Technology to produce tires from rice husk ash

The effect of husk ash on tire performance may be comparable to that used in tire production today.

The trout obtained after burning the rice hull can produce electricity as an environmentally friendly source of silica. Typically, silica blends are mixed with rubber to produce tires to increase endurance and reduce rolling resistance for tires, thus saving fuel. This technology also increases the grip of tires on wet surfaces.

Goodyear has been experimenting with silica derived from rice husk ash for two years at the creative center. The results show that the effect of husk ash on tire performance is comparable to that of traditional materials. The company is negotiating with potential suppliers to buy silica husk ash for tire production.

"The application of rice husk ash will provide us with alternative sources, and at the same time reduce the amount of rice husks ash to landfills each year," said Joseph Zekoski, technical director of Goodyear .

Previously, the company studied renewable energy sources, including soybean oil, to replace oil-based materials in tires.

According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the world harvested more than 700 million tonnes of rice annually and finding a place to handle hulls was a problem. Hence, husks are often used to produce electricity to reduce the amount of waste dumped into the landfill.

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