GoodYear Bio-based Tyres
The reason tyres are the only product that legally must be completely reused and recycled is because as they are made from oil-derived materials they do not break down and degrade. As this is bad for the environment both during production and after use, GoodYear and DuPont Industrial Biosciences have been working together to develop a new bio-based alternative. The new product Biolsopreneā¢ should help reduce both the tyre and rubber industries’ reliance on oil-derived products.
It will be a while before we have tyres made from this fitted to our cars, but the future is definitely look bright…and eco-friendly! However, the prototype tyre was shown at the 2012 Geneva International Motor Show on the GoodYear’s stand so things are moving forward. The venture between the two companies started in 2008, and are planning to move things ahead with investments in pilot plant operations and manufacturing infrastructure. The Biolsopreneā¢ product can be used in a range of other products aside from car tyres; products such as golf balls, surgical gloves and adhesives.