AUTONEWS

Stellantis to use eggshells to make tires

Stellantis is exploring a curious innovation to make tires more sustainable: using eggshells as part of the rubber composition.

The company has filed a patent that proposes extracting calcium oxide (CaO) from discarded shells and using it to partially replace carbon black and silica, materials traditionally used in tire manufacturing.

The patent application was submitted to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in mid-2023, but was only published in late January this year.

The idea may seem unusual, but there are good reasons for this approach.

First, eggshells are a renewable and widely available resource, helping to reduce waste and divert organic waste from landfills.

Additionally, replacing fossil fuel-derived chemicals with natural materials can reduce the environmental impact of tire production.

But there are technical benefits too. According to Stellantis, the addition of calcium oxide can improve rolling resistance and grip on wet surfaces, contributing to greater energy efficiency.

The company claims that tires containing this material can reduce rolling resistance by up to 20% and improve fuel efficiency by about 3% when compared to conventional tires made with carbon black.

Carbon black, in addition to darkening the rubber in tires, plays a crucial role in chemical stabilization, heat dissipation and wear resistance. However, it is a byproduct of the burning of hydrocarbons, a highly polluting process.

Recent research indicates that tire degradation generates more pollutants than vehicle exhaust gases themselves, and is one of the main sources of microplastics in oceans and waterways.

The CaO extraction process proposed by Stellantis involves exposing eggshells to temperatures above 900°C, transforming them into a fine powder that can be incorporated into the rubber composition.

However, details about the economic viability, production costs and the impact of this innovation on the appearance and durability of the tires have not yet been released.

If this technology proves viable, it could represent an important step towards reducing the environmental impact of tires, an essential but highly polluting component of automobiles.

It remains to be seen whether the idea will come to fruition and whether, in the future, we will be driving around the streets with tires reinforced with eggshells.

-Greener Tires, advantages

FCA highlights several benefits of using calcium oxide as a replacement filler material in tires:

Improved Performance: Reduces rolling resistance while enhancing wet-road grip, balancing these benefits with strong abrasion resistance and wear characteristics.

Resource Efficiency: Offers a more sustainable use of resources by incorporating bio-waste.

Eco-Friendly Recycling: Creates a feasible recycling path for eggshells, reducing landfill waste.

Fuel Savings: Lower rolling resistance contributes to reduced fuel consumption, enhancing efficiency.

Safer Driving: Enhanced wet-weather grip adds an important safety edge.

-Unanswered Questions

While the concept has clear advantages, FCA has yet to address some key details:

Color Concerns: Will the traditional black appearance of tires be retained by including some carbon black, or will alternative dyes be introduced? The market strongly prefers black tires, except in niche markets like drifting.

Processing Steps: The company has not revealed how the calcium oxide will be extracted from eggshells or processed for tire manufacturing.

Despite these unanswered questions, FCA’s innovation presents a promising solution that improves both tires’ performance and their green credentials.

Mundoquatrorodas