Automotive rubber compounds improve the tyres’ properties and boost their performance. An especially important consideration in all of this is the fact that the chemical properties must be exactly right. Lanxess manufactures neodymium-based performance butadiene rubber (Nd-PBR) and solution styrene butadiene rubber (SSBR), which is used in the sidewall and tread of a tyre. Nd-PBR enhances tyre performance in terms of lower rolling resistance and higher abrasion resistance and SSBR improves a tyre’s grip on wet roads. On average, 20-30% of a vehicle’s fuel consumption and 24% of its CO2 emissions are related to tyres – Nd-PBR and SSBR are therefore key ingredients in “Green Tyres”, which render vehicles to become more fuel-efficient, are longer-lasting and, above all, more environmentally-friendly. As one of the market leaders for Nd-PBR used in “Green Tyres”, Lanxess acknowledges that it is the fastest growing sector in the tyre industry, with an annual global growth rate of about 10%. Growth is even more pronounced in Asia at 13% per year(2). The demand for “Green Tyres” is being driven by the mobility megatrend, above all in the regions of Asia and Latin America, as the middle classes in these regions becomes more affluent. In addition, demand will be accelerated by tyre labelling being introduced around the world. In 2011, Lanxess commissioned a study with research firm Frost & Sullivan to examine how motorists in Singapore would benefit from “Green Tyres”. According to the study, the use of “Green Tyres” on all vehicles in Singapore would result in a saving of 357,468 tonnes of carbon dioxide, as well as 146 million l of fuel annually(3). The mandatory tyre labelling in the European Union (EU) was recently launched. Tyres will be graded from A to G according to their fuel efficiency and wet grip. Rolling noise is also measured.
PRA
NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2012
Therefore, the new legislation provides more transparency for consumers by highlighting the added value of “Green Tyres”. According to the Technical University of Munich, the market share of class A and B tyres in the EU is expected to reach 20-30% in 2017 and then rise further to 70-80% in 2022. Here in Asia, South Korea will lead the initiative with a similar labelling law that will officially commence on 1 December 2012. Aiding customers to prepare their products to meet these legislations globally, Lanxess recently introduced the AA concept tyre, which is among the first to be presented that would earn a double-A rating under the new EU labelling regulations. “A” rated tyres provide the most wet grip since cars equipped with such tyres need 18 to 21 m less to come to a standstill from a speed of 80 km/hour compared to “F”-rated tyres.
key differentiating criterion among top-ranked tyres. Traditionally, tyre makers have operated within the “magic triangle” design principle, where improvements in durability have always come at the expense of either poorer performance in terms of rolling resistance or wet grip. But now, Lanxess says that with its synthetic rubber, that is no longer the case. The German firm also produces high-quality halobutyl rubbers (Bromobutyl and Chlorobutyl) for the tyre industry. Having high impermeability to gases and liquids, halobutyl rubber is particularly useful in helping tyre inner liners stay air-tight and safe. A properly inflated tyre with sustained tyre pressure translates to reduced rolling resistance and therefore lower fuel consumption and lower carbon dioxide emissions, and also a longer service period for the tyre. Regular butyl has similar properties and is used in the inner tubes of tyres. Looking into the future is always a difficult business — not least for car manufacturers. For them, it would be ideal to have some idea about tomorrow's forms of transportation, if only so they could start talking about the kind of technology and investment this might require. Yet one thing is certain: innovative materials are set to play a crucial role, not only in building future vehicles, but doing so with less negative impact on the environment.
Notes:
Lanxess says its AA concept tyre enables it to offer materials that have already been subject to rigorous testing, allowing customers to bring new tyres to market faster and strengthen their competitive position
With this concept tyre, Lanxess intends to demonstrate the importance of its Nd-PBR to increase durability. Even though the latter will not be rated on the new EU tyre labels, it will be a
(1) According to Automotive Products Finder, May 2010 (2) According to study by Technical University of Munich on Tire Labeling and Green Tires, study inquired by LANXESS (3) Based on the recorded vehicle population of 932,046 in 2010 by the Land Transport Authority.