Arlanxeo to launch self-sealing tyre compound

Synthetic elastomer manufacturer Arlanxeo has developed a rubber compound for use in self-sealing tyres. Tests are now being peformed on the compound with a number of partners, and Arlanxeo says that following the conclusion of this testing the compound will be launched on the market later this year.

“With our development, we are giving an important impulse for the mobility of tomorrow,” says Frank Lückgen, global marketing director ‘Tire’ in Arlanxeo’s Tire & Specialty Rubbers business unit. “As a spare tyre and the corresponding tools are no longer required, the weight of the vehicle and subsequently also its energy consumption are further reduced. In the case of electric vehicles, this can result in a longer range, for example.”

The compound developed by Arlanxeo is applied on the interior of the tyre and can automatically and immediately seal holes caused by nails or other sharp objects. “To ensure that our compound can guarantee optimal sealing in any climate zone regardless of the speed a vehicle is traveling, we are currently carrying out further tests under extreme conditions following successful laboratory tests,” says Matthias Gotta, head of global sales and marketing in the Tire & Specialty Rubbers business unit. “Even in the case of strongly fluctuating external temperatures, the tyres should be sealed in the same quality.”