Sumitomo Rubber to Introduce Low-Oil Tyres

Sumitomo Rubber Industries has developed a tyre that uses less synthetic rubber than normal. Approximately 55 per cent of the material in a conventional tyre, including synthetic rubber and other polymers, is petroleum-derived. The new Sumitomo tyre drops this down to around 30 per cent.

In addition to reducing the amount of synthetic rubber used, the manufacturer also plans to increase the share of genetically engineered natural rubber, which is made from the latex sap of the rubber tree, the Green Car Congress has reported.

Sumitomo says it has managed to maintain performance, although this has been made difficult by the fact that reducing the tyres synthetic rubber component meant increase the proportion of natural rubber. Sumitomo Rubber employed genetic engineering technology to alter the molecular structure of the rubber tree’s latex sap, making the structure closer to that of synthetic rubber.

The firm will market the tyre toward environmentally conscious consumers and expects the first sales to take place from 1 March 2006. The product will be sold through mass retailers and other routes, selling the product for use on hybrid vehicles. The company, which has developed three versions of the tyre, says it will aim for first-year sales of 20,000 units.