Nokian Tyres’ factory in Nokia, Finland continues focus on improving productivity, reducing mishaps and enhancing waste reduction. 

The company says at it is refining its tyre production piece by piece to peak performance. Last year, productivity and efficiency reached record levels while the amount of waste decreased significantly. 

At the heart of smooth work and efficient operation is safety, which has been a key focus area at the factory for years. Although there was a slight dip in safety in 2023, the overall progress has been enormous over the long term.

“In the car tyre production, we have managed to reduce accidents at the factory by as much as 65 percent over the past three years. In heavy tyres, we have already gone well over a year without accidents,” said Manu Salmi, EVP, heavy tyres and Nokia Factory.

“Our goal is to eliminate even minor accidents, identify the factors leading to them, and engage everyone in safety work, for example, by making safety observations. This year, our goal is for each of us to make five safety observations throughout the year,” he added.

Furthermore, the company says the production of car tyres grew by 150 percent in 2020–2023. In kilograms terms, this translates to a growth of over 200 percent. 

“We are now close to the highest volume ever produced at the Nokia factory.”

The production of heavy tyres also set a productivity record last year for the company, and its capacity has been gradually increased and will continue to grow.

“Our process management is at a very high level. The more efficient the production process, the greater share of materials can be utilised and the less waste is generated. In this respect too, we achieved an all-time record last year by significantly reducing production waste. Less than 3.5 percent of production of car tyres ended up as waste at the Nokia factory, marking a 35 percent improvement during the last three years. In heavy tyres, approximately 2 percent of production ended up as waste, which was an all-time record as well,” Manu explained.

The company says the role of the Nokia factory in Nokia Tyres’ manufacturing network is to develop and manufacture tyres for the Nordic countries, as well as to support North America and partly also Central Europe. The factory is a centre of expertise in winter tyre technology, and one of its special areas of expertise is studding technology.

“Last year, we studded a record number of car tyres. With timely investments and increased automation, we have been able to improve efficiency and increase production volumes, and thus meet the demand for studded tyres.”

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The University of Akron (UA) has reclaimed its position as the world’s top-ranked institution for polymer science and plastics engineering programme, according to EduRank.org. After briefly falling behind Japan’s Kyoto University and the University of Tokyo in recent years – though remaining the highest-ranked US programme – UA now leads globally.

This year, UA surpassed prestigious institutions such as MIT, Harvard, the University of Manchester and Germany’s Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg in the rankings, which evaluated over 1,000 programmes worldwide. UA’s School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering (SPSPE) offers advanced master’s and doctoral degrees, supported by faculty with more than 300 issued and pending patents. The achievement underscores UA’s continued leadership in polymer research and innovation.

Craig Menzemer, dean of the College of Engineering and Polymer Science, said, "This ranking reaffirms the global reputation of our faculty and programmes. Our sustained leadership in polymer science is built on decades of innovation, excellence in research and close ties with industry. We’re proud to be the destination for students and partners around the world who want to advance the field.”

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Tyrewise, New Zealand’s regulated product stewardship scheme for end-of-life tyres, is inviting innovators, investors and change-makers to submit their best ideas to develop the market for recycled rubber. With substantial funding now available, this initiative aims to transform worn-out tyres into valuable products while driving economic growth.

The first grant funding round is now open for expressions of interest, running from 1 July to 29 July 2025. A total of USD 7 million will be distributed across three rounds within the financial year. Tyrewise has ambitious targets: recycling 80 percent of end-of-life tyres into new products by its fourth year and over 90 percent by its sixth year.

Eligible applicants include registered NZ businesses, research institutes and universities, preferably with at least 12 months of operation. Strong environmental, safety and financial performance will also be key considerations. This is a unique opportunity to advance sustainable innovation in tyre recycling.

Mark Gilbert, Chair of Auto Stewardship New Zealand that governs the Tyrewise scheme, said, “Tyrewise works with the whole industry to ensure tyres are collected for recycling or repurposing. The scheme is achieving a high collection rate and is now focussing on developing high-value, best use recycling and repurposing solutions for the tyres. To enable this goal, Tyrewise is providing contestable funding to help develop end markets for the recycled rubber material from tyres in New Zealand.”

Adele Rose, Tyrewise Scheme Managers, 3R Group, said, “Tyres are a versatile resource that can be turned into many products or used in a number of processes, such as roading, playground surfacing, as a substitute for aggregate or even earthquake-proofing buildings. The market in New Zealand isn’t currently big enough though to take all the recycled rubber from tyres which are collected, so the aim of the fund is to stimulate the development of new products and markets here. The fund is structured into three main ‘streams’ – research and development, emerging markets and community development. This allows funding to back projects across the spectrum of the typical phases of product development. This is a call for expressions of interest. Once we have assessed them, we will ask for a more formal, detailed application. Kiwis are innovators by nature, so we’re excited to see what ideas are out there to create a circular economy for tyres here at home.”

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Vikram Makar, Managing Director, Oriental Rubber Industries and Former President, All India Rubber Industries Association, passed away on 5 July 2025. 

The second-generation entrepreneur was instrumental in expanding Oriental Rubber’s presence not just in India but to over 50 countries globally, including North America, Europe, Australia, Southern Africa and the Middle East. Under his leadership, Oriental Rubber Industries became the leading exporter of conveyor belts from India.

The 62-year-old rubber industry veteran was vocal for India’s rubber MSME sector — passionate, insightful and deeply committed to seeing these small businesses thrive. 

Maker spoke with a rare blend of industry knowledge and empathy, underlining the human side of economic policies. He didn't just highlight the challenges; he offered practical recommendations.

Beyond policy, he exemplified leadership grounded in compassion, seeking systemic change with a sense of urgency and care. Makar’s legacy is one of actionable insight and unwavering belief in the resilience of India’s small enterprises.

Makar will be remembered not just as an expert voice in the rubber industry and finance, but as a thoughtful, empathetic leader.

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Bridgestone India has joined hands with Sagest (Society for Environment and Agricultural Sustainability) to launch the Nutritional Fruit Orchard Project in Sulawad Village, Madhya Pradesh. This women-led project improves nutrition, fosters livelihood possibilities and supports environmental sustainability. With the help of Bridgestone staff and locals, the orchard, which spans four acres, is home to more than 1,300 fruit trees of more than 15 species. It is grown using sustainable practices.

With a 96 percent survival rate in its first year, the project has enabled women to run a nursery with 1,000 saplings and turn garden waste into organic compost and insecticides, encouraging environmentally responsible farming and generating extra revenue. The ladies who are in charge of the orchard will have a reliable source of income once it is completely developed. By assisting households in growing 251 kitchen gardens, the programme also improves nutrition in Sulawad by guaranteeing that locals have access to fresh, homegrown produce. Frequent training sessions have improved environmental consciousness and community ownership.

This unique project demonstrates multi-stakeholder collaboration – Bridgestone and Sagest lead implementation, the local panchayat provided land, women manage daily operations and a nearby government school assists. By combining environmental conservation, rural development and women’s empowerment, the initiative serves as a replicable model for sustainable corporate-community partnerships.

Hiroshi Yoshizane, Managing Director, Bridgestone India, said, “True sustainability goes beyond business – it’s about empowering communities and protecting the planet. This project shows how women-led, community-driven action can create long-term impact on nutrition, livelihoods and the environment. It’s not just about planting trees; it’s about planting hope, resilience and a better future. This initiative beautifully demonstrates how community-driven, women-led environmental action can improve nutrition, generate income and protect the planet – all at the same time.”

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