Sibur develops SBR for all-season and summer tires

Nizhnekamsk, Russia – Sibur has developed and produced a new functionalised grade of styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) at its Nizhnekamskneftekhim site, for use in all-season and summer tires.

Developed under a programme of import substitution program for synthetic rubbers, the grade labelled DSSK-628V has passed homologation by tire companies in Russia and the CIS countries, Sibur said 5 June.

“The developed product is designed not only to provide tires with high performance, but also to replace imported analogues previously supplied from Germany, Japan and South Korea,” stated the Russian producer.

Sibur went on to note that in the “current geopolitical conditions, the creation of a domestic alternative has become a critically important task for the industry.

The new ‘brand’ is designed to reduce tire rolling resistance by 10% and increases wet grip by 12%, the statement continued.

Used with other Sibur products, it is said to allow the partial or complete replacement of natural rubber in the tread of summer and all-season tires – HP and UHP.

"DSSK-628V is a vivid example of how innovations and advanced technologies help to strengthen the position of the domestic industry," said Anatoly Svetlikov, director of Sibur's transport division.

It meets all international standards, he said, and "provides [Russia's] tire industry with domestic raw material that reduces their dependence on foreign suppliers."

In April, Sibur announced that its Nizhnekamsk operation had achieved the industrial production of a new brand of functionalised styrene butadiene-styrene rubber, labelled DSSK-615V.

Due to a low glass transition temperature, DSSK-615V is used in the production of passenger and light truck tires of all-season and winter range, as well as bus and truck tires.

The material provides improved performance in winter conditions: low rolling losses, increased grip on icy roads and wear resistance, said Sibur.

Tatneft company Ikon Tyres has 'successfully tested' non-studded winter tires using a tread based on DSSK-615V, the group also pointed out.