Introduction
Innovation for improving sustainability and reducing the environmental impact is now a part of every industry. Both consumers and manufacturers have understood the importance of a greener environment. Even in the automotive industry the manufacturing processes are taking turns towards a greener and more sustainable side and the raw materials being utilized are less harmful.
Among various parts of the vehicle, tires have also seen immense advancement in terms of sustainability and eco-friendliness. Consumers and industries have understood the need to reduce their carbon footprint, and that’s where environmentally friendly tire options come in! This detailed guide will explore the concept of eco-friendly tires and how the green technology used in manufacturing impacts sustainability. Lets dive in!
Eco-friendly Tires | An Innovation for Sustainability
Do you know how a conventional tire is made? It is a combination of various materials such as natural and synthetic rubber, chemicals, additives, and a huge amount of energy in the form of fuel during the production process. On the other hand, eco-friendly tires, also known as environmentally friendly tires, contain recyclable material and have specific unique attributes such as low-rolling resistance, lesser carbon dioxide emissions, and hence decreased fuel consumption. These tires are engineered in such a way as to provide a reduced carbon footprint from production to disposal.
Sustainable Manufacturing of Eco-Friendly Tires
The first aspect of eco-friendly tires being sustainable is the manufacturing process. These tires utilize certain materials in the manufacturing process that make these tires a greener solution compared to the conventional ones.
Natural Rubber— Traditional tires are made of synthetic rubber material that needs to undergo various chemical reactions before coming into its original shape. Hence, they waste a lot of fuel and energy. On the other hand, eco-friendly or green tires are manufactured with natural rubber (polyisoprene). Natural rubber can be derived from the latex white liquid dripping from tropical and subtropical trees. Hence, eco-friendly tires are considered sustainable in manufacturing and produce less harmful substances even during production.
Recycled Materials— Some brands utilize recycled materials to produce eco-friendly tires, which reduces the number of resources needed. For example, using plastic bottles to create a polymer that can further reinforce the tire structure can greatly reduce the carbon footprint.
Silica from Natural Resources— Silica was derived from the sand through a conventional process that uses a lot of energy and is not considered environmentally friendly. The tire industry has always been looking for new ways to design and manufacture tires to reduce the negative environmental impact. For example, Silica filler technology has been adopted by most tire brands to produce environmentally friendly tires with reduced heat generation. Silica can also be obtained from the rice husk (an agricultural waste) to reduce the carbon footprint.
Green Manufacturing of Eco-Friendly Tires
Not only the raw material but also the manufacturing technology can be regarded as green or safer for the environment. Here’s how it is contributing towards a sustainable and better environment.
Improved Energy Efficiency
The manufacturing process involved in producing eco-friendly tires can reduce the carbon footprint while reducing the amount of energy and fuel needed. Additionally, the cutting-edge machinery involved in tire production can be operated on solar or wind power to reduce carbon emissions.
Less Volatile Organic Compounds
As mentioned earlier, the production process of traditional tires involves using chemicals and synthetic materials that undergo intense chemical reactions and release a large amount of volatile organic compounds. The eco-friendly tires utilize certain raw materials and a green manufacturing process with improved chemical formulations and reduced VOCs released.
Benefits of Eco-Friendly Tires
Let’s explore some of the benefits of Eco-friendly tires in terms of environmental impact as well as performance.
Reduced Rolling Resistance
Tires experience a resistive force (or a force required to move the vehicle from a standstill position or keep it in motion) due to friction of the road called rolling resistance. Eco-friendly tires have a unique tread pattern, which reduces the rolling resistance. A decreased rolling resistance of 10% can improve the fuel economy by 1-2%, as per the U.S. Transportation Research Board[1].
Safer for Environment
Eco-friendly tires use a specialized rubber material derived from natural resources that doesn’t need to undergo various chemical reactions and, hence, is safer in terms of production and degradation. Eco-friendly tires will produce less harmful substances during the process of wear and tear.
Fuel Efficient & Less Carbon Emissions
Not only do you get improved fuel economy and save some bucks, but you also reduce carbon emissions. These tires are designed in such a way as to lower the rolling resistance and hence lower the fuel consumption, which in turn cuts down the carbon footprint and contributes to global warming.
Superior Performance
Many of you might think of eco-friendly tires as an inferior choice in terms of performance, but that’s not the case. These tires can have a dual impact; for example, eco-friendly, quiet off-road tires can have characteristics such as sustainability as well as a quiet ride experience
Additionally, these tires involve advanced manufacturing processes and certain raw materials that can greatly improve the road’s traction, grip, and stability. Moreover, these tires can perform better on icy and wet roads as well. Not only will it enhance the driving experience by offering better manoeuvrability, but it will also increase overall safety.
Conclusion
Eco-friendly tires are sustainable— from production to usage. An eco-friendly tire doesn’t contain unsafe substances from its production phase, reduces fuel consumption with lowered rolling resistance, and provides easy disposal without emitting harmful substances. Ongoing research and experimentation are bringing innovations with each passing day. Some challenges are faced by eco-friendly tire manufacturers, such as higher costs of raw materials, fewer latex-producing trees, and some technological limitations that need to be overcome in the future.
REFERENCE
[1]. https://news.umich.edu/low-resistance-tires-improve-fuel-economy/
