Green efforts keep rolling with Techsyn development

ZAVENTEM, Belgium—Experts in the carbon black, silica-silane and carbon nanotube industries—all additives intended to improve performance, particularly in tires—have hinted at its existence, and now Bridgestone has announced it: Techsyn.

Raffaele Di Ronza, a research and development technician in Open Innovation for Bridgestone Europe, Russia, Middle East, India and Africa, said the platform has the potential to be a game-changer in the tire industry from both a sustainability and operational perspective.

At its core, Techsyn is an innovative tire technology that combines optimized synthetic rubber (specifically an SSBR compound) with highly engineered silica. The two entities meet and interact at the molecular level, Di Ronza said, and the result is a tire that "delivers unrivaled strength and environmental performance with no tradeoffs."

"The result is a tire that can go farther for longer, reduces overall fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, enhances tread mileage to extend the tire's designed life and cuts raw material consumption in the long term—overall providing a more sustainable driving experience," Di Ronza said.

To be marketed initially by Bridgestone EMIA in those regions, the technology is the result of a three-firm partnership, a triumvirate of big names in their respective fields—Bridgestone; Maastricht, Netherlands-based Arlanxeo; and Brussels, Belgium-based Solvay S.A.

While the chemical production giant Solvay provided unique silica developments for the polymer, the world's largest synthetic rubber producer, Arlanxeo, added its expertise in developing the solution-styrene butadiene rubber used in Techsyn's formation.

Silica (silicon dioxide) allows a studded tire to achieve low rolling resistance, thereby reducing fuel consumption and harmful emissions. Earlier, combining a high amount of natural rubber (hence the use of synthetic rubber in Techsyn's case) with a high amount of silica has been difficult. Silica often is used as a bonding agent in tires instead of carbon black, though Di Ronza noted that a small amount of carbon black was used in this development.

Synthetic rubber and silica are just two of the ingredients used in Techsyn, as additional materials also were engineered into the polymer.

Bridgestone essentially then combined Solvay and Arlanxeo's filler and rubber, respectively.

"This exceptional cooperation and understanding between the three companies, combined with a profound knowledge of molecular mechanisms, demonstrates just what can be achieved through close collaboration and an open-minded approach," Di Ronza said. "The development was a joint effort of the three parties involved."

As has been the case for tires since Charles Goodyear's success with industrial-scale vulcanization in 1844, the performance triangle of abrasion resistance (wear), traction (wet grip) and rolling resistance is a fickle thing. Throughout the history of tires, the points of the triangle have been difficult to improve in unison—a dynamic that generally remained that way until the modern era of technologically improved additives.

According to Bridgestone, Techsyn is one of those breakthroughs for tires, boasting 30-percent better wear efficiency, as well as rolling resistance that Bridgestone says has been reduced by up to 6 percent, compared to traditional Bridgestone EMIA summer products.

"Techsyn demonstrates what can be achieved when key actors in the value chain join forces," Solvay CEO Ilham Kadri said. "To protect our one and only planet, we must reinvent, collaborate and co-construct solutions to design tomorrow's cleaner mobility. I'm proud of all the teams who contributed to this project, in particular the speed with which they brought this innovation to market."

Designed in just 24 months, Bridgestone, Arlanxeo and Solvay were able to bring Techsyn from "concept to reality" in less time than the typical 36-month efforts traditionally found between two-party collaborations.

Techsyn initially is intended for use in passenger car tires, though Di Ronza said Bridgestone is eyeing mass production for various tire and vehicle categories. Additional geographic markets—such as North America—could be added in the future, as well.

"At the onset of the project, the parties aimed to deliver a strong material that would have the potential to reduce overall fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, enhance tread mileage to extend a tire's designed life and cut raw material consumption in the long term," Di Ronza said. "We are focusing on applications for this type of (passenger) vehicle, and additional details will be shared in due course."

Sustainability, the companies say, was the driving force in Techsyn's development. Bridgestone has the stated goal of becoming a sustainable solutions company by 2050.

"New automotive trends and sustainability are always at the forefront of our mind when developing premium tires and solutions," Di Ronza said.

And the new technology can assist those efforts in both traditional internal combustion engines as well as electric vehicles.

"Techsyn can benefit both traditional combustion engines by reducing fuel consumption but equally by extending the battery range in electrical vehicles," he said. "An open innovation approach with strategic partners will ensure an innovative ecosystem that will help drive the industry forward into a sustainable future of mobility. Techsyn is a primary example of how combining knowledge and expertise from various companies can unlock true potential."

The contribution to a greener world was not lost on Arlanxeo CEO Donald Chen.

"We have been able to develop a new technology platform that offers new ways to address challenges specific to the tire industry," he said in a press release. "Tires made with Techsyn contribute to reduced CO2 emissions. Therefore this technology makes a significant contribution to improving environmental aspects, which is at the heart of the shared vision for sustainable product solutions held by the three companies."

Laurent Dartoux, Bridgestone EMIA president and CEO, said the Techsyn development is one of the most unique breakthroughs he has witnessed.

"Through developing environmentally driven solutions like Techsyn, we're making great progress on delivering against that ambition," he said.