How are tires made: The tire manufacturing process

Tire manufacturing involves using the right materials and processes that result in safe, economical and environmentally friendly tire products. The whole process results from exhaustive research, product development, testing and years of tire expertise. Read more about how tires are made at Nokian Tyres.

Raw materials and rubber compounds

The main raw materials of a tire are natural rubber, synthetic rubber, carbon black and oil. The share of rubber compounds in the total weight of a tire is more than 80%. The rest consists of various kinds of reinforcing materials.

Natural rubber

Approximately half of the rubber is natural rubber from a rubber tree. Rubber trees are grown in the tropics in countries like Malaysia and Indonesia. The consistency of the rubber compounds' consistency in different parts of a tire varies. The rubber compound’s consistency also varies depending on the intended use and model of the tire. For example, the rubber compound used in a summer tire for a passenger car is different from that of a winter tire.

Synthetic rubber and filler substances

Most of the synthetic, oil-based rubbers come from European manufacturers. Approximately one-third of the compound consists of filler substances. The most important of these is carbon black, which makes the tires black in color. Another important filler is oil, used as a plasticiser in the compound. Furthermore, hardening or vulcanising agents, various booster chemicals and protective agents are used in the rubber compounds.

Nokian Tyres One
Nokian Tyres One HT all season tire for light trucks and SUVs.

Mixing

In the mixing stage of tire manufacturing, the raw materials are mixed together and heated at a temperature of approximately 250 degrees Fahrenheit (120 degrees Celsius).

Developing and adjusting the recipes is an important part of the tire development work. Both the raw materials used in the mix and their amounts in relation to other materials are crucial for establishing the desired characteristics of a tire. For example, a winter tire must perform in cold winter driving conditions below 45 degrees Fahrenheit (7 degrees Celsius).

Component manufacturing

The compounds are used in rubberising various components, such as cables, textiles or steel belts. The tire manufacturing process consists of putting together 10–30 different different components that make up the tire. Most of the components are various kinds of reinforcements.

Dayton Factory production

Assembling a green tire

Tire makers assemble the components into green tires using a tire-building machine. A green tire, or an uncured tire, is still missing its treads, which provide traction for safer driving.

When the components have been drawn onto the belt drum of an assembly machine and the frame of a tire has been set on the bulkheads of the stretching machine, the machine’s loading wheel transfers the unity formed by the surface and the belt onto the frame.

The frame is then pressurized and stretched to fuse with the above-mentioned unity. This is how a green tire is manufactured.

Vulcanising and curing a tread pattern

Green tires are vulcanized in curing presses. The high steam pressure conducted into the curing pad inside the curing press presses the elastic green tire against the tread pattern. In addition to the tire tread pattern, the green tire is engraved with the sidewall lettering, giving the tire its final appearance.

Nokian Tyres Remedy WRG5 sidewall lettering
Example of Nokian Tyres Remedy WRG5 sidewall lettering.

Inspection

Each passenger car tire is inspected both visually and by a machine. Attention is paid to any faults and defects with the tire's appearance in the visual inspection. The machine measures the pattern as well as radial throw and lateral force variation of the tire. After inspection, the tire is tested, labeled and transferred to the warehouse for delivery.

Nokian Tyres factory worker inspecting a tire at our North American Factory

Environmentally friendly tire manufacturing

The tire manufacturing process involves finding materials and production methods that are safe for the environment and human health without compromising road safety. To ensure the smallest negative environmental effect possible, Nokian Tyres selects raw materials to identify the least harmful options.

Nokian Tyres was the first tire manufacturer to receive the ISO 14001 environmental certification. Our tires have low rolling resistance and are free of harmful high-aromatic oils, reducing their environmental impact.

As to the impact of tire materials on human health, raw materials, such as natural and synthetic rubber, as well as cords, soot, and various chemicals, are safe.

Where are Nokian Tyres products made?

Nokian Tyres has invested in serving its customers in the United States and Canada by building a $360 million tire factory in Dayton, Tennessee, USA. At our Dayton tire manufacturing facility, Nokian Tyres produces all season tires, all terrain tires and all weather tires designed for North American roads and weather conditions. Nokian Tyres' winter tires are manufactured at our factory in Nokia, Finland.

Combining forward-thinking domestic tire manufacturing with sustainable Scandinavian values has earned our Dayton manufacturing facility the distinction of becoming the first tire factory in the world to receive LEED v4 Silver certification. On top of that, the administration building at Nokian Tyres’ Dayton tire factory earned the LEED v4 Gold certification in 2021. Nokian Tyres operates one of the most eco-friendly tire factories in the world in Southeast Tennessee. 

More information on Nokian Tyres' products:

Find a Nokian Tyres dealer near you