The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company is harvesting some unique 'seeds' of innovation as it introduces a new tire technology with support from the United Soybean Board (USB), for developing a tire made from a natural resource.

The first commercial use of a new soybean oil-based rubber compound is helping Goodyear enhance tyre performance in dry, wet and winter conditions. A team of scientists and engineers from Goodyear have created a tread compound (or formulation) using soybean oil, which is naturally derived, cost-effective, carbon-neutral and renewable.

Recently, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company also was presented with the prestigious Tire Technology International Award for Innovation and Excellence in the category of 'Environmental Achievement of the Year' during the 2018 Tire Technology Expo in Hannover, Germany. 

“Our work with the United Soybean Board presented a unique challenge and opportunity for our material scientists and tire engineers to employ soybean oil in the development of superior performing tires,” said Chris Helsel, CTO, Goodyear. “It is exciting to see that work payoff with commercially successful products, and an honour to be recognised by the industry for the environmental achievement.”

By employing soybean oil in tyres, Goodyear has found a new way to help keep the rubber compound pliable in changing temperatures, a key performance achievement in maintaining and enhancing the vehicle’s grip on the road surface.

Goodyear’s states that test conducted by the company has shown that rubber made with soybean oil mixes more easily in the silica-reinforced compounds used in manufacturing certain tires. This also improves manufacturing efficiency and reduces energy consumption.

Goodyear cooperated on the project with the USB, a group of farmer-directors who oversee the investments of a checkoff program on behalf of all U.S. soybean farmers. The USB provided some funding support for the development of Goodyear’s soybean oil application in tires.

The commercialisation of soybean oil in tires as the latest technology breakthrough by Goodyear builds on the company’s other recent innovations, such as the use of silica derived from rice husk ash, another component Goodyear is using in certain consumer tires, along with current and past uses of components such as carbon fiber, DuPont's Kevlar, volcanic sand and more.

Goodyear employs approximately 65,000 people and manufactures products in 47 facilities across 21 countries globally. Its two Innovation Centers in Akron, Ohio and Colmar-Berg, Luxembourg develop state-of-the-art products and services.