Trinseo sees magic triangle in tires ‘evolving’

Istanbul – Shifting environmental, political, social, demographic and purchasing trends are likely to bring about changes in the ‘magic triangle’ which defines the key features of a tire, according to Trinseo SA.

Furthermore, the drive for high fuel-efficiency, as well as CO2 emissions reduction will keep low rolling resistance high on the agenda, together with sustainability, she said at the Global Synthetic Rubber and Tyre Market Conference.

Organised by ChemCourier, the conference focused on the regional outlook of feedstocks and styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), with discussions around future challenges to the tire industry.

“It is likely the magic triangle will evolve depending on the segment and specification of tire application,” she noted in a presentation at the event staged in Istanbul earlier in April.

For example, developed geographies will tend to focus on low rolling resistance, tread-wear and sustainability.

Here, niche segments such as enthusiast passionate drivers might add handling as key.

More mainstream segments in developing countries will instead consider low rolling resistance, cost and grip, she added.

Cioanca went on to say that synthetic rubber producers need to have a closer understanding of the challenges the customer is confronted with and develop a “profusion of solutions.”

For instance, while highly functional S-SBR is generally a must-have solution to guarantee performance advantages, the material is more difficult to process compared to other solutions.

Trinseo’s response to such challenges and to mitigate higher CO2 emissions generated by a rise in the SUV market, include a recently-launched multi-functionalised SSBR.

The “innovative, easy-to-process” polymer is said to provide “substantial improvements” in low rolling resistance for SUVs.