Nokian Tyres is mixing pine resin and canola oil into the rubber formula for its new Hakkapeliitta 01 winter tire, part of a broader push to reduce petroleum dependence in tire manufacturing.
The tread compound combines bio-resin and plant-derived oils with natural rubber. Canola oil helps improve durability and ice grip, while pine-based materials add similar performance qualities. The company hasn’t specified exactly how much of the compound comes from renewable sources versus conventional materials.
Beyond the bio-based ingredients, the tire includes adaptive studs that respond to temperature shifts. When it’s cold, the studs extend for better grip on ice. In milder weather, they retract to minimize road damage. Nokian first floated this idea in 2014 and spent the next decade testing prototypes at facilities in Finland and Spain.
The changes appear to deliver results. Road wear drops by up to 30% compared to the previous model, and grip performance on ice and wet surfaces improves as well.
Development manager Mikko Liukkula said the goal was avoiding the usual compromise between grip and road impact. Winter weather has become less predictable, and regulations around tire-related road wear are tightening in some markets.
The Hakkapeliitta 01 will hit stores in Nordic countries and North America this fall. Nokian will manufacture it at its Nokia, Finland factory. The tire is aimed at passenger cars, crossovers, and SUVs.
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