NEXEN TIRE announced on the 9th that it has established a winter tire testing center at the UTAC test track located in Ivalo, Finland, the largest automotive testing facility in Europe. The company plans to strengthen testing and research and development (R&D) for winter tires, which must validate performance in extreme climatic conditions.
The company explained that the role of the testing center is crucial because winter tires must meet demanding technical requirements. They must provide stable performance on roads with up to eight times more slippery snow and ice, and overcoming the rubber characteristics that become hard in low temperatures requires special rubber and custom pattern design.
Having used the UTAC test facility in Ivalo, Finland, through short-term contracts, NEXEN TIRE can now secure a stable tire testing period throughout the winter with the construction of this dedicated testing center. The existing testing period for winter tires, which was about one month, has also been extended to a maximum of four months.
The new dedicated testing center will consist of research and development offices and workshops, along with a track for snow and ice that is 20 times the length of a soccer field. The UTAC test facility, which will house the testing center, will be responsible for its construction and operation, with full operations set to commence in December of this year.
A NEXEN TIRE official noted, "As winter tire standards are being strengthened primarily in Europe, this investment is an important step to secure our technological competitiveness," adding, "By establishing the testing center, we aim to shorten the development period and enhance winter tire performance through core technology research, thus solidifying our position in the European market, which accounts for about 40% of our sales."