Nokian Tyres has officially opened its state-of-the-art passenger car tyre factory in Oradea, Romania, marking a major milestone as the world’s first zero CO2 emission tyre manufacturing facility. The project, which took two years to complete, is now set to begin commercial production in early 2025.
“We are thrilled to inaugurate our Oradea factory today. This new facility will enhance our ability to serve customers in Central Europe and beyond while supporting our growth strategy towards achieving net sales of €2 billion. With this full-scale, zero CO2 emission tyre factory, we are poised to lead the industry and set a new benchmark for sustainable tyre manufacturing,” said Jukka Moisio, President and CEO of Nokian Tyres.
Adrian Kaczmarczyk, SVP of Operational Excellence, emphasized the company’s commitment to innovation: “This factory once again establishes Nokian Tyres as a trailblazer in the tyre industry. All electricity used at our Oradea facility is free of CO2 emissions, with part of it being generated by on-site solar power units. The steam used in the tyre curing process is produced by advanced electric boilers powered by clean electricity, replacing the traditional use of fossil fuels like coal or gas. We are also leveraging the latest technology to ensure maximum energy efficiency in the manufacturing process. Our new Oradea plant truly reflects our dedication to sustainability.”
The factory produced its first tyre in July 2024 and is gearing up to reach an annual capacity of 6 million tyres, with the possibility of future expansion. The focus will be on passenger car tyres for the Central European market, thanks to the factory’s strategic location near key customers.
Covering an area of approximately 54 hectares, the Oradea site includes a production facility, distribution centre, as well as mixing, utility, and administrative buildings. The total built-up area spans about 100,000 sqm.
Nokian Tyres selected Oradea in northwestern Romania after a comprehensive evaluation process that included over 40 potential sites across Europe. Key factors in the decision were the availability of skilled talent, a favourable business environment, robust infrastructure, and competitive operational costs.
“Our work over the past few years has been focused on bringing us closer to our customers and laying a strong foundation for future sustainable growth. Oradea is now home to us, and we are committed to being a good neighbour by supporting the local community, regional economy, and every member of our team,” said Susanna Tusa, General Director and Vice President of Nokian Tyres Romania.
The total investment in the project amounts to approximately €650 million, positioning Nokian Tyres as one of the largest foreign investors in Romania in recent years. The company will receive financial support in the form of a €100 million state aid package from the Romanian government and a €150 million investment loan from the European Investment Bank to fund this groundbreaking venture.