Goodyear Uses Soybean Oil-Based Rubber in Tires
Talk about going green, Goodyear Tire has reported the first commercial use of a new soybean oil-based rubber compound, which is helping the company enhance tire performance in dry, wet and winter conditions.
The Goodyear team of scientists and engineers created a tread compound, or formulation, using soybean oil, which is naturally derived, cost-effective, carbon-neutral and renewable.
By utilizing a technique to keep rubber compounds pliable in changing temperatures, the soybean tires enhancing the ability for a vehicle to grip on road surface.
The company reports that rubber made with soybean oil mixes more easily in the silica-reinforced compounds which in turn improves manufacturing efficiency and reduces energy consumption.
Innovation at Goodyear is not new. The company recently used silica derived from rice husk ash as another component in certain consumer tires.
Category: General Update, Green, News
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