Green Materials used for Tire Production
Traditional tire manufacturing consumes over 800 million gallons of petroleum-derived materials annually, with each passenger tire requiring 7 gallons of oil equivalent. Recent analyses show that replacing even 30% of petroleum-based compounds with bio-derived alternatives could reduce the carbon footprint of tire production by 25-35%, while maintaining critical performance metrics like wet grip and rolling resistance.
The core challenge lies in developing bio-based elastomers and fillers that match the performance characteristics of petroleum-derived materials without compromising tire safety, durability, or manufacturing scalability.
This page brings together solutions from recent research—including biobased rubber compounds derived from plant oils, elastomer blends incorporating fermentation residues, biodegradable fillers from organic waste, and rubber compositions using recycled textile fibers. These and other approaches demonstrate how tire manufacturers can reduce petroleum dependency while maintaining or improving tire performance specifications.
1. Impact of Tung oil on a sustainable bio-based polymer, and development by zinc oxide nanoparticles
hamdy m naguib - Nature Portfolio, 2025
Abstract The use of natural and bio-based materials instead petrochemicals is strongly recommended for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Here we aim to promote the environmentally friendly polyester (P), prepared from biomass, with Tung oil (TO) plasticizer zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) filler by 1050%, 3% get a sustainable nanocomposite. grafting altered profile neat P. Owing insufficient contents, low concentrations have slight impact, high more enhancements. physical properties accompanied curing P/TO copolymer showed decrease in viscosity, gelation time, gelation-curing period TO-based specimens, besides lower heat emission during reaction, compared that P, 3.4% 4%, respectively, P/TO-40 P/TO-50 copolymers. stability against exudation was promoted 48.6%, where all composites are stable than improved creep resistance 62% 88.1%, due surfaces. Furthermore, concentration reduced hardness 25%, but it ZnO NPs 46.7%. Both TO nanofiller make polymer capable absorbing flexural loading as toughened composite. proposed provide positive effects on thermal behavior. Particularly, for... Read More
2. Process for Hydrothermal Cracking and Fractionation of End-of-Life Tires to Recover and Reuse Tire Components
THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER CO, 2025
Recycling end-of-life tires into new tires with high efficiency by converting the waste tires into valuable feedstocks for tire production. The tires are hydrothermally cracked to separate oil, water, and solids. The oil is fractionated to extract wax and process oil. The wax is refined and the process oil is steam cracked to make tire components like elastomers, resins, and additives. The solids contain fillers like carbon black and silica. The recovered fillers, wax, and process oil are then used to make new tires, with at least 50% of the tire weight coming from recycled tire materials.
3. Carbon black and calcium lignosulphonate reinforced rubber composites with applied plasticiser glycerol
jan kruzelak, michaela dzuganova, andrea kvasnicakova - Taylor & Francis, 2025
Rubber compounds based on styrenebutadiene rubber (SBR) and acrylonitrilebutadiene (NBR) were filled with constant amount of carbon black 25 phr calcium lignosulphonate 30 phr. Glycerol as cheap environmentally friendly softener was added into the in concentration scale from 0 to 20 plasticise matrix biopolymer improve adhesion between components compounds. The results revealed that addition glycerol resulted decrease viscosity. Based dynamical-mechanical analysis it can be concluded softened lowered its glass transition temperature. better distributed dispersed within matrices, which clearly demonstrated by performing scanning electron microscopy. contributed compatibility biopolymer, subsequently reflected improvement tensile behaviour composites. Both elongation at break strength showed increasing trend glycerol. Due polarity among matrix, plasticiser, higher strength, enhancement dependence content exhibited composites NBR. When compared reference, increased more than 5 MPa for plasticised high SBR-based less evident, though still pointing a positive effect filler-rubbe... Read More
4. Polymer Composition with Modified Conjugated Diene-Based Polymer and Functional-Group-Containing Polymer for Tires
ENEOS MATERIALS CORP, 2025
A polymer composition for tires that balances fuel efficiency and rigidity. The composition contains a modified conjugated diene-based polymer with nitrogen-containing functional groups, and a functional-group-containing polymer. The modified polymer improves fuel efficiency, while the functional-group-containing polymer maintains rigidity. The ratio of modified polymer to functional polymer is 99:1 to 70:30 by mass. This composition allows tires to have both low rolling resistance and good steering stability.
