FINDLAY, Ohio (March 1, 2013) — Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. and Mexican synthetic rubber producer Industrias Negromex S.A. de C.V. (INSA) have been granted a U.S. patent for a silica masterbatch process that the companies claim offers a broader processing window for enhanced manufacturing efficiencies.
The companies collaborated on the discovery under a long-term joint development agreement that led to the successful development of this new technology, which is an outgrowth of their combined focus on developing cost-effective, leading-edge polymer and silica technology to achieve maximum tire performance, Cooper said.
The U.S. patent number is 8357733; patent applications have been filed in other countries as well, Cooper said.
"Collaborative efforts between manufacturing companies like Cooper and key suppliers like INSA can lead to the development of breakthrough technology," said Chuck Yurkovich, vice president of global research and development for Cooper.
"We expect the relationship between Cooper and INSA to ultimately benefit both companies and the industry as a whole," he said, without quantifying the proposed benefits.
Felipe Varela Hernandez, general director of Industrias Negromex, added: "We have continuously invested in new technologies for our synthetic rubber business for many years. We believe the opportunity to co-develop important pioneering technology with a long-time customer could have a big impact on the tire business in the future as we focus together on breakthrough technologies."
Industrias Negromex is a subsidiary of Grupo KUO, a diversified holding with businesses in the polymer, automotive components, agriculture and food industries.
The companies said they are considering licensing the technology.