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.