The future of tires could mean using rubber made from plants, and it could happen within the next five years according to TechNewsDaily.
The technology is called BioIsoprene, which is produced by the Genencor division of Danisco.
While natural rubber is itself a bio-based product since it comes from trees, most tires are produced using synthetic rubber made of petroleum.
This increases the environmental footprint during manufacturing, and also poses issues for disposal since the tires are prone to fires in a landfill that produces black smoke.
Genencor manufactures the polymer by fermenting plants with microorganisms, so oil is not required. The company says its tires should last as long as petroleum-based ones and is investigating the use of BioIsoprene in other rubber products and adhesives.
more http://earth911.com/news/2010/03/31/goodyear-develops-tires-made-of-renewable-rubber/
Article courtesy of Trey Granger earth911.com
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