Goodyear converts rice waste to... silica?!
Rice husk waste once headed for landfills is now helping the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. produce fuel-efficient tires. Goodyear says it will utilize ash left over from the burning of rice husks to produce electricity as an environmentally friendly source of silica for use in its tires.
The company has tested silica derived from rice husk ash over the last two years at its Innovation Center in Akron, Ohio, and found its impact on tire performance to be equal to traditional sources. Goodyear is negotiating with potential suppliers to purchase rice husk ash silica for use in its tires.
“The use of rice husk ash will provide Goodyear an alternative source of silica while helping reduce the amount of rice husk waste being landfilled,” says Joseph Zekoski, interim chief technical officer.
Each year, more than 700 million tons of rice are harvested worldwide, according to the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, and disposing of the rice husks is an environmental challenge. As a result, husks often are burned to generate electricity and reduce the amount of waste shipped to landfills.
Silica is mixed with rubber in tire treads to increase the rubber’s strength and help reduce rolling resistance, which improves fuel economy. It also can have a positive impact on a tire’s traction on wet surfaces.
“Goodyear’s innovation efforts are focused on making tires more environmentally friendly -- in their materials, in their performance and in the manufacturing process,” says Zekoski. “For example, we continue to explore ways to increase the fuel efficiency of tires.
"We strive to help consumers keep their tires operating optimally, through innovations such as Air Maintenance Technology. And we look to renewable resources, including soy bean oil, to replace petroleum-based materials in tires.”
To learn more about Goodyear’s commitment to the environment, visit its corporate responsibility website at www.goodyear.com .
Related items
-
Swedish retreader adds Marangoni technology
Italy—Swedish retreader Dacknor A.B. has partnered with Marangoni Retreading Systems to upgrade its offerings, according to a release issued by Roverto-based... Read more -
Disreputable traders, illegal tyres – association shares part-worn experiences
Although the National Tyre Distributors’ Association would like to see them banned and TyreSafe implores motorists not to buy these products, around 4.5 million part-worn tyres are sold in the UK each year. The Local Government Association (LGA) has now also highlighted some of its members’ experiences with the sellers of used tyres, and cautions motorists to exercise caution when... Read more -
Sri Lanka’s largest fully integrated tire plant to be built with Rs11.25bn
Rigid Tyre Corporation (Pvt.) Ltd. Equipped with the latest technology, this new plant is destined to roll in a new page in the industrial sector of Sri Lanka. It comes with the healthy integration of political acumen, local entrepreneurship and proven European technology in the form of a world reputation – Marangoni of... Read more -
ATG’s Constellation truck tyre brand not coming to Europe, for now
Shortly after its acquisition by Yogesh Mahansaria and private equity company Warburg Pincus in 2007, the Alliance Tire Group (ATG) exited the car and truck tyre market and began building up a strong reputation as an off-road tyre... Read more -
Michelin Unveils New UHP Tire at NAIAS
Michelin introduced its newest ultra-high-performance tire – the MICHELIN Pilot® Sport 4 S – today at the North American International Auto Show. The product succeeds the MICHELIN® Pilot® Super Sport, which is widely recognized as the industry-leading ultra-high-performance tire for original equipment and replacement... Read more
social