Black Donuts company advances bio-fillers for tires

Helsinki, Finland – Nemus Materials, part of tire consulting group Black Donuts, is advancing plans to scale up production of bio-based fillers for tires, with a proposed plant in Kotka, in southern Finland.

The company is conducting preliminary development work on a production facility in the Mussalo industrial area, said Black Donuts 1 April.

The project centres on Nemus: a “new functional biomaterial” designed to replace fossil-based inputs such as carbon black to reduce the carbon footprint of tires.

According to Black Donuts, the material is produced from 80–87% natural rubber and 13–20% microfibrillated cellulose (MFC), and is designed to reduce reliance on fossil-based reinforcing agents while maintaining “tire-grade performance.”

Nemus is developing the material to “work within current manufacturing processes rather than requiring major changes to equipment or factory layouts.”

This practical approach is “essential” if new materials are to move beyond small-scale trials, Black Donuts said.

The Mussalo site was selected due to “supporting infrastructure available in the region,” said Black Donuts adding that it had signed a preliminary land lease agreement with the city of Kotka to move the project into detailed planning and permitting.

Nemus will be responsible for project development and permitting, once a final investment decision is made.