Synthetic rubber producer Arlanxeo proposes tire sealant material

HANNOVER, Germany — Synthetic rubber producer Arlanxeo Performance Elastomers has developed an elastomer compound that it claims seals punctures, making it ideal for use in self-sealing tires.

Arlanxeo — a joint venture of Germany's Lanxess A.G. and Saudi Aramco of Saudi Arabia — did not disclose specifics as to the type of elastomer nor say how it's similar to or different from materials already in use by tire makers such as Continental A.G., Goodyear, Hankook Tire Co. Ltd., Kumho Tire Co. Inc., Group Michelin, Pirelli Tyre S.p.A. and Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd.

"With our development, we are giving an important impulse for the mobility of tomorrow," said Frank Lückgen, global marketing director, tire, at Arlanxeo's Tire & Specialty Rubbers (TSR) business unit.

"As a spare tire and the corresponding tools are no longer required, the weight of the vehicle and subsequently also its energy consumption are further reduced," Mr. Lückgen said. "In the case of electric vehicles, this can result in a longer range, for example."

A key target for Arlanxeo is to ensure that its compound ensures optimal sealing in any climate zone at all driving speeds.

Arlanxeo is testing the material "under extreme conditions following successful laboratory tests," and Matthias Gotta, head of global sales and marketing at Arlenxeo TSR, said the compound will be launched commercially later this year, once these tests have been completed.

"Even in the case of strongly fluctuating external temperatures, the tires should be sealed in the same quality," he said.

Maastricht, Netherlands-based Arlanxeo was established in April 2016 as a joint venture of Lanxess — the former rubber business of Bayer A.G. — and Saudi Aramco. It reported sales of more than $3 billion in 2016.

The TSR unit produces butyl rubber, solution styrene-butadiene rubber, neodymium-polybutadiene and emulsion-styrol butadiene rubber.