May, 2012

Goodyear has bolstered its status as the leader in tyre innovation with the creation of its ‘Spring’ and BioIsoprene™ tyres. Exclusive prototypes of both tyres are currently in Australia for a limited time, and available for exhibition.

‘Spring’ Tyre

Initially developed alongside NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) for the purpose of transporting large, long-range vehicles across the surface of celestial bodies such as the moon or Mars, Goodyear airless ‘Spring’ tyre is constructed out of 800 load bearing springs.

The ‘Spring’ tyre is designed to carry much heavier vehicles over much greater distances than the wire mesh tyre that was previously used on the Apollo Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV), which Goodyear also assisted to develop in 1971. Goodyear’s tyre innovation could allow for broader space exploration and the eventual development and maintenance of planetary outposts, whilst also potentially having Earth-based applications.

BioIsoprene™ Tyre

Along with its out-of-this-world innovations, together with DuPont, Goodyear has also developed a new tyre compound, BioIsoprene™, a revolutionary bio-based alternative for the petroleum-derived isporene. It is hoped that the new compound will help to reduce the company’s carbon footprint in the production of synthetic rubber, an alternative for natural rubber and ultimately help reduce the tyre and rubber industry’s dependence on oil-derived products.

The BioIsoprene™ monomer (or chemical compound) is derived from renewable raw materials and represents a significant development within the biochemical and rubber industries where traditional isoprene is currently used. Aside from synthetic rubber for tyre production, BioIsoprene™ can be used in a wide range of products such as surgical gloves, golf balls and adhesives.

Tyres available for exhibition

Prototypes of both the ‘Spring’ and BioIsoprene™ tyres

are currently in Australia and available for exhibition (with display stands) until the end of July, 2012.

Explanatory videos for each tyre can also be provided and we would be happy to discuss any further requirements which may be of use, ie. product fact sheets, brochures, comment or involvement from Goodyear Australia technical specialist etc.