Goodyear Develops Rice Husk Ash Silica

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company recently announced the successful development of a new technology to extract silica from the ashes of rice husks burned for power generation to produce fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly tires.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, more than 700 million tons of rice are harvested globally every year, and the husks are usually burned to generate electricity. Over the past two years, the Goodyear Center for Innovation and Technology has focused on technology research to extract silica from rice husk ash, significantly reducing waste sent to landfill, thereby positively impacting the environment. Mixing silica with rubber to make tire treads increases the strength of the rubber, which helps reduce rolling resistance and improves fuel efficiency. Silica can also improve the wet grip performance of tires, giving drivers a sense of security while enjoying excellent handling.