5. Research on the Sustainable Reuse of Tire Textile Waste for the Production of Thermal Insulating Mats
giedrius balciunas, sigitas vejelis, saulius vaitkus - Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute, 2025
Waste tire textile fiber (WTTF), a secondary product from the processing of end-of-life tires, is predominantly disposed through incineration or landfillingboth which present significant environmental hazards. The process emits large quantities greenhouse gases (GHGs) as well harmful substances such dioxins and heavy metals, exacerbating air pollution contributing to climate change. Conversely, landfilling WTTF results in long-term degradation, synthetic fibers are non-biodegradable can leach pollutants into surrounding soil water systems. These detrimental impacts emphasize pressing need for environmentally sustainable disposal reuse strategies. We found that 80% was used production thermal insulation mats. other part, i.e., 20% raw material, twining, stabilization, improvement properties mats, consisted recycled polyester (RPES), bicomponent (BiPES), hollow (HPES). research shows produces stable filament insulating mat formation. studies on mats show conductivity varies 0.0412 W/(mK) 0.0338 W/(mK). tensile strength measured parallel direction formation ranges 5.60 kPa 13.8... Read More
6. Rubber-Based Sustainable Textiles and Potential Industrial Applications
bapan adak, upashana chatterjee, mangala joshi - Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute, 2025
This review explores the evolving landscape of sustainable textile manufacturing, with a focus on rubber-based materials for various industrial applications. The and rubber industries are shifting towards eco-friendly practices, driven by environmental concerns need to reduce carbon footprints. integration textiles in products, such as tires, conveyor belts, defense is becoming increasingly prominent. discusses adoption natural fibers like flax, jute, hemp, which offer biodegradability improved mechanical properties. Additionally, it highlights elastomer sources, including from Hevea brasiliensis alternative plants Guayule Russian dandelion, well bio-based synthetic rubbers derived terpenes biomass. also covers additives, silica fillers, nanoclay, plasticizers, enhance performance while reducing impact. Textilerubber composites cost-effective traditional fiber-reinforced polymers when high flexibility impact resistance needed. Rubber matrices fatigue life under cyclic loading, jute can manufacturing process involves preparation, composite assembly, consolidation/curing, post-proce... Read More
7. Segmented Thermoplastic Polymers with Difunctional Triketone and Diamine Structure for Depolymerization
HRL LABORATORIES LLC, 2025
Repairable thermoplastic polymers that can be depolymerized back to monomers for recycling. The polymers have a segmented structure with rigid and flexible segments. The rigid segments are made from a difunctional triketone monomer and the flexible segments are made from diamines. The segments can be tuned for properties like strain at break. The polymers can be depolymerized by exposure to acid, solvent, or heat.
8. Plasma-Assisted Synthesis of Sub-Micron Carbon Nanoparticles from Natural Gas
MONOLITH MATERIALS INC, 2025
A one-step method for making high-quality carbon nanoparticles using a plasma-assisted process with natural gas as the feedstock. The method involves heating natural gas in an oxygen-free atmosphere and adding it to a plasma to generate carbon nanoparticles that are less than 1 micron in size and have an average particle diameter (Lc) greater than 3 nanometers. The plasma-assisted synthesis provides high-quality carbon nanoparticles for reinforcing rubber compounds that outperform traditional carbon blacks.
9. Recycled Carbon Black with Surface Modification via Controlled Flame Treatment for Enhanced Rubber Integration
TOKAI CARBON CO LTD, 2025
Recycled carbon black with improved properties for rubber products by modifying the surface of recycled carbon black obtained from pyrolyzing waste tires. The modification involves continuously introducing the recycled carbon black into a main burner flame and passing it through the flame. This removes rubber residuals adhering to the carbon black surface. The burner flame conditions are optimized to maintain low oxygen levels during combustion. The modified carbon black has lower rubber impurities and higher bonding with rubber components compared to unmodified recycled carbon black.
