Nanomaterials

The development of new nanomaterials in tires could result in significant benefits for customers, the environment and societies more generally. Potential fields of improvement include increased car and truck fuel efficiency and durability, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions and tire weight.

However, TIP member companies understand the need to ensure that any nanomaterial use or development is safe for humans and the environment. For this reason, the group created a working group in mid 2010 to look into this issue.

The work carried out so far includes:

  • A Stakeholder Mapping, to define key players involved in developing nanomaterials regulation;
  • A Bibliographic study on nanomaterials and tires (October 2011) to analyze the current situation;
  • The release of a paper on Reinforcing Fillers in the Rubber Industry: Assessment as Potential Nanomaterials with a Focus on Tires (September 2011).

The next steps for the project in 2012-2013, as agreed during the last TIP CEO meeting on October 7, 2011, will be:

  • The development of an industry-specific environment, health and safety best practices guide for the research, development and industrialization of new nanomaterials. TIP is exploring the development of this guide in collaboration with the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD);
  • The development of a case study, also possibly in collaboration with the OECD, on the societal advantages of the development and use of advanced nanomaterials by the tire industry;
  • A sampling study in factories on carbon black and silica.

More information on this work will be posted on this website once it is available.

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