Rolling resistance accounts for approximately 20-30% of vehicle fuel consumption, with tire deformation generating heat that dissipates as wasted energy. Modern passenger vehicle tires typically have rolling resistance coefficients between 0.007 and 0.014, representing a significant opportunity for efficiency improvements through materials and design optimization.

The fundamental challenge lies in reducing energy loss from tire deformation while maintaining essential performance characteristics like wet grip, wear resistance, and handling stability.

This page brings together solutions from recent research—including advanced rubber compositions with functionalized polymers, multi-layer tread designs, optimized bead geometries, and innovative sidewall architectures. These and other approaches demonstrate how rolling resistance can be reduced while preserving critical tire performance metrics.

1. Rubber Composition with Low Styrene SBR and Blocked Mercapto Organosilane for Tire Treads

THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER CO, 2025

Rubber composition for tire treads that provides improved wet performance, rolling resistance, and snow traction compared to traditional tire tread compounds. The composition contains a specific blend of elastomers, fillers, resins, and curing agents. The elastomer blend includes a low styrene content SBR with a low glass transition temperature, along with polybutadiene. The SBR has functional groups for improved adhesion to silica filler. The composition also contains a blocked mercapto organosilane coupling agent for better silica bonding. This combination provides a balance of wet traction, rolling resistance, and snow traction for all-season and winter tires.

US2025163252A1-patent-drawing

2. Rubber Composition with Specific Tan Delta Curve and Pneumatic Tire Incorporating Modified BR and Silica

SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES LTD, 2025

Tire rubber composition and pneumatic tire with significantly improved overall performance in terms of wet grip and fuel economy. The rubber composition has a tan delta vs temperature curve with a peak tan delta and half width satisfying a specific relationship (0.025 or greater). This curve shape provides both enhanced wet grip due to the high peak tan delta and improved wet grip and fuel economy due to the sharp curve. The composition can contain modified BR, silica, silane coupling agents, wax, antioxidants, oil, zinc oxide, sulfur, and accelerators.

3. Polymer Composition for Tires with Modified Conjugated Diene-Based Polymer and Functional-Group-Containing Polymer

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.

4. Annular Shear Band with Interlaced Zigzag Reinforcing Elements and Rhombus Configuration

COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN, 2025

Annular shear band for non-pneumatic tires with reduced rolling resistance. The shear band has an annular rubber shear layer with discrete annular reinforcing elements interlaced in a zigzag pattern. The reinforcing elements are arranged in rows with reinforcing elements from adjacent rows forming rhombus shapes. This configuration provides load support and prevents crack propagation while allowing high strain deformation. The shear layer is made of a rubber composition with natural rubber and a low styrene content copolymer. The reinforcing elements are made of silica with a coupling agent. The specific reinforcing element arrangement and rubber composition provide low rolling resistance in the shear band.

5. Chemically Modified Precipitated Silica with In-situ Alkali Metal Alkyl Siliconate Integration

RHODIA OPERATIONS, 2025

Chemically modified precipitated silica with improved compatibility with polymeric matrices. The silica is modified during the precipitation process by adding alkali metal alkyl siliconates. This allows the formation of silica chemically modified with alkyl groups. The modification takes place during the precipitation without additional steps. The modified silica can be used as a reinforcing filler in polymeric compositions like tires.

US12291459B2-patent-drawing

6. Strand with Reinforcing Fiber Core Impregnated with Elastomer and Thermoplastic Resin Coating

MITSUBISHI GAS CHEMICAL COMPANY INC, 2025

Strand with improved slidability for use in applications like driving parts. The strand has a core made of reinforcing fibers impregnated with an elastomer, covered by a thermoplastic resin layer. The elastomer in the core provides flexibility and the thermoplastic layer enhances slidability. This allows the strand to slide smoothly without damage compared to bare fiber strands.

US2025122651A1-patent-drawing

7. Polydiene Rubber with Alkoxy Silyl Group Functionalized Comonomers

ARLANXEO DEUTSCHLAND GMBH, 2025

Polydiene rubbers with improved properties for tire applications, made by polymerizing diene monomers with functionalized comonomers containing alkoxy silyl groups. The functionalized comonomers have repeating units derived from the functionalizing comonomer. The functionalized rubber polymers have better interactions with fillers and improved tire properties compared to non-functionalized diene polymers.

8. Rubber Composition with Defined SBR and EPDM Ratios and Specific Silica and Zinc Oxide Content

APOLLO TYRES GLOBAL R&D BV, 2025

Rubber composition for tire treads that provides improved wet grip and rolling resistance compared to conventional rubber compositions. The composition contains specific ratios of styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (EPDM), silica, and zinc oxide. The composition also has a specific styrene content in the SBR, vinyl content in the SBR, and glass transition temperature (Tg) of the SBR. Cross-linking the composition improves wet grip and maintains rolling resistance compared to cross-linking conventional rubber compositions.

9. A Numerical Study on Predicting Rolling Resistance of Tires Based on the Change of Accumulated Strain Energy Density

dehong hu, dian zhang, you wang - Darcy & Roy Press Co. Ltd., 2025

The prediction of tire rolling resistance is importance in both academic and engineering. Classic computational methods are complexity low efficiency. This paper proposes a method based on cumulative changes strain energy density to calculate resistance. Obtain the stress stains states various components by Finite Element Analysis (FEA), apply Karmals formula for computation changing density. proposed achieves good tendency between measurement results. Moreover, efficiency reduced 1/12 that classic methods. can be used complex simplified tread patterns tires predicting.