10. Biomass-derived Fillers
ganggang zhang, jianhan wu, baochun guo - Royal Society of Chemistry, 2025
Towards a global sustainable future and circular economy, the utilization of renewable high-performing biomass-derived fillers for rubber industry is highly desirable but challenging. Carbon black (CB), produced by incomplete combustion or thermal decomposition petroleum hydrocarbons, most dominant reinforcing filler, followed mineral fillers. However, manufacture CB has considerable carbon footprint due to its fossil-based resources; have higher density are generally incompatible with rubbers. It important find abundant, sustainable, cost-effective as substitutes petroleum- coal-derived Biomass-derived fillers, such cellulose nanocrystals, lignin, polysaccharides, biochar, rice husk silica, been extensively explored substitute This chapter provides comprehensive review their applications in industry. The structure, morphology, properties introduced. surface modification processing methods high-performance composites critically reviewed.
11. Green Tyres
kunal manna, indranil dey, ketaki samanta - Royal Society of Chemistry, 2025
This chapter offers an elaborative background regarding the significance of green tyres over traditional considering their respective environmental impacts. The focus is on sustainable ingredients like alternatives natural rubber, bio-based elastomers/synthetic rubbers, processing oils, reversible crosslinking strategy, sustainable/bio-resourced fillers and tyre cords for compounding rubbers. also discusses economic assessment production cost a better understanding viability process. Several case studies have been exercised systematically documented in each section this exploring thorough literature survey area.
12. Bio-based Elastomers
chaoying sun, runguo wang, liqun zhang - Royal Society of Chemistry, 2025
The acceleration of industrialization and motorization has caused increasing consumption fossil fuels more greenhouse gas emissions, therefore, greener renewable alternatives are highly in demand modern society. Renewable energy can be generated by conversion solar CO2 through the photosynthesis plants, forming a theoretical zero emission cycle. Using biomass resources to extract produce bio-based fuel chemicals is strategy moving forward. use make plastics been actively studied. In this chapter, we will mainly introduce development environmentally-friendly elastomers their applications rubber industry.
13. A Green Synthesis of Controllable Shear-Assisted Catalytically Graphitized Biomass-Derived Carbon and Its Multi-Scale Reinforcement Mechanism in Natural Rubber
xingxin xu, chengjun li, xu lin - Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute, 2025
Carbon black (CB) serves as the most crucial reinforcing filler in natural rubber (NR) applications. However, conventional CB production relies on petroleum or coal resources, raising concerns about non-renewability and unsustainable resource consumption. Although biomass-derived carbon materials have been explored alternatives for reinforcement, their practical application remains constrained by inherent limitations such large particle size low graphitic structure, which compromise reinforcement efficiency. This study presents a novel walnut shell biochar (WSB) enhancement. The was prepared via pyrolysis subsequently subjected to an environmentally friendly physical ball-milling process. treatment effectively increased graphitized domains while enriching surface functional groups. Systematic investigations were conducted effects of duration loading performance. Results demonstrate that biochar-reinforced vulcanizates achieved 22% improvement tensile strength compared unfilled rubber. Notably, at 10 phr loading, biochar-filled reached 98% CB(N330)-filled counterparts. further reveale... Read More
14. Polymeric Compositions with Reversible Diels-Alder Polyol for Debondable Adhesion
CARGILL BIOINDUSTRIAL UK LTD, 2025
Recyclable adhesives, coatings, sealants, elastomers, and composites that can be easily debonded from substrates to enable reuse and recycling. The materials contain a specific type of polyol called Diels-Alder polyol (DA polyol) that can undergo a reversible DA/rDA reaction. The DA polyol is made by reacting a furan-containing diene with a maleimide-containing dienophile. When heated, the DA reaction converts the polyol into a soft, debondable polymer. This allows the adhesive, coating, etc. to be removed from a substrate without damage, facilitating reuse and recycling. The DA polyol can be used as a replacement for conventional polyols in polymer compositions like polyurethanes.
15. Nanocellulose Dispersion Process Using Partitioning Agents for Agglomeration Prevention During Drying
GRANBIO INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY HOLDINGS LLC, 2025
Process to improve dispersion of nanocellulose in polymers like elastomers and plastics. The process involves partitioning the nanocellulose during drying to prevent agglomeration. This is done by combining the nanocellulose dispersion with a partitioning agent like carbon black, elastomer latex, or wax before drying. The partitioning agent remains intact and spaced between the nanocellulose particles after drying to prevent bonding and agglomeration. This results in a nanocellulose dispersion composition with improved dispersibility in polymers.
