ExxonMobil to Open New Facility for Specialty Tyre Compounds

ExxonMobil Chemical Company has announced it will begin construction of a facility to manufacture new specialty elastomer compounds that can improve the durability of tyres, make them lighter weight by using less raw material and “significantly reduce fuel consumption.” Start-up of the plant is expected in early 2008 to satisfy demand for the products that combine the flexibility and elasticity of rubber with the low air permeability of plastic.

The plant will manufacture a dynamically vulcanized alloy (DVA) of proprietary Exxpro specialty elastomers and nylon. This new Exxpro-based alloy can be blown into films and used as the air barrier inner liner of tyres. ExxonMobil Chemical expects to commercialize the technology in late 2007. Exxpro marks the first major technology advancement to tire inner liner raw materials since ExxonMobil started producing halobutyl products in 1961.

According to the company, the tyre inner liners with the Exxpro-based alloy are up to one-fifth the gauge of a conventional halobutyl inner liner, leading to lighter weight tyres with improved rolling resistance. The new inner liner material has shown a 20 percent improvement in tire durability, and it also performs well in cold temperatures.

“These new inner liners allow up to 80 percent reduction in hydrocarbon based raw materials versus current inner liner technology,” Sullivan said. “This is a good example of how innovative polymer technologies can promote a sustainable future by reducing both motor fuel consumption and raw material usage.”

The initial market development facility for manufacturing will be located in Pensacola, Florida. The investment will fully leverage the company’s existing proprietary extrusion technology at this location. The facility will supply customers globally.

In 2004, ExxonMobil Chemical and Yokohama Rubber Company announced significant technical advancements in the area of Exxpro polymer and dynamically vulcanized alloy technology for tyre inner liners