UPM Biochemicals and Nokian Tyres are set for an industry first with its concept tire partly based on UPM BioMotion(TM) Renewable Functional Fillers (RFF). The partnership will launch UPM's CO2-negative Renewable Functional Fillers1 into a new market segment and highlights the possibilities to use a lighter weight, 100% renewable alternative to traditional CO2-intensive fillers. Functional fillers represent approximately 30% of a tire and consist of materials such as primarily carbon black and precipitated silica.

According to an initial test series by Nokian Tyres, replacing functional fillers with UPM BioMotion(TM) RFF offers great potential for more sustainable tires and therefore is a highly relevant component on the path towards sustainable mobility. Nokian Tyres will be the first tire manufacturer incorporating UPM's Renewable Functional Fillers into their concept tire. UPM's BioMotion(TM) RFF are among several CO2-negative solutions1 set to be produced at UPM's Leuna facility.

The company is investing EUR 1,180 million to build the world's first industrial scale biorefinery in Leuna that will convert sustainably sourced, certified hardwood into next generation biochemicals - enabling the vital shift away from fossil-based to renewable materials across a wide range of industries. The Leuna biorefinery is part of a broader growth area, UPM Biorefining, which is scaling refineries to produce a variety of renewable fuels and chemicals made from sustainable biomass.