16. Effect of Proteins on the Network Formation and Degradation of Peroxide Cross-Linked Natural Rubber Elucidated by Time-Domain NMR
adun nimpaiboon, antonio gonzalezjimenez, roberto perezaparicio - Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute, 2025
The importance of sustainable polymers has increased greatly in the last years since most are derived from non-renewable sources. Sustainable (i.e., biopolymers) such as natural rubber (NR) proposed a solution for this concern. A comparative study between NR and deproteinized (DPNR) was carried out to elucidate role proteins on network formation degradation peroxide cross-linked using time-domain NMR experiments. 1H multiple-quantum (MQ) experiments provided information cross-link density its spatial distribution, while actual fraction non-coupled defects obtained by exploiting Hahn echo approach measured swollen samples. results showed that influenced during vulcanization process NR, leading higher number non-elastic promoting creation additional cross-links with broader distribution. heterogeneities different length scales deeply influences mechanical properties On other hand, pro-oxidant activity behavior accelerating NR.
17. Two-Step Pyrolysis of Crosslinked Rubber for Monomer and Oligomer Recovery
BRIDGESTONE CORP, TOHOKU UNIVERSITY, NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED INDUSTRIAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, 2025
Method to decompose crosslinked rubber into useful monomers and oligomers for recycling instead of burning it. The decomposition involves two steps: (1) pyrolyzing the rubber at 150-400°C to produce diene oligomers with 100-50,000 molecular weight, and (2) further pyrolyzing the oligomers at 300-950°C in an inert gas atmosphere in the presence of a catalyst. This step breaks down the oligomers into hydrocarbons with 12 or less carbon atoms, increasing the yield of reusable monomers and oligomers compared to direct pyrolysis.
18. Process for Activating Textile Reinforcement Yarns with Polyisocyanate-Based Bath for Composite Material Formation
CONTINENTAL REIFEN DEUTSCHLAND GMBH, 2025
Process to make composite materials for elastomeric products like tires with improved sustainability and adhesion. The process involves activating textile reinforcement yarns with a bath containing polyisocyanates, waxes, and surfactants before immersing them in the rubber mixture. This coating improves adhesion between the yarns and surrounding rubber. The coated yarns are then used to create the composite material. The activation bath can be made from recycled materials like post-consumer PET bottles. The composite with recycled yarns provides similar performance to conventional composites but with lower environmental impact. The vulcanized composite material and resulting elastomeric products, like tires, have improved sustainability and adhesion compared to conventional composites.
19. 3,14,14-Trimethyl-2,3,4,4a,5,12,14,14a-Octahydroquinolino[2,3-b]acridin-7(1H)-one Compound Synthesis from Citronellal, Acetone, and Aniline Derivatives
CONTINENTAL REIFEN DEUTSCHLAND GMBH, 2025
A compound called 3,14,14-trimethyl-2,3,4,4a,5,12,14,14a-octahydroquinolino[2,3-b]acridin-7 (1H)-one that can be used as an aging stabilizer in rubber products like tires. The compound has a lower hazard potential compared to traditional aging stabilizers like p-phenylenediamines. It can be used in rubber mixtures at low amounts to provide sufficient aging protection without blooming. The compound can be synthesized by reacting citronellal, acetone, and aniline derivatives.
20. Polyurethane Foam Synthesis Utilizing Acid-Precipitated Biomass Extracted from Cotton Spinning Black Liquor
TARIM UNIVERSITY, 2025
Preparing polyurethane foam using extracts from cotton spinning black liquor, a waste product from cotton processing. The extraction involves acid precipitation of the black liquor. The extracted biomass can replace some of the polyol and isocyanate in foam formulation. The resulting foam has lower density, higher thermal stability, and better flame retardancy compared to conventional foam. The extraction pH controls the biomass composition for optimal foam properties. Modifications like oxypropylation or hydroxymethylation further enhance foam quality.
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