10. Lignin-Rubber Masterbatch with Esterified Lignin for Carbon Black Replacement

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.

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11. Comparison Between Tire Rolling Resistance Measurements on a Flat Track and a Test Drum Under Non-Steady-State Conditions

lisa ydrefors, mattias hjort, sogol kharrazi - The Tire Society, 2025

ABSTRACT Rolling resistance has become one of the key parameters that vehicle industry is focusing on in their efforts to make vehicles more energy efficient. generally measured steady state a test drum results higher rolling than flat track measurements for same settings due curvature drum, which deforms tire more. Therefore, steady-state commonly converted with Clarks formula, as suggested measurement standards. Freudenmann et al. suggest an adjustment claiming it would improve accuracy conversions. The aim this work compare non-steady-state and measurements, performed at inflation pressure temperature, investigate whether or Freudenmanns formula can be used convert corresponding level when not state. Non-steady-state have been both track. As expected, good conversion because was empirically developed works conversions temperature pressure. However, dependency causing difference between increases decreases. Further research by including effects beneficial.

12. System for Calculating Profile-Based Tire Inflation Pressures Using Vehicle and Environmental Data

CYPRESS SEMICONDUCTOR CORP, 2025

A system for optimizing tire inflation by calculating personalized target pressures based on factors beyond just the default value. The system involves vehicles calculating profile-based target pressures for tires using data like tire make, history, vehicle use, and environment. The target pressures are then wirelessly transmitted to devices like tire fillers or user devices to inflate the tires to the calculated optimal pressures. This customized tire pressure management goes beyond just default values to provide better tire performance and longevity.

US2025108779A1-patent-drawing

13. Additive Composition Comprising Fatty Acid and Polyamine Reaction Product for Silica-Filled 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.

US2025109275A1-patent-drawing

14. Polysaccharide-Elastomer Masterbatch with Controlled Coagulation and Drying Process

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.

US2025109259A1-patent-drawing

15. Silica-Filled Rubber Compound with Polar Additive for Enhanced Dispersion and Stiffness

BRIDGESTONE EUROPE NV/SA [BE/BE], 2025

Silica-filled rubber compound for tires with high stiffness and reduced rolling resistance. The compound contains a specific additive with a dipole moment over 2 Debye, polar groups at one end of a hydrophobic carbon chain, and crosslinks only at the other end. This additive enhances silica dispersion and stiffness without increasing hysteresis compared to traditional plasticizers. The compound has a balance of stiffness and rolling resistance exceeding 1.15 in E'/TanD ratio.

16. Tire Tread with Differential Rubber Composition Featuring Central Section with Lower Storage Modulus and Higher Glass Transition Temperature

THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER CO, 2025

Tire tread design that improves rolling resistance while maintaining wet grip and reducing maximum lateral force for vehicles like SUVs and vans. The tread has a center section with a different rubber composition compared to the shoulder sections. The center rubber has lower storage modulus at 1% strain and higher glass transition temperature compared to the shoulder rubber. This allows lower rolling resistance and improved wet grip without sacrificing maximum lateral force. The center rubber composition can contain a styrene/alpha-methylstyrene copolymer resin.

17. Rubber Composition for Truck Tires with Polyisoprene and Functionalized Low Tg SBR Blended with Silica Filler

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. Polydiene Polymer Backbone Modified with Silylating Grafting Agents via Hydrosilylation

BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION, 2025

Functionalizing polydiene polymers like styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) by modifying the backbone using silylating grafting agents. The grafting agents are synthesized by reacting siloxanes, compounds with a vinyl group and substituent, and a catalyst. The grafting agents are then used to hydrosilylate the polymer post-polymerization, incorporating multiple functional groups on the backbone. This improves properties like rolling resistance, wet traction, and filler interaction.

19. Cured Rubber Compositions Incorporating Silylated Polydiene Polymers with Grafted Functional Groups

BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION, 2025

Cured rubber compositions for tires with improved properties like filler dispersion, lower rolling resistance, and better snow traction. The compositions contain silylated polydiene polymers derived from diene monomers like styrene and butadiene. The silylation involves grafting a silylating agent with a functional group onto the diene polymer. The silylated polydiene polymer improves tire compound performance when cured.

US20250084190A1-patent-drawing

20. Silane Coupling Agents with Alkyl, Alkenyl, and Alkoxy Groups for Rubber Compounds

MOMENTIVE PERFORMANCE MATERIALS INC., 2025

Silane coupling agents for rubber compounds that improve properties like wear, rolling resistance, and handling without viscosity instability. The silane compounds have a specific structure with alkyl, alkenyl, and alkoxy groups. They can be prepared by reacting a silane amine with an alkene and an alcohol. The silane-functionalized rubbers made with these compounds have lower viscosity changes over time compared to traditional silane-functionalized rubbers. This reduces issues like gelation and handling difficulties in processing.

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21. Tire Structure with Integrated Low-Resistance Electrical Pathway from Tread to Bead

22. Tire Structure with Differential Rubber Compositions for Electrical Conductivity Pathway

23. Small Diameter Tire with Specific Tread Rubber Compounds Balancing Rolling Resistance and Noise Reduction

24. Tire Tread with Multi-Layered Rubber Composition and Misaligned Groove Geometry

25. Tire Tread with Configured Longitudinal Grooves and Distinct Crown Rubbers

Since they use less fuel and have less environmental impact, tire rolling resistance reduction techniques are revolutionizing the automotive industry. The difficulties of rolling resistance are being effectively addressed by manufacturers without sacrificing other crucial tire properties because of careful design and material optimization.

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