Goodyear developing soya tires for 2015 debut

We all know that taking Soy products is good for our health. Tire manufacturer, Goodyear, has discovered that Soybean oil is good for tire health too.

The company’s Innovation Center in the US verified that the addition of soybean oil to the tire compound actually increase the life span of the tire by 10%. In addition, inclusion of soybean oil is said to improve the manufacturing plant’s efficiency and reduce energy consumption.

Goodyear’s chief technical officer, Jean-Claude Kihn, commented, “Goodyear is committed to caring for the environment and communities, and use of soybean oil is proving to be another way to accomplish this goal. Consumers benefit through improved tread life, Goodyear gains with increased efficiency and energy savings and we all win whenever there is a positive impact on the environment.”

Goodyear’s good idea has attracted the attention of the United Soybean Board (USB), which is granting the tire maker US$500,000 over two years for the project. Russ Carpenter, USB’s New Uses Committee Chair commented that the USB and America’s soybean farmers are excited to support Goodyear in this effort to provide consumers with cost-effective, Eco-friendly products. Apparently, Russ Carpenter is a soybean farmer himself. Who would not support a move that may result in an increased demand (and perhaps price) for his product?

The Goodyear soybean oil tires should go on sale in 2015. The automotive industry is a huge consumer of rubber products, accounting for more than 50% worldwide. When the technology becomes widely adopted, I hope that my favorite Selegie soya milk will not cost $2.50 a cup.