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New Patent Proposes Replacing Traditional Materials with Organic Waste to Make Tires More Sustainable
Stellantis is developing an innovative solution to make tire production more sustainable: using eggshells in the rubber composition. The idea, which may seem unusual, has already been registered in a patent submitted to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and published at the end of January this year, according to the Automotive News website.
The proposal involves extracting calcium oxide (CaO) from discarded eggshells to partially replace carbon black and silica – materials traditionally used in tire manufacturing, but that have a significant environmental impact.
Why Use Eggshells in Tires?
The use of eggshells as raw material offers both ecological and technical advantages. Being an abundant and renewable waste, they help reduce waste and prevent tons of organic residue from ending up in landfills.
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Additionally, replacing fossil fuel-based products with natural components can reduce the automotive sector’s carbon footprint.
Technical Benefits of the New Composition
According to Stellantis, the addition of calcium oxide can bring improvements in tire performance. Among the main benefits noted are:
✔️ Lower Rolling Resistance – can reduce friction by up to 20%, increasing vehicle efficiency.
✔️ Greater Fuel Economy – the company estimates a reduction of up to 3% in energy consumption.
✔️ Better Grip on Wet Surfaces – can contribute to safer driving.
Challenges and Future of the Technology
Carbon black, currently used in tire production, has essential functions such as wear resistance and heat dissipation. However, it is a byproduct of burning hydrocarbons, a highly polluting process.
Stellantis proposes a process for extracting CaO that involves heating the eggshells to temperatures above 900°C, transforming them into a fine powder that can be incorporated into rubber.
Despite the novelty, the economic solutions and the impact of the change on tire durability have not yet been disclosed. If this technology comes to fruition, it could represent a significant advance in reducing pollution caused by the automotive sector.
Do you trust tires made with eggshells? Comment and share this innovation!
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