Goodyear claims soybean oil can improve tread life by 10%

ERJ staff report (LMH)

Akron, Ohio -- The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. claims that it has discovered a development that could help consumers and the environment by reducing the amount of petroleum-based oil used in tyres, while at the same time, extending tread life.

Goodyear researchers at the company's Innovation Center have found in their tests that using soybean oil in tyres can potentially increase tread life by 10 percent and reduce the tyremaker's use of petroleum-based oil by up to seven million gallons each year.

In addition, testing at Goodyear's tyre plant in Lawton, Oklahoma showed improved mixing capabilities in the manufacturing process. The company found that rubber compounds made with soybean oil blend more easily with the silica used in building tyres. This can improve plant efficiency and reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

"Goodyear is committed to caring for the environment and communities, and use of soybean oil is proving to be another way to accomplish this goal," said Jean-Claude Kihn, Goodyear's chief technical officer. "Consumers benefit through improved tread life, Goodyear gains with increased efficiency and energy savings and we all win whenever there is a positive impact on the environment."

Prototype tyres built in Lawton will be tested at Goodyear's Proving Grounds in San Angelo, Texas in the coming months. If indicators remain positive, Goodyear expects consumers will be able to purchase tyres made with soybean oil as early as 2015.

The United Soybean Board (USB) is helping fund the Goodyear project with a grant of $500 000 over two years. Goodyear will display a tyre made with soybean oil, 6-7 August at The Ford Motor Co.'s research center in Dearborn, Michigan, as part of an event sponsored by the USB.

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Press release from Goodyear