Goodyear Creates 70% Sustainable Tire From Soybeans And Other Green Materials
Goodyear, a leader in the tire industry, has successfully produced a demonstration tire made from 70% sustainable materials, progressing more than halfway towards its goal of creating a 100% sustainable tire by 2030.
According to Environmental Leader, the eco-conscious tire was created out of 13 ingredients, including soybean oil, rice husk ash, and polyester made from plastic waste. In particular, the use of soybean oil helps keep the rubber pliable even as the tire heats or cools, and because it’s bio-based, it reduces the need for petroleum-based materials.
Rice husk ash was used in replacement of silica, which is typically added to improve the grip of the tire and reduce a vehicle’s fuel consumption. The new material upcycles the byproduct of rice processing that’s often discarded into a useful substance.
In addition, the company has come up with an alternative for another part of tire production, called the carbon black. The component helps reinforce and increase the lifespan of a tire, with the new model featuring three carbon blacks made from methane, carbon dioxide, and plant-based oil instead of petroleum products.
“We set an ambitious goal in 2020 to create a tire made 100% from sustainable materials in 10 years, and our scientists and engineers have made great progress toward that goal,” said Goodyear’s Global CTO, Chris Helsel.
Alongside the sustainable tire, the brand has also been working on non-pneumatic (airless) tires that would use spokes to keep wheels firm enough to drive on, as per Input. Since these tires won’t ever get a puncture, they’ll be needed to be replaced less frequently, minimizing the number of tires a vehicle goes through every year.
While the airless tires are still in the prototype stage, Goodyear has agreed to test the airless tires on its Starship delivery robots, which deliver food and packages in the US and UK. Initial findings have been promising, the company said.
Here’s hoping we can soon pair eco-friendly electric vehicles with tires made from sustainable materials for the ultimate feel-good ride.
[via Environmental Leader and Input, images via Goodyear/PR Newswire]
