Specialty chemicals company Lanxess demonstrates its expertise in product innovation for synthetic rubber by unveiling its AA concept tire.

The concept tire is among the first to be presented that would earn a double-A rating under the new labeling regulations that go into effect in November in the European Union. The global trend towards sustainable transportation solutions includes the adoption of high-performance tires and is resulting in improvements in fuel efficiency and lower CO2 emissions.

With this concept tire, Lanxess intends to demonstrate the importance of its neodymium-based performance butadiene rubber (Nd-PBR) to increase durability, especially in AA-rated tires. Although durability will not be rated on the new EU tire labels, it will be a key differentiation criteria among top-ranked tires.

Traditionally, tire makers have operated within the "magic triangle" of tire design, which means that an improvement in durability has always come at the expense of either rolling resistance or wet grip.

Lanxess is the market leader for Nd-PBR used in "Green Tires" - the fastest growing sector in the tire industry, with an annual global growth rate of about 10%.

Demand is being driven by the megatrend mobility, above all in the regions of Asia and Latin America, as the middle class there becomes more affluent. In addition, demand will be accelerated by tire labeling being introduced around the world.

November 2012 will see the launch of mandatory tire labeling in the European Union (EU). Tires will be graded from A to G according to their fuel efficiency and wet grip. Rolling noise is also measured. Therefore, the new legislation provides more transparency for consumers by highlighting the added value of "Green Tires". According to TU Munich, the market share of class A and B tires in the EU is expected to reach 20-30% in 2017 and then jump to 70-80% in 2022.

Japan and South Korea were the first countries in the world to introduce a label system. After a voluntary tire label was introduced in Japan in January 2010, South Korea launched its voluntary labeling in November 2011 and will make it mandatory in December 2012. Other countries like Brazil, the USA and China are expected to follow in the coming years.

"Green Tires" can reach their peak performance with formulations containing both Nd-PBR and solution styrene butadiene rubber (SSBR). Lanxess also produces SSBR, which is mainly used in the tread compound of "Green Tires", where it helps to reduce rolling resistance and improve grip on wet roads.

"A" rated tires provide the most wet grip. Cars equipped with "A" rated tires needs 18 to 21 meters less to come to a standstill from a speed of 80 km/h compared to "F"-rated tires.

Studies show that 20-30% of a vehicle's fuel consumption and 24% of road vehicle's CO2 emissions are related to tires. "Green Tires" can reduce fuel consumption by 5-7% and have a shorter cost amortization period in comparison to other fuel-saving technologies in cars.

Specialty chemicals company Lanxess has launched a new fuel savings calculator that helps drivers to be kind on both their wallets and the environment. It is a particularly valuable accessory in these times of record fuel prices.

The application provides information on the following: First, how much money can I save by using fuel-efficient or "green tires"? Second, how long does it take before the tires have paid for themselves? And third, what is the reduction in the car's CO2 emissions? The software was developed in cooperation with the Technical University of Munich, and was then tested and certified by TÜV Rheinland.