The ambassador of Finland in Romania, Mrs. Marjut Akola, said on Thursday, in northwestern Oradea, on the occasion of the inauguration of the works at the Nokian Tyres zero carbon dioxide emission tyre factory, that this investment of 650 million euros is an important message to other Finnish as well as other foreign investors to invest in Romania, write Agerpres.

I would like to congratulate the decision of Nokian Tires for choosing this location, the Oradea factory being an excellent contribution to bilateral commercial relations. This investment from Oradea sends an important message to foreign investors, because Oradea is a favorable business environment and will encourage other Finnish companies to invest in Romania and have more commercial relations with Romania. I am very proud that Nokian Tyres decided to have a big plan and build this tyre factory with zero carbon dioxide emissions, the first in the world. This example should be followed by many companies in Romania. I want to congratulate the management of Nokian Tyres for this visionary decision for the benefit of Romania, Europe and obviously Finland,” said Marjut Akola, in her speech during the inauguration ceremony.

The CEO of the Finnish company, Jukka Moisio, the Romanian prime minister, Nicolae Ciuca, the chairman of the Board of Directors of Nokian Tires – Jukka Hienonen, the ambassador of Finland in Romania, Marjut Akola, the president of CJ Bihor, Ilie Bolojan spoke at the opening ceremony. The event was also attended by other officials: the minister of the Interior, Lucian Bode, the minister of Energy, Virgil Popescu, the minister of Research, Innovation and Digitization, Sebastian Burduja, state secretaries, councilors and representatives of Nokian.

Today we make history! We are committed to being leaders in sustainability, our activity being supported by our culture and values, a very good example being safety at the workplace, at a very high level, said CEO Jukka Moisio.

Moisio also stated that, with the scientific competence of an innovation and research center, recycled materials will be introduced in tyres, considering that an objective provides that by 2030 a percentage of 50% of the raw materials in tyres should be renewable or recycled.

The Nokian factory will be built, starting next week, on the site of the former CET II, on a private land, bought by the company, with an area of about 50 hectares. The 650 million euros will be invested in buildings and equipment.

According to the director of the Oradea Local Development Agency (ADLO), Alina Silaghi, the building permit is issued for 24 months, so that the first „made in Oradea” tyres will reach the market already from the end of 2024. The investment will generate around 500 new jobs, the staff to be trained in the factory.