Apollo Tyres Ltd has formally inaugurated its state-of-the-art outdoor tyre testing facility in Ivalo, Finland, marking a significant milestone in the company’s ongoing commitment to advancing tyre performance, safety and innovation. The establishment of the facility was announced earlier this year and became fully operational in December 2025.
Designed to enhance the development of high-performance winter and all-season tyres for global markets, the new testing centre reflects Apollo Tyres’ long-term focus on engineering excellence and customer-centric product innovation.
Developed under a long-term agreement with UTAC, a globally recognised automotive testing and certification group, the facility represents a strategic investment in advanced validation capabilities aimed at strengthening tyre safety and performance standards.
The inauguration ceremony was led by Vice Chairman and Managing Director Neeraj Kanwar, Chief Commercial Officer Benoit Rivallant and Chief Technology Officer Daniele Lorenzetti, underscoring the company’s continued focus on precision engineering and next-generation mobility solutions.
A New Standard in Winter Testing
Purpose-built to meet the rigorous demands of modern tyre development, the outdoor testing facility features:
- Dedicated snow and ice tracks designed to replicate a wide range of real-world winter driving conditions
- Advanced measurement systems enabling precise data collection for braking, handling, traction and stability
- Tailored infrastructure optimised for comprehensive tyre performance evaluation
With full autonomy over winter testing operations, Apollo Tyres now benefits from complete flexibility throughout the entire winter season. This independence ensures consistent scheduling, accelerated development cycles, and the ability to test under optimal and varied climatic conditions.
Enhanced Capabilities, Greater Efficiency
By centralising and upgrading its outdoor winter testing operations, Apollo Tyres significantly improves both efficiency and cost-effectiveness. The facility allows engineering teams to conduct continuous testing without external constraints, resulting in:
- Faster product validation timelines
- Increased repeatability and accuracy of results
- Reduced logistical complexity
- Improved resource utilisation
These enhancements directly contribute to delivering superior winter and all-season tyres that meet the highest standards of safety, durability and performance.
Future-ready and Fully Compliant
The facility has been developed to comply with all current technical and legal requirements, while also anticipating future regulatory standards. Its infrastructure and systems are designed to adapt to evolving testing methodologies and certification frameworks, ensuring Apollo Tyres remains fully aligned with global industry regulations.
Commitment to Performance and Safety
“This inauguration is more than the opening of a facility, it is a clear demonstration of Apollo Tyres’ commitment to innovation, safety and performance excellence,” said Neeraj Kanwar, Vice Chairman and MD, Apollo Tyres Ltd. “With this investment, we are strengthening our ability to develop tyres that perform reliably in the most demanding winter conditions while maintaining exceptional year-round versatility.”
“This facility is a great asset within Apollo Tyres,” said Benoit Rivallant, Chief Commercial Officer, Apollo Tyres Ltd. “It is more than a tyre test facility, as it gives us also the possibility to invite our customers to be part of, and experience winter testing for themselves. This will strengthen their insights in tyre development and performance.”
Daniele Lorenzetti, Chief Technology Officer, Apollo Tyres Ltd said, “The launch of our dedicated outdoor tyre testing facility is a major step forward for our R&D capabilities. It gives us highly consistent, real-world data, enabling faster validation and quicker speed to market. Most importantly, it strengthens our ability to continuously improve tyre performance, safety and sustainability — delivering better products to our customers, faster.”
As winter mobility standards continue to rise, Apollo Tyres’ new outdoor tyre testing facility ensures the company remains fully equipped to meet the expectations of customers, partners and regulators, today and in the future.
