Tire Technology Expo: LANXESS presents innovative and sustainable rubber additives

LANXESS will be presenting its comprehensive portfolio for the tire industry at Tire Technology Expo 2025 in Hannover, Germany. With the specialty chemicals company’s innovative and sustainable rubber additives, tire manufacturers can increase process efficiency, reduce their environmental footprint and make modern tires even more efficient.

Vulkanox HS Scopeblue: Antioxidant in a sustainable variant

With its new Vulkanox HS Scopeblue rubber additive, LANXESS is helping tire manufacturers to produce sustainable, long-lasting tires. An additional advantage of using the Scopeblue product is that it enables manufacturers to achieve their sustainability goals faster. The specialty chemicals company’s antioxidant is a sustainable variant of the proven additive TMQ (2,2,4-trimethyl-1,2-dihydroquinoline) and is based on more than 55 percent sustainable raw materials. The production plant in Brunsbuettel, Germany, where LANXESS manufactures the antioxidant, has been ISCC PLUS certified since 2024. Tire manufacturers can use the additive, which has the same properties as its conventional counterpart, in the usual way.

Aflux SD – superior processing agent for silica dispersion

In the 2^nd quarter of 2025, LANXESS will launch its newly developed superior silica dispersion processing promoter Aflux SD. It offers outstanding flow properties and excellent filler dispersion, particularly in highly-filled silica rubber compounds based on functionalized polymers of the latest generation. Aflux SD not only serves as a processing agent, but also improves the performance of tire compounds by combining reduced rolling resistance, increased wear resistance and improved wet grip. Respective data will be provided on request. Aflux SD samples are available from March this year.

Rhenodiv release agents – sustainable and globally available

In tire manufacturing, the unvulcanized tire is placed in the press, vulcanized and removed again. Sustainable and efficient release agents from LANXESS ensure a smooth molding and demolding process. To ensure the adhesion of sealing layers, noise-reducing foam and air pressure sensors, silicone release agent residue must be completely removed from the tire’s inner surfaces using a laser or chemicals. Silicone-free products reduce the handling effort and are cleaner. For processors, water-based, silicone-free Rhenodiv release agents from LANXESS therefore contribute to greater cost efficiency and sustainability.

In rubber manufacturing, rubber sheets are dipped into “batch-off” liquids to prevent the sheets from sticking together when they are folded for storage. Rhenodiv BO-3300 Pearls is the state-of-the-art solution for a dust-free batch-off process which also minimizes the need for cleaning the production equipment. LANXESS has now launched the product Rhenodiv BO-3900 Pearls Cool. It combines all advantages of the BO-3300 pearls with the ability to form a working dispersion with cool water.

Rhenoshape curing bladders improve process efficiency

In the tire vulcanizing process efficiency is essential. LANXESS has developed an ultra-high heat conductive rubber compound providing an additional saving of vulcanizing time beyond current curing bladders. This compound will be available for the entire passenger car and light truck curing bladder portfolio.

In order to meet the growing demand in North America, LANXESS will put a new injection press into operation in the first half of 2025 at the production site in Little Rock, Arkansas, USA, to produce bladders for the manufacture of tires for passenger cars and light trucks.

Rhenocure DR/S: accelerator for efficient and sustainable high-performance tires

Rhenocure DR/S is a new generation amine accelerator developed for high performance passenger tires using SBR/BR compounds with high silica content. As a secondary accelerator, it enhances sulfur crosslinking. At the same time, it significantly improves silica dispersion and activates silanization, thus optimizing the performance of the compound. Rhenocure DR/S gives the tire excellent dynamic-mechanical properties that reduce rolling resistance and save fuel. This makes Rhenocure DR/S a key to more efficient and environmentally friendly tire production. This innovation is a clear step forward for tire technology.

On the 2^nd day of the fair at 14:25, Dr. Cristian Oprisoni, application developer at Rhein Chemie, will explain Rhenocure DR/S’s impact on modern tire compounds in his presentation.

Comprehensive portfolio for tire production

The LANXESS Rhein Chemie business unit is one of the world’s leading providers of rubber additives and system solutions for the rubber-processing industry. Its range of products comprises an extensive selection of additives that are used in tire mixtures in particular. These include vulcanizing agents and rubber additives in pre-dispersed and other delivery forms, processing accelerators, anti-reversion agents, zinc oxide, antioxidants, and mastication agents. The range of release agents comprises granulated batch-off products, interior spray solutions for single and multiple mold release, and bladder coatings. Outside, finishing, and tire marking paints complete the portfolio.

More information about products and solutions for the tire industry is available at https://lanxess.com/en/products-and-brands/industries/tire-and-rubber-industry.