Dunlop Falken Unveil Low Petroleum Tyre

Sumitomo subsidiary Dunlop Falken Tyres Ltd has lifted the lid on a new, almost entirely non-petroleum tyre at the Tokyo Motor Show. Known as the “Enasave 97”, the new tyre is 97 per cent comprised of non-petroleum natural materials.

The proportion of petroleum materials used in the new tyre was able to be significantly cut through the use of materials other than synthetic rubber for its sidewall and airtight inner liner. Owing to the molecular structure of natural rubber, creating an airtight skin using this product is more difficult than with synthetic rubber, therefore a change in its structural composition was required before being deemed suitable for use. Similarly, before non-petroleum derived rubber could be utlised in the tyre’s bend-resistant sidewall the company was required to create a blend of natural and modified rubber to replace the synthetic component traditionally used. As these two rubbers did not blend easily a mixing method using vegetable oil was devised.

The tyre’s tread component includes a plant derived modifier that improves the rubber’s flexibility, allowing for grip and low rolling resistance. Rolling resistance is approximately 35 per cent of the company’s “EC201,” tyre, a product containing more than 50 per cent synthetic rubber. The Enasave 97, claims Dunlop Falken, can improve fuel economy by as much as seven per cent. A further environmental benefit is that, by increasing the rate of non-petroleum natural materials to 97 per cent, CO2 emissions during manufacturing can be reduced, and when end of life tyres are disposed of CO2 emissions can be reduced by up to 94 per cent compared with tyres made from petroleum materials.

The company reports that the new tyres will be released in March 2008.