At CES 2023 in Las Vegas, Goodyear showed off their latest innovation in tires-a 90 percent sustainable tire, as reported by Electrek.
(Photo : FRANCOIS WALSCHAERTS/AFP via Getty Images)
A picture shows a non-pneumatic tyre (NPT), an airless tyres, during the presentation of the NPT tyre of Goodyear in Colmar-Berg, Luxembourg, on May 17, 2022.
Sustainable Tires for the Future
The new tire is made from sustainable materials with a lower rolling resistance compared to a reference tire. This is not the first time Goodyear has made their tires sustainable. It can be recalled that last year, the firm also introduced a 70 percent sustainable tire at CES 2022.
The latest sustainable tire contains 17 ingredients across 12 components and has passed their internal testing and all applicable regulatory testing. Recycled materials and natural compounds are some of the ingredients included in the tire.
In addition, they used plant-based oil and end-of-life tires for carbon. They also used soybean oil that will keep the rubber pliable even in changing temperatures, while silica from rice husk waste is used to help improve the grip and reduce fuel consumption. Goodyear also used recycled polyester and steel cords and renewable pine tree resin that can help improve traction.
The company is already utilizing sustainable materials in some of their tires, and it seems that soybean oil is a common ingredient to most of them.
Fully Sustainable Tires by 2030
Being able to develop a 90 percent tire only means Goodyear has little to go to accomplish a fully sustainable tire, and that's what they're aiming for. The company aims to the first fully sustainable tire by 2030.
With a fully sustainable tire, it will be able to perform better in wet weather, wear and tear, fuel consumption, and aging. In addition to all these, it will also be lightweight making it easier for the vehicle to travel at higher speeds and will have enhanced grip to the road.
The Race is On
The race for the most sustainable tire is on, and Goodyear is not the only one in the game. Michelin's 2017 X One Earth concept tire showed that it is possible to be fully sustainable with a recyclable and bio-based tire. Aside from Michelin, there are other companies that are creating their own sustainable tires. Bridgestone, for example, has two sustainable tires in the market, along with several in the market.
Goodyear is ahead of the pack with their latest 90 percent tire, and with their goal to achieve a fully sustainable tire by 2030, it is likely they will be the first. However, there are still a lot of work to do when it comes to a fully sustainable tire, including having to make one that is cost-effective.
What do you think of Goodyear's plans to create a fully sustainable tire?
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