Tire makers shift to greener materials

Japanese tire makers are shifting their focus to newer, greener materials, as weak demand and intensifying competition from low-cost rivals are causing them to rethink their decade-long dependency on petroleum. Bridgestone is currently conducting work aimed at genetically improving rubber trees, involving placing new genes in plant cells to develop varieties that can offer higher yields, better disease-resistance and faster growth. Sumitomo has already developed the Enasave tire, comprised of 97% non-oil materials. President Tetsuji Mino says that 100%-natural tires “will be our first step into the next 100 years.” Yokohama Rubber Co., meanwhile, has developed a tire made of 80% non-oil materials, including natural rubber and orange oil. (September 24, 2009)