Apollo Tyres to Open Winter Testing Facility in Finland

14 Aug 2025 CW Team

Apollo Tyres Ltd has announced plans to establish a dedicated outdoor tyre testing facility in Ivalo, Finland, for winter and all-season tyre evaluation. Developed in collaboration with UTAC, a global leader in automotive testing and certification services, the facility is scheduled to be operational by December 2025.

Situated within UTAC’s proving grounds, the site will feature specialised infrastructure and dedicated test tracks replicating real-world snow and ice conditions. The facility will support tyre development and validation across challenging winter and all-season scenarios, enabling the company to optimise performance for both the Apollo and Vredestein brands.

According to Chief Technology Officer Daniele Lorenzetti, the investment will improve testing efficiency, shorten product development timelines, and provide greater control over scheduling. The site will also reduce reliance on shared resources, helping Apollo Tyres accelerate innovation.

The Ivalo facility is designed to meet current and future regulatory and technical standards for winter and all-season tyres, allowing for extended testing periods and faster time-to-market for new products. By centralising testing operations in a controlled, purpose-built environment, Apollo Tyres aims to ensure greater consistency, accuracy, and repeatability of results.

This move aligns with an industry trend towards in-house performance validation, reflecting the need for robust testing amid evolving regulations and shifting climate conditions. Once operational, the facility will support ongoing and future tyre development programmes for Apollo Tyres’ global product lines.

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