Romanian Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan met with Paolo Pompei, President and CEO of Nokian Tyres, to review the progress of the company’s major industrial investment in Oradea—the world’s first Nokian facility designed to operate with zero CO₂ emissions. The discussion focused on the status of construction, as well as the timeline for the first payment of the 99.5 million euro state aid approved by the European Commission. The factory is designed for an annual capacity of 6 million tyres and follows a modular structure that allows future expansion based on European demand.
A project with significant economic impact
For the Romanian Government, the investment is more than an industrial development; it is a test of the country’s ability to attract international capital committed to sustainability and advanced manufacturing.
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“This investment confirms Romania’s ability to attract major industrial projects and to be a reliable partner for companies that create added value. We aim for strong and lasting results for the national economy,” said Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan. He emphasized the project’s benefits: stable jobs, higher budget revenues and the growth of the regional economic ecosystem.
Nokian Tyres considers Romania a strategic hub for its European operations. “The support granted by the Romanian state was decisive for the rapid completion of the Oradea factory. We have already created around 500 jobs and started exports to Central and Southern Europe,” said Paolo Pompei. “Romania offers us excellent positioning, strong capabilities and reliable partnerships.”
The meeting also included an assessment of the broader European landscape. Both the Government and Nokian Tyres consider regulatory simplification and reduced administrative pressure essential, especially as energy costs rise and industries transition toward greener processes.
The discussion concluded with a renewed commitment to expand the Oradea project and turn it into a benchmark for public–private cooperation focused on performance, sustainability and European industrial competitiveness.
Photo: Economica
