KEEPING THE PROMISE OF HA-FREE PRODUCTS

Environmental satisfaction is one of the basic values that guide operations at Nokian Tyres. We want to manufacture our products in a manner that minimizes environmental impact. Appreciating the environment and safety are a natural part of the sustainable, safety-oriented product development philosophy chosen by the company. - Nokian Tyres has systematically studied and tested options that would allow us to replace these toxic oils with clean alternatives. Tyre manufacturing without harmful HA-oils requires advanced chemical know-how, says Material Development Engineer Anne Keckman as she describes Nokian Tyres’ patient work for the good of the environment. Nokian Tyres became the first tyre manufacturer in the world to terminate the use of high aromatic oils in all production at the edn of 2004.  - We have fulfilled our promise to consumers to manufacture HA-free products long before approval of the motion concerning the entry into force of the EU directive requiring HA-free products. According to the latest information, the EU directive concerning the manufacture of HA-free tires will enter into force in 2010 at the earliest, states Laboratory Chemist Erik Eskolin.    HA oils The tyre industry has traditionally used high aromatic extracts (HA oils), which are byproducts of the oil industry, in the manufacture of tyre treads. HA oils are classified as toxic if they contain more than 3% polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PCA compounds). HA oils with less than 3% PCA are not classified as toxic. Nokian Tyres replaced high aromatic oils in the manufacturing of Nordic winter tyres in 1999. Passanger car tyre Nokian NRHi, introduced in 2003, marked the start of the HA-free era for Nokian Tyres, and this path continues with the new heavy tyre Nokian Country King trailer tyre.