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Alliance forged to spread growth of ‘green’
tires
Dow Corning scientists are stepping up their search for a
technology solution that will help improve fuel efficiency for millions of
drivers worldwide. ‘Green’ tires are already in
widespread use on cars, particularly in Europe, but Dow Corning is now working
on a technology solution that will make it possible for these tires to also be
used on trucks and road tankers.
“In the year 2007 itself, there were around 20 million trucks[1] worldwide, so this
is potentially a very big opportunity for us” said Dow Corning’s Thierry
Materne, global industry director for coating, reinforced plastics & tire.
“Dow Corning developed processes and technology that contributed to make it
possible for millions of car drivers to get the benefits of ‘green’ tires. Now
we want to help truck drivers get the same advantages.”
Dow Corning scientists have joined forces with counterparts at Rhodia
Corporation to work on this challenge. The two companies announced late 2008,
an agreement where they will collaborate for the development and
commercialization of new silica/ silane products to support the tire industry’s
drive for energy efficient, safer motoring. Their first activity will be to
develop a way of introducing silica into natural rubber, covering applications
such as truck and winter tires.
The use of ‘green’ tires in cars produced in Europe is quite prevalent and
their use is growing in Asia and North America. “There is a growing interest
among motorists for more sustainable driving but we could well see interest in
these tires increase as drivers look for ways of keeping all their costs down
in the current economic climate” said Materne.
The Dow Corning scientists will be aiming to repeat their success of a few
years ago where they developed a revolutionary technology called Phase Transfer
Catalysis (PTC) ‘green’
tires can be made more affordably through a reduction in both the amount of
materials consumed and the costs in making silane
coupling agents.
Studies have shown that ‘green’ tires[2] give better traction on wet and
icy surfaces and can reduce stopping distances by as much as 15 percent, making
the roads safer for everyone. Tire-rolling resistance is reduced by up to 20
percent compared to an equivalent standard tire, which reduces vehicle fuel
consumption by up to 5 percent. Widespread use of these green tires could save
millions of barrels of oil per year and reduce carbon dioxide (C02)
emissions significantly.
To learn more about Dow Corning’s commitment to sustainability, see our Sustainability Report.
About Dow Corning
Dow Corning provides
performance-enhancing solutions to serve the diverse needs of more than 25,000
customers worldwide. A global leader in silicones,
silicon-based technology and innovation, Dow Corning offers more than 7,000
products and services via the company’s Dow
Corning® and XIAMETER® brands. Dow Corning is a
joint venture equally owned by The Dow Chemical Company and Corning,
Incorporated. More than half of Dow Corning’s annual sales are outside the
United States.
For further information, please direct inquiries to one of our media
representatives.
WE HELP YOU INVENT THE FUTURE.™
[1]According to 2006-2007 survey conducted by International Organisation of
Motoring Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA), France, the number of light commercial
vehicles and heavy trucks produced globally in the year 2007 was 16,143,329 and
3,456,271 respectively.
[2]The
term ‘green’ tires emerged in the tire industry in the 1990s when tire
engineers discovered that if they used silane-treated silica as reinforcing
filler in tread compounds, instead of the traditional carbon “black” tires,
rolling resistance was improved. A Life Cycle Assessment by the European
Association of the Rubber Industry determined that ‘green’ tires reduce the
impact on human health and the environment.
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