Elastomers for Sustainability: Techsyn back on top

London – The Elastomers for Sustainabilty (E4S) initiative aims to identify materials science-based R&D projects that could significantly improve the environmental performance of the elastomers/rubber industry.

The E4S programme tracks these projects, hopefully, right through to full-scale commercialisation – not an easy task, especially where developments for the often-guarded tire industry are involved.

Back in July 2021, Techsyn topped the E4S table with its development of a tire technology platform combining optimised synthetic rubbers from Arlanxeo with tailor-made silica from Solvay and improved mixing technology from Bridgestone.

Targets then included mass production of a summer tire with up to 30% improved wear properties and 6% lower rolling resistance than conventional equivalents, while maintaining other performance parameters.

Now, as reported in recent press releases from Bridgestone, the Techsyn platform has hit the road with the incorporation of the tire technology in a commercial tire compound.

Bridgestone’s new Turanza 6 tire employs “cutting-edge and sustainable” Techsyn materials along with other related technologies to improve fuel-efficiency, wet-handling and durability, while also reducing tire weight.

Use of Techsyn along with Enliten light-weighting technology 'for the first time ever' on a Bridgestone replacement tire is stated to deliver “best-in-class tire performance with a step-change towards sustainability compared with previous generations.”

The launch of the Turanza 6, therefore, seems to represent a significant breakthrough for a technology highlighted in its early stages within the E4S programme.

See the full E4S 7 report and rankings in the May/June issue of European Rubber Journal magazine or the online ‘Featured content’ version via the 'Focus' tab on the ERJ homepage.