Stellantis patents an eco-friendly tire solution that uses eggshells

Stellantis is exploring an innovative solution to reduce the environmental impact of tires, by filing a patent application for a process that incorporates eggshells as a substitute for conventional materials used in their manufacturing.

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In a document published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the company discusses the possibility of replacing carbon black and silica with calcium oxide (CaO), derived from egg shells, which contain more than 90% calcium carbonate (CaCO3).

As tires wear down, particles of carbon black and silica are released into the air, constituting a significant source of emissions, as indicated by a recent study.

Stellantis suggests that the use of CaO could be an effective solution

The process of obtaining CaO involves careful treatment that includes washing the shells in acetone and a high exposure to temperature to induce decomposition, resulting in a white solid that can be ground for integration into the mixture of tire compounds.

Despite this initiative, the commercial viability of the proposal remains in doubt, given that Stellantis is primarily known for its automobile manufacturing and not for tires.

However, it is part of a broader trend within the automotive industry towards the use of sustainable materials in tire production.

Other companies in the sector, such as Bridgestone, Michelin, and Goodyear, are already researching and developing more sustainable tires using recycled and renewable materials.

For example, Bridgestone has created tires for the Audi E-Tron GT using 55% of these materials, while Michelin, in collaboration with Hyundai, is also working on eco-friendly tires.

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The growing pressure to reduce pollutant emissions from the automotive industry creates a favorable landscape for innovations such as the proposal from Stellantis.