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. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Method for Producing Carbon Black Using Electrically-Heated Gas Stream with Combined Low-Yield and Primary Feedstocks
CABOT CORP, 2025
Method to produce carbon black from alternative feedstocks that allows using low-yielding feedstocks like ethylene, biomass, or landfill gas in electrically-heated carbon black processes. The method involves combining a low-yielding carbon black feedstock with a first carbon black feedstock in an electrically-heated gas stream to form carbon black. It allows using significant amounts of low-yielding feedstocks like ethylene to create carbon black with comparable properties to traditional feedstocks. The electric heating provides high pyrolysis temperatures to overcome low-yield issues.
8. Method for Query Processing Using Generative Models and Subquery Selection with Relevance Metrics
GOOGLE LLC, 2025
Generating more accurate responses to multifaceted and noisy natural language queries by leveraging generative models like large language models (LLMs) and search engines. The method involves using an LLM to generate a set of candidate subqueries for the main query. These subqueries are evaluated and a subset is selected based on metrics like relevance and non-duplication. Search results are obtained for the selected subqueries, and a response is generated using these results instead of searching the entire query. This reduces the search volume and response size compared to submitting separate queries for each facet.
9. Rubber Compound for Power Transmission Belts with Sustainable Styrene-Butadiene Rubber and Recovered Carbon Black
CONTITECH DEUTSCHLAND GMBH, 2025
A sustainable rubber compound for power transmission belts that contains at least one styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) derived from sustainable sources like renewable feedstocks. The compound also includes recovered carbon black, sustainable dispersed reinforcing fiber, sustainable plasticizer oil, antioxidant, activator, and sulfur vulcanizing agent. The compound aims to replace petroleum-derived rubber components with sustainable alternatives for reduced environmental impact.
10. Recombinant Resilin Protein Cross-Linking via Ammonium Persulfate and Solvent Exchange for Tunable Biodegradable Elastomers
BOLT THREADS INC, 2025
Improved compositions and methods for cross-linking recombinant resilin proteins to make biodegradable elastomers with tunable properties for applications like automotive parts, shoes, and gaskets. The compositions are made by exposing recombinant resilin to ammonium persulfate and heat to cross-link without enzymes or photoinitiators. The cross-linked resilin can be further processed by solvent exchange to replace the aqueous cross-linking medium with nonaqueous solvents like glycerol, propylene glycol, or DMSO to tune properties like elastic modulus, hardness, and fatigue resistance. This allows tuning cross-linked resilin compositions for specific applications without degradation from impurities.
11. Bio-Based Lignin-Rubber Masterbatch with Esterified Lignin for Enhanced Dispersibility
NANJING TECH UNIVERSITY, 2025
Fully bio-based, highly filled lignin-rubber masterbatch for replacing carbon black in rubber. The masterbatch is prepared by mixing modified lignin with rubber. The lignin is modified by esterification with acetic acid and oleic acid to improve compatibility with non-polar rubbers. The modified lignin has reduced hydroxyl group content compared to unmodified lignin. The esterification reaction provides hydrophobic groups to decrease lignin polarity. This improves lignin dispersibility in the rubber matrix.
12. Benzoic Acid Derivative-Based Compound for Aging Stabilization and Dyeing in Rubber Compositions
CONTINENTAL REIFEN DEUTSCHLAND GMBH, 2025
Compound for aging stabilization, antioxidant, and dyeing of rubber compositions like tire treads. The compound has the structure II: The compound improves rubber aging stability while reducing hazardousness compared to traditional aging stabilizers like p-phenylenediamines. It can be synthesized by reacting a benzoic acid derivative with an amine in the presence of a base. The compound can be used in rubber compositions at low loadings to prevent oxidation and ozone degradation of the rubber during processing and service life.
13. Additive Composition Comprising Fatty Acid and Polyamine Reaction Product for Silica Dispersion in Rubber Compounds
INGEVITY SOUTH CAROLINA LLC, 2025
Additive composition for improving properties of silica-filled rubber compounds in tires, such as fuel economy, traction, and wear resistance. The composition comprises a reaction product of fatty acid and polyamine. It is added to silica-filled rubber compounds, like tire treads, at low parts per hundred (phr) levels. The additive enhances silica dispersion and reduces payne effect, without affecting key rubber properties like viscosity, scorch, hardness, tensile strength, elongation, abrasion, and modulus. This enables improved tire performance, including lower rolling resistance, enhanced winter/dry traction, and better dry handling, without compromising other properties.
