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Development and validation of ecologically sustainable tyres through life cycle enhancing technologies (ECO2 Tyre Tech)
Start date: Sep 1, 2010, End date: Mar 31, 2015 PROJECT  FINISHED 

Background Road transport generates more than 20% of all CO2 emissions in the EU, with passenger cars responsible for more than half of these emissions. The car industry has made progress in fulfilling its obligations under the voluntary agreement to market cars that emit less CO2 and, in doing so, has delivered a sizeable contribution to the EU’s strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Mandatory tyre pressure monitoring fitments on cars are important as tyre pressure can influence tyre rolling resistance (RR) and consequently fuel consumption. Tyre RR loss contributes to around 20% of the car fuel consumption and thus a 10% increase in RR translates to 2% increase in fuel consumption. As of 2012, performance regulation for tyres will set the minimum standards in RR and noise, which are the key impacting factors according to the tyre life cycle analaysis (LCA). Objectives The project will develop environmentally sustainable tyre concepts based on novel green material solutions and weight reducing tyre construction concepts. The ecological and economical benefits will be validated through the latest software versions of carbon footprint and life cycle impact calculation. The target is to enhance the environmental tyre performance by improving all life cycle stages of the activities involved during the manufacturing, use and recycling of the tyre. The project goals in relation to tyre manufacturing include: To introduce recyclate materials (derived from used rubber articles); To introduce novel renewable source materials (lignin); To introduce new chemicals for tyre vulcanisation and tyre ageing protection with no or reduced aqua-toxicity; The project goals on improving the tyre performance during use stage are: To reduce RR, thus resulting in less energy consumption; To improve tyre wear performance, reducing the amount of worn tyre particulate matter formed per kilometre. Expected results: 40% reduction in RR reduction; 25% reduction in the weight of the Goodyear premium brand average; 25% mileage improvement in the Goodyear premium brand average; A noise reduction in the range of 3 dBA (audible decibels) of the Goodyear premium brand average; 15% novel recycled and renewable material content in tyres and 30% in the raw material and tyre production; EOL (End of Life) with enhanced recycling outlets (30%).
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