The Leading Journal for the Tyre Recycling Sector

The Leading Journal for the Tyre Recycling Sector

Birch Bark to Tyres with Nokian Challenge

Fast Race Big Change won by Renewable rubber made from residue birch bark in Nokian Tyres’ sustainability innovation challenge.

Nokian Tyres launched the FAST RACE, BIG CHANGE sustainable tyre innovation challenge last year to find new solutions for more sustainable tyres. The challenge was open to all businesses, students and researchers. Nokian Tyres received almost 50 applications from 18 different countries, and from them, a team of Nokian Tyres experts chose four finalists. At the finals event held in Lapland this January, the jury awarded Reselo AB from Sweden with the winning place. Reselo’s innovative renewable rubber made from residue birch bark convinced the judges with its versatility and future potential. 

Innovations tested with a pitch from a car speeding on an ice-track
The finals event of the FAST RACE, BIG CHANGE innovation challenge was held at Nokian Tyres’ legendary test centre White Hell, situated in Finnish Lapland. The winning innovation was put to the test along with the three other finalists in a heart-racing pitching session from an electric vehicle speeding on an icy tyre test track for one lap. The pitches were streamed lived to a panel of judges, whom the finalists faced after their speedy pitches in the car. In addition to Reselo the other finalists were Microwave Solutions GmbH from Switzerland, Universal Matter Inc. from Canada and a simulation modelling expert from Italy. 

Renewable rubber made from birch bark residue is the winner 

After careful consideration the expert panel of judges chose Reselo’s innovative solution as the winner. Reselo’s renewable rubber utilises birch bark sourced from the residue of the global pulp, paper and plywood industry. According to Reselo, a single mill creates 100,000 tons of birch bark residue on average every year, and the forest industry in Finland and Sweden alone produce enough raw material for 200,000 tons of Reselo’s unique rubber. The biorefinery concept Reselo uses is also designed to minimise the environmental impact of the material.

“We were really impressed with the capabilities and versatility of the material. It was also important for us that the material was produced from the sidestream of other industries. The company and the team itself are highly dedicated. We want to be part of their success story, and we believe that Reselo will be one of the steppingstones towards our own goal of having 50% of the raw materials in our tyres renewable or recycled by 2030”, says Teemu Soini, Head of Innovation & Development from Nokian Tyres.

As the winner of the FAST RACE, BIG CHANGE Reselo received a monetary prize as well as the opportunity to explore a business or development partnership with Nokian Tyres. 

“I am amazed and pleased that we won. The cooperation with Nokian Tyres will be a fantastic opportunity for us. It is a confirmation for our invention and the material itself. Our journey together is just beginning but the early results are promising. We hope that our renewable rubber can one day be part of a Nokian Tyres tyre”, says Henrik Otendal, CEO and one of the founders of Reselo. 


The finals event of the FAST RACE, BIG CHANGE innovation challenge was held at Nokian Tyres’ legendary test centre White Hell, situated in Finnish Lapland. The winning innovation was put to the test along with the three other finalists in a heart-racing pitching session from an electric vehicle speeding on an icy tyre test track for one lap. The pitches were streamed lived to a panel of judges, whom the finalists faced after their speedy pitches in the car. In addition to Reselo the other finalists were Microwave Solutions GmbH from Switzerland, Universal Matter Inc. from Canada and a simulation modelling expert from Italy. 

After careful consideration the expert panel of judges chose Reselo’s innovative solution as the winner. Reselo’s renewable rubber utilises birch bark sourced from the residue of the global pulp, paper and plywood industry. According to Reselo, a single mill creates 100,000 tons of birch bark residue on average every year, and the forest industry in Finland and Sweden alone produce enough raw material for 200,000 tons of Reselo’s unique rubber. The biorefinery concept Reselo uses is also designed to minimise the environmental impact of the material.

“We were really impressed with the capabilities and versatility of the material. It was also important for us that the material was produced from the sidestream of other industries. The company and the team itself are highly dedicated. We want to be part of their success story, and we believe that Reselo will be one of the steppingstones towards our own goal of having 50% of the raw materials in our tyres renewable or recycled by 2030”, says Teemu Soini, Head of Innovation & Development from Nokian Tyres.

As the winner of the FAST RACE, BIG CHANGE Reselo received a monetary prize as well as the opportunity to explore a business or development partnership with Nokian Tyres. 

“I am amazed and pleased that we won. The cooperation with Nokian Tyres will be a fantastic opportunity for us. It is a confirmation for our invention and the material itself. Our journey together is just beginning but the early results are promising. We hope that our renewable rubber can one day be part of a Nokian Tyres tyre”, says Henrik Otendal, CEO and one of the founders of Reselo.