More efficient tires thanks to silica

Solvay Silica is unveiling Efficium a breakthrough highly dispersible silica (HDS), an innovative filler which allows for higher productivity and greater flexibility in producing green passenger car and truck tire compounds. Efficium offers breakthrough benefits for the automotive industry, allowing for increased productivity due to its impact on mixing and extrusion throughput and adding flexibility thanks to its silanization control and reformulation opportunities without compromising on rolling resistance, wear and grip.

Efficium’s wider operating window is characterized by lower Mooney viscosity, lower temperature sensitivity, better dimensional stability during extrusion and extended storage life of uncured rubber. All of these advantages result in a more versatile product for a broader range of passenger car, commercial vehicles and heavy-duty truck applications.

“The benefits of Efficium have been analyzed and confirmed at industrial scale under realistic conditions. Both passenger car and heavy-truck were manufactured tires then road tested with substantial results. For truck tire tread compounds, Efficium delivers significant productivity benefits of up to 30% in mixing and extrusion, while rolling resistance and wear meet and even exceed reference levels”, said Jean-Francis Spindler, research and innovation director of Solvay Silica.