14. Microwave-Assisted Surface Devulcanization Process for Recycling Waste Tire Rubber
1307843 BC LTD, 2025
Recycling waste tires into useful rubber compounds using microwave-assisted surface devulcanization. The process involves separating metal and fibers from waste tires, micronizing the vulcanized crumb rubber, applying a dose of microwave energy to sever sulfidic crosslinks, mixing the devulcanized rubber with plastic and oil, and extruding it to produce recycled rubber compounds like crumb rubber or end-of-life tire compounds. The microwave devulcanization step enables efficient recycling of waste tires without harsh solvents or chemical compatibilizers.
15. Polysaccharide-Elastomer Masterbatch with Coagulated and Dried Composition
NUTRITION & BIOSCIENCES USA 4 INC, 2025
Polysaccharide-elastomer masterbatch for making reinforced rubber compositions with reduced water content. The masterbatch is made by mixing a polysaccharide dispersion with an elastomer latex and then coagulating and drying the mixture. This avoids adding water during masterbatch production, allowing lower water content in the final rubber compound. The polysaccharide provides reinforcement and reduces rolling resistance compared to carbon black. The masterbatch can be used in applications like tires, belts, footwear, coatings, etc.
16. Method for Producing Perfluoroelastomers via Solvent-Free Tetrafluoroethylene Polymerization in Controlled Pressure and Temperature Conditions
DAIKIN INDUSTRIES LTD, 2025
A method for producing perfluoroelastomers without using water or fluorine-containing solvents during polymerization. The method involves polymerizing tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) and another fluorinated monomer (other than TFE) in a sealed reactor with an internal volume occupied by water, fluorine-containing solvent, and carbon dioxide at 2.0% or less. The second monomer is partially liquid during polymerization by controlling pressure and temperature. The resulting perfluoroelastomer has low glass transition temperature, high fluorine content, and can be directly recovered from the reactor without coagulation steps.
17. Rubber Composition with Polyisoprene and Functionalized SBR for Silica Coupling in Truck Tires
THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER CO, 2025
Rubber composition for truck tires with improved rolling resistance and wet grip while maintaining wear resistance. The composition contains 70-95 phr of polyisoprene and 5-30 phr of a low Tg SBR functionalized for silica coupling. It also has 40-80 phr of predominantly silica filler. This combination provides a balance of wear, wet, and rolling resistance properties for reduced environmental impact and safety in truck tires.
18. Rubber Aging Stabilizer Compound with 2-(p-Phenylenediamine)-m Substituted Benzoate Structure
Continental Reifen Deutschland GmbH, 2025
Aging stabilizer compound for rubber products like tires that provides improved protection against oxygen and ozone degradation compared to traditional aromatic amine stabilizers. The compound has the formula I: 2-(p-phenylenediamine)-m substituted benzoate (or ester) with m=0 or 1. It can be synthesized by reacting the diamine with a carboxylic acid. The compound has lower hazard potential than aromatic amines and good solubility in the rubber matrix. It can be used in rubber mixtures for tires and other rubber articles to prevent aging and blooming.
19. Rubber Formulations with Vinylbenzocyclobutane-Containing Statistical Copolymer for Self-Curing
Bridgestone Corporation, Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC, 2025
Rubber formulations that can be cured without traditional curatives like zinc oxide and sulfur. The formulations contain a statistical copolymer made from conjugated diene monomers and vinylbenzocyclobutane. When heated, the vinylbenzocyclobutane segments crosslink with each other and other double bonds in the polymer to cure the rubber without additional curatives. The statistical distribution of vinylbenzocyclobutane promotes even crosslinking density. The formulations are useful in tire applications as they reduce cost and environmental impact compared to traditional curing methods.
20. Reclaimed Carbon Black with Reduced Particle Size via Aqueous Milling Process
Beyond Lotus LLC, 2025
Improving the processing and performance of reclaimed carbon black recovered from tire pyrolysis by milling it in water to reduce particle size and dispersibility. The milled reclaimed carbon has volume-weighted D50 particle sizes less than 2700 nm with low proportions of large particles. This milled reclaimed carbon can be used as a filler in rubber composites at similar loadings to virgin carbon black. The milling and dispersion improves rubber properties compared to unprocessed reclaimed carbon. The milling step involves mixing the pyrolysis carbon with water to form a slurry, then milling it to a desired particle size.
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