In early June, after two years of testing at the Innovation Center in Akron, Ohio, USA , Goodyear announced an agreement with the Chinese company Yihai Food and Oil Industry to supply rice husks for the production of silica (silicon dioxide), the addition of which to tires is a proven way to reduce the impact on the environment. Silica is used as a reinforcing filler in tire rubber compounds and differs from conventional carbon black in its ability to reduce rolling resistance. Innovations will be introduced this year at the plant in Pulandian (China), and their results will be sold in China.
“Sustainability is a cornerstone of Goodyear's innovation efforts,” said Chairman and CEO Richard J. Kramer. “This new silica brings benefits in many ways: less waste in landfills, less energy required for production, tires more fuel efficient.”
Approximately 700 million tons of rice are produced each year around the world, and about 20% of this figure comes from rice husks, which are usually burned to generate electricity or thrown into landfills. Recent developments have made it possible to create materials from the ashes after burning and convert it into silica for the manufacture of high-quality car tires.