Goodyear considers using rice husks to make tires

Associated Press

CLEVELAND

One of the world’s biggest tire manufacturers is taking another step toward more environmentally friendly production by incorporating a byproduct created by the burning of rice husks into a material used in high-end tires.

Akron-based Goodyear is embracing a technology that converts the ash that remains from burned rice husks into silica, which has been used in tire production for two decades.

When silica is added to a tire tread recipe, it helps reduce tires’ road resistance, a phenomenon that causes vehicle engines to work harder and consume more fuel. “Low-rolling resistance” tires made with silica also grip wet road surfaces better.

Goodyear’s efforts to reduce the amount of rice husk ash entering the waste stream will be modest given that between 700 million and 800 million tons of rice is harvested each year.

About 20 percent of a rice kernel is the inedible husk. Some larger rice mills have installed plants to burn husks to generate electricity, producing ash that is rich in silica.

Goodyear is working with companies in Asia to eventually process tens of thousands of tons of silica from rice-husk ash.

“It’s a start,” said Goodyear’s Surendra Chawla, senior director of external science and technology. “Hopefully it will grow over time.”

Most silica for tires is produced by incinerating sand at around 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit. Chawla said rice husk ash can be converted into usable silica for tires at only 212 degrees.