In response to the market volatility of vital commodities for tire production such as oil and rubber, the political instability in many of the producing countries and the desire to reduce carbon footprints, Yokohama is utilizing orange oil – a natural, renewable resource C to create a car tire that is 80 percent petroleum-free, has superb grip and saves gas, according to Dick Gust, co-chairman of the Tire Industry Association's (TIA) Environmental Advisory Council.
At the TIA's Sept. 30-Oct. 2 Environmental Symposium being held at the Ocean City Convention Center in Ocean City, Md., Yokohama's Dan Guiney, director of technical services, will discuss the technology in a session entitled "Orange is the New Green."
Attendees will also learn how this development is part of Yokohama's "Green Initiative," which is an overall company campaign to produce world-class products while protecting the environment, beginning with the design of environmentally-friendly products and manufacturing with zero emissions, Gust says.
"Companies – not just in the tire industry – are looking for new and innovative ways to reduce their dependency on raw materials, which are often produced in volatile corners of the world," he explains."If you are involved in any aspect of manufacturing within the tire industry, you'll benefit from the insight and experience Dan possesses," notes Gust.
"Yokohama is a leader in showing how to break free from conventional thinking in order to develop products that are environmentally friendly and cost-efficient," says TIA Executive Vice President Roy Littlefield. "TIA is proud to be able to provide our Environmental Symposium attendees with such a world-class opportunity."
For more information, visit www.tireindustry.org or call (800) 876-8372.
