Linglong unveils "bio-based rubber" tires

Shanghai, China – Shandong Linglong Tire Co. unveiled a new range of ‘bio-based rubber tires’ during the 22nd China International Industry Fair (CIIF), held in mid-September in Shanghai.

Developed in joint collaboration with Beijing Chemical Industry University over the past three years, the tires use a host of bio-based rubber products, Linglong said in a Chinese-language statement on 21 Sept. 

As part of the key bio-rubber R&D project – entitled "preparation technology and application demonstration of new bio-based rubber materials" –  Linglong said it produced dandelion rubber snow tires, radial truck tire based on eucommia rubber and itaconate biosynthesis steel-belted rubber tires.

Eucommia ulmoides (EU) gum is a natural polymer material extracted from Eucommia ulmoides (EU) oliver, which can be applied in the tire industry to reduce the rolling resistance of the tread compound and save the energy.

The tire maker said "the solar-source development of a new generation of bio-based rubber" was part of its strategy to address the unsustainable production of synthetic rubber and natural rubber as well as the shortage of resources.

The tires, Linglong said, have completed third-party evaluation, meet the project index requirements and display “performance superior to traditional rubber.”

The company did not offer further details.