Versalis, Chinese firms to develop “innovative” green tires

Milan, Italy – Versalis (Eni), and two Mesnac companies; Ecombine and EVE Rubber Institute; have agreed to develop an innovative technology for high performance green tires, announced an Eni press release on 3 July.

Versalis’ know-how in synthetic rubbers, said the statement, will play a key role in making “a breakthrough generation of tires”, based on proprietary solution styrene butadiene rubber (S-SBR) and butadiene rubber (Nd-HCBR) technologies.

The partnership will integrate Versalis’ elastomer technologies with EVE’s ATCM – advanced technology for compound manufacturing – which is focused on making advanced elastomer compounds for tires.

The agreement aims to generate a “joint technology platform” which will offer new materials with enhanced mechanical performance and environment-friendly features.

“In the tire business, R&D is focused on meeting the ever-growing customer requirements in terms of performances and environmental sustainability.

“This new partnership… will be a real game changer within the tire landscape,” said Daniele Ferrari, CEO of Versalis.

“During the past 30 years… China has shifted from labour-intensive manufacturing to high-tech and high-end manufacturing… It is imperative that China should improve product quality and focus on innovation,” said Yuan Zhongxue, chairman of Mesnac.

“Ecombine will cooperate with Versalis in key and major techniques, introducing SSBR and BR. Our cooperation will facilitate the transition of SSBR and BR from raw materials to mass application.

“EVE rubber institute will cooperate with Versalis in solvent recycling. The cooperation between the three parties will benefit the development of the green tire industry and improve the creativity and core competence of elastomers,” concluded Yuan Zhongxue.