 200 kilograms per ton of tires produced in 2023, a figure that represents the lowest in the tire manufacturing sector.
In 2015, the direct CO2 emissions from Nokian Tyres' factories stood at 723 kilograms per ton of tires. The recent reduction to below 347 kilograms per ton not only achieves the 2030 target but also propels the company towards an even more ambitious goal of less than 200 kilograms per ton. This rapid progress was highlighted last year when the company's direct CO2 emissions were recorded at 420 kilograms per ton of tires manufactured, significantly lower than the industry average of 700 to 1100 kilograms.
Teppo Huovila, the Vice President of Quality, Sustainability, and Supply operations business development at Nokian Tyres, emphasized the urgency of addressing climate change. He stated, "Our factory greenhouse gas emissions are at an industry-leading level, but we aim to cut the emissions to zero as soon as technically possible." Huovila's vision is not just for Nokian Tyres but for the entire industry, as the company's strides in sustainability could set new benchmarks for others to follow.
Nokian Tyres' journey towards net-zero greenhouse gas emissions is multifaceted. Apart from manufacturing emissions, the company is also focusing on reducing emissions during tire use. By improving the rolling resistance of tires, Nokian Tyres has managed to lower fuel or energy consumption for vehicles, achieving an 8.5% reduction in rolling resistance on average between 2013 and 2022. This improvement is equivalent to the exhaust fumes of 65,000 cars annually.
The company's success in reducing CO2 emissions is largely attributed to its strategic energy use. A significant portion of the energy used in Nokian Tyres' factories comes from zero-CO2-emission sources. Additionally, the company has made strides in energy efficiency by investing in new machinery, heat recovery solutions, and LED lighting upgrades.
Looking ahead, Nokian Tyres is not resting on its laurels. The company is in the process of revising its science-based climate targets to be even more stringent, with the ultimate aim of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. A testament to this commitment is the construction of a new factory in Oradea, Romania, which is set to become the world's first zero CO2 emission tire factory.
Nokian Tyres' early achievement of its climate target is a beacon of progress in the industry, demonstrating that ambitious environmental goals are not only necessary but achievable. As the company continues to innovate and lead by example, it paves the way for a more sustainable future, not just for itself but for the entire tire industry.
