Nexen opens winter tyre testing centre in Finland

Nexen Tire has opened a dedicated winter tyre testing centre at the UTAC proving ground in Ivalo, Finland.

With the launch of this testing centre, Nexen Tire says it plans to intensify performance testing and research and development for winter tyres.

The centre will also conduct tests to obtain the 3PMSF (Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake) label, which is the standard certification for winter tyres in Europe.

Nexen Tire had been using the UTAC testing facility in Finland under short-term contracts, but decided to build a dedicated testing centre to ensure stable winter testing throughout the season.

This expansion extends the winter tyre testing period from one month to up to four months. Nexen Tire says it intends to expand its R&D skills by establishing dedicated test tracks.

The new centre is located 300km north from the Arctic Circle, and features research and development offices, workshops, and snow and ice tracks spanning around 2,000m in length.

UTAC will oversee the construction and operation of the centre, which is expected to begin full operations in December 2025.

“As winter tyre standards continue to strengthen, this investment is a crucial step to secure our technological competitiveness,” said Travis Kang, Global CEO of Nexen Tire.

“The testing centre will not only reduce our development periods but also enhance the performance of our winter tyres through core technology research, reinforcing our presence in key markets while laying the groundwork for future growth in global markets.”