ROVERTO, Italy—Retread industry supplier Marangoni S.p.A. has agreed to collaborate with fellow Italian firm Directa Plus S.p.A. on developing a range of graphene-based tread rubber compounds for truck and bus tread rubber.
The firms said the agreement calls for them to work together to develop a propriety version of Directa's Graphene Plus (G+) technology to improve the performance of Marangoni's retreading compounds. Rovereto-based Marangoni said it expects incorporating Directa's G+ materials into its tread rubber will improve the performances and lifespan of retreaded tires by increasing grip, durability and fuel efficiency.
The company said the agreement is "built on a shared vision of combining scientific innovation with a leading edge tire technology."
Graphene is described as a nanomaterial, a honeycomb sheet of carbon atoms. It is the building block of graphite and is considered a strong and conductive material that can be used in applications ranging from aerospace engineering to digital electronics and biomedicine.
Marangoni said Directa Plus' graphene-based products are "natural, chemical-free, sustainably produced and tailored to specific customer requirements for commercial applications such as smart textiles, tires, composite materials and environmental solutions."
Marangoni CEO Dino Maggioni said the collaboration "is aimed at doing a quantum leap for the performance of our retreading solutions by perfecting the use of graphene. After a comprehensive exploration of the existing technology providers, we found a perfect alignment with Directa Plus."
Maggioni said working with Directa Plus will allow Marangoni to shorten time to market for its products "in our quest of providing products having superior durability and rolling resistance as well as outreach our environmental sustainability roadmap."
Directa Plus CEO Giulio Cesareo said Marangoni's approach to retreading aligns with its core principle of using technology to promote environmental sustainability.
"This is why we are excited to demonstrate how the positive benefits of G+ can further improve Marangoni's truck tire retreading compounds."