Goodyear Using Rice Husk Ash in Tire Compounds

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. says it will use rice husk ash in place of silica as an ingredient in its tire treads.

Rice husks are routinely burned to produce electricity. But the ash residue left behind still must be sent to landfills. Goodyear researchers say two years of testing shows that silica derived from the ash performs as well as traditional silica.

Tiremakers use silica in treads to strengthen the tread, enhance wet grip and reduce rolling resistance.

Goodyear says it is in talks with would-be suppliers of rice husk ash. The company did not indicate when it will begin blending the ash into its tires, which tires will get the material or how many tires it expects to produce with the new process.