Tire industry CEOs meet in France on sustainability research

CHANTILLY, France (Nov. 6, 2015) — Tire and road wear particles (TRWP) are safe for human health based on the results of recent research, the chief executive officers of international tire corporations said at a meeting in Chantilly.

Also, a study by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development shows that development of nanomaterials for tires will be beneficial to society, the CEOs said Oct. 9 at the meeting of the Tire Industry Project (TIP) of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).

This year marks the tenth anniversary of TIP, according to a WBCSD press release. TIP's goal is to identify and address the potential health and environmental life cycle impacts of tires, it said.

“Following extensive ambient air testing of TRWP in Los Angeles, London and Tokyo, results indicate that the presence of TRWP of 2.5 microns in size is very low and below all human health and regulatory thresholds anywhere in the world,” the WBCSD said.

TIP scientists are performing additional toxicity testing for targeted chemicals in TRWP, the council said.

The OECD report, with technical support from TIP, evaluated the impact of new nanomaterials that may be developed and used in tires, the WBCSD said. Those nanomaterials, the study showed, offer positive societal and economic effects.

The study also outlined a general framework of best practices for safe development and use of new nanomaterials in tires, the council said.

Goodyear, Bridgestone Corp. and Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin are the co-leaders of TIP, according to the WBCSD. Other participating tire makers — representing a combined 65 percent of the world's tire production — are Continental AG, Cooper Tire & Rubber Co., Hankook Tire Co. Ltd., Kumho Tire Co. Inc., Pirelli & C., Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd., Toyo Tire & Rubber Co. Ltd. and Yokohama Tire Co. Ltd.