Spanish scientists at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid have developed a modular tire design with a removable silicone tread to address recycling challenges. Traditional tire recycling is labor-intensive, often leading to tires being discarded in landfills. The new design allows for easier recycling, as the silicone tread, which comprises about 20% of the tire’s weight, can be separately removed and processed.
Key Innovations:
- Silicone Tread: The silicone used in the tread exhibits significantly less wear compared to traditional rubber and can incorporate sensors for “smart” tire features.
- Microplastic Reduction: By using non-traditional polymers for the rest of the tire, the design may help mitigate microplastic pollution caused by rubber wear.
The prototype has demonstrated promising results in laboratory tests, achieving performance levels comparable to conventional tires. Although there are still steps to industrial implementation, the research paves the way for more sustainable tire solutions.
For further details, you can view the research published in Applied Sciences and watch an overview video here.
