Nynas probing tire, road wear emissions as part of Swedish research initiative

Stockholm – A grouping of Swedish stakeholders, including refiner and process oil specialist Nynas AB, has launched an initiative to study tire & road wear particle (TWRP) emissions.

The project, coordinated by the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) also involves Volvo Cars, Karolinska Institute and Scania, Nynas reported 1 Sept.

The objective of the initiative is to “better understand the formation, characteristics and environmental impact of” TRWP emissions.

According to the Swedish oil refiner, despite the importance of TRWP in the overall emissions picture, scientific knowledge has remained limited particularly regarding how different materials contribute to wear mechanisms.

Nynas will aim to offer a ‘dual perspective’ through its expertise in both tire rubber compounds and bitumen-based road materials.

“While Sweden lacks domestic tire manufacturers, Nynas' research capabilities fill that gap by providing foundational insight into the chemistry and physics behind TRWP generation,” said Par Nyman, technical manager tire & chemical industries.

Nyman will work alongside Nynas chief bitumen and asphalt scientist Dr Xiaohu Lu to tap both rubber and asphalt labs at Nynas.

“One of the core insights driving this initiative is that wear particles cannot be fully understood by analysing tires or roads in isolation,” Nyman explained.

By studying both tire composition and road structure, the project aims to develop "a holistic view of TRWP formation, dispersion and toxicity,” he added

In parallel, the initiative will also measure rolling resistance across different tire and bitumen combinations – a parameter which Nynas said is “directly linked” to greenhouse gas emissions.