The process uses a novel chemical treatment and coprecipitation techniques developed over several years. It has been optimized for “scale-up and utilization in car tire products,” Luciano Tadielli, innovative materials researcher, Pirelli Tyre SpA, said at the DKT IRC conference, as reported by European Rubber Journal.
Lignin is a byproduct of the paper pulping industry. It will make up about 15% of the tire and essentially replace about half of the carbon black required as reinforcing filler.
The tires will go on sale by the end of the year but only be offered in one tire application in one tire size to start. “It is not like [adding] a new grade of carbon black, which is already a norm and can be swapped in one-to-one in different tire compounds,” Tadielli says.