Goodyear’s soy-based tyre technology earns award

The Goodyear tyre and rubber company has been presented with the prestigious Tyre Technology International Award for Innovation and Excellence during the 2018 Tyre Technology Expo in Germany.

The technology, lauded as the “environmental achievement of the year”, represents a breakthrough by Goodyear in applying soybean oil in the tread compound of tyres as a replacement for traditional petroleum oil.

Chris Helsel, Goodyear’s chief technology officer, commented: “Our work with the United Soybean Board presented a unique challenge and opportunity for our material scientists and tyre engineers to employ soybean oil in the development of superior performing tyres.”

Over the past few years, Goodyear worked with the United Soybean Board to develop soy-based technology to enhance tyre performance. Following extensive analysis and road testing, this new technology is now being used in new Goodyear tyres.

Goodyear discovered that soybean oil could improve tyre flexibility at low temperatures, helping the rubber to remain pliable in cold weather and enhancing traction in rain and snow simultaneously. Additionally, Goodyear discovered that soybean oil mixes more easily with rubber compounds and reduces energy consumption, therefore improving tyre manufacturing efficiency.

“It is exciting to see that work pay off with commercially successful products, and it’s an honour to be recognised by the industry for the environmental achievement,” Helsel said.