Apollo Tyres has opened a tyre testing centre in Finland
In the global tire industry, Finnish Ivalo is a recognized center for testing products in winter conditions, and its development in this area continues: quite recently, the Korean Nexen began operating its own test center in this small town beyond the Arctic Circle, and on February 24, the Indian Apollo Tyres announced the official opening of a similar complex.
The creation of the Apollo test center in Finland was announced several months ago, and it has already started operating in December last year, and its official opening, as the company says, is an important part of the strategy aimed at supplying high-performance winter and all-season tires to customers around the world.
The new center was built as part of a long-term partnership with UTAC, and tires will be tested on ice and snow tracks designed to simulate a wide range of conditions. Measuring equipment will be used to collect accurate data during tests on braking properties, handling, traction, and stability, and infrastructure has also been created for a comprehensive assessment of tire characteristics.
Apollo notes that they have now gained full autonomy in conducting snow and ice tests, which will simplify the planning process, accelerate the development of new products, and create an opportunity to test tires in optimal and diverse conditions. The center was designed in accordance with all current technical requirements, as well as with future regulations in mind, and the infrastructure was created in such a way that the company will be able to adapt to changes in testing methods and certification standards.
"This is not just the commissioning of a new test center, it is a confirmation of Apollo Tyres' commitment to innovation and ensuring the highest level of safety and product quality," said Niraj Kanwar, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Apollo. "With these investments, we will expand our capabilities in developing tires that work reliably in difficult winter conditions and, thanks to their versatility, are exceptionally effective throughout the year."
Benoit Rivallant, Commercial Director of Apollo, called the new complex "an extremely important asset for the company". "It's more than just a tire testing ground, as we also get the opportunity to invite customers who can participate in tests and personally verify the quality of our products. This will allow them to better understand the development process and characteristics of our tires," he noted.
Apollo's Technical Director, Daniele Lorenzetti, added that obtaining high-precision data in real conditions will allow the company to bring new products to market faster and, "most importantly, will expand our capabilities for continuous improvement of tire characteristics, efficiency, and environmental friendliness".