Tires are one of the most important components of a vehicle’s performance. However, due to daily usage the surface tread wears down over the years, resulting in less adhesion and a higher risk of ruptures and blowouts. This implies that when Tires wear down to a particular degree, they must be replaced, which has caused numerous issues for a long time. With the growing number of vehicles every day, the number of worn-out tires is also growing, which eventually contributes to pollution and landfill. In order to minimize the environmental impact of tires, manufacturers around the world are aiming towards producing eco-friendly tires made of sustainable materials. A sustainable tire is ideal for preventing the issues of excessive tire waste and pollution that are produced from non-disposable tires.

A glimpse into green tire technology

A vehicle’s various components contribute to the environmental impact that these devices have. Tires, on the other hand, are one of the most important components that may influence the environment. Their operating capabilities are linked to an automobile’s fuel consumption and can result in waste that is harmful to the environment if not addressed.

Tires are critical to achieving a more sustainable environment through the use of automobiles. Major tire production companies across the world are constantly exploring new ways to develop tires that improve vehicle performance while reducing ecological impact. Green technology is undeniably changing the worldwide automotive industry, as evidenced by the growing adoption of electric and hybrid vehicles. Green technology is just as important for tires as it is for automobiles. Green tires are developed with lightness and aerodynamics in consideration, which is critical for maintaining good traction on the road.

Green tire manufacturing, which includes both low rolling resistance (LRR) and tires made from sustainable materials, is a rapidly expanding segment of the global tire industry. The sector’s rapid expansion is due to the development in the tire market, but also to society’s rising awareness of sustainability.

The rolling resistance of a tire affects fuel consumption; hence, eco-friendly tires are designed to lower it. Friction is created when a tire treads on a surface. The more friction there is, the more fuel is used. However, because of their lower rolling resistance, vehicles equipped with green tires spend less fuel when driving.

Modification of natural rubber’s long-term viability

Synthetic rubber, which isn’t the most environmentally friendly substance on the planet, is used to make tires. That is why tire producers are striving to find raw materials that have been responsibly processed. The majority of them have switched to Natural Rubber, which is a more environmentally friendly form of the principal raw material they use.

The tire production requires billions of dollars’ worth of natural rubber each year, with small farmers producing over 85% of it. As a result, improving natural rubber’s production system is a primary objective to ensure that the tire industry has a steady supply of this environmentally friendly raw material. That’s why, in 2018, the Global Framework for Sustainable Natural Rubber (GPSNR) launched a platform to determine the natural rubber value chain.

Despite the fact that most businesses do not have or administer rubber tree farms, many are involved in natural rubber tree cultivation. The definition of the GPSNR platform enables the economic, ecological, and environmental sustainability of the natural rubber production chain, ensuring enough availability for the tire sector. Because the majority of manufacturers do not own or operate natural rubber plantations or processing factories, they have made the effort to exclusively engage with suppliers who follow environmental sustainability standards. 

Top sustainable initiatives taken by manufacturers

• AdvanZtech by Giti Tire:  Giti Tire has always been focused on providing environmental protection and encouraging ethical growth that will contribute to society. Advanztech by Giti is a dedicated technology that helps Giti Tire make the difference in the major areas of driving experience. With the help of green technology, Giti offers fuel-efficient passenger car tires as well as truck tires. Due to the fuel efficiency, these tires also contribute to environmental costs. This technology by Giti helps reduce air emissions, water wastage, and scrap materials.
• VISION by Michelin: Michelin uses recycled and biosourced materials that minimise the carbon footprint of the tires. Materials used in manufacturing these tires include natural rubber, butadiene using biomass like rice husks and waste wood, regenerated stirene from polystirene wastage, and more.
• Conti GreenConcept by Continental: Conti GreenConcept is all about combining existing and advanced technology to produce sustainable passenger car tires as well as light truck tires. Most of the tires using this technology are based on renewable and recycled materials like bio-mass materials from dandelions, rice husks, resins, and vegetable oils. Using such materials in the manufacturing process significantly limits the usage of petroleum-based materials.