GENEVA — The Tire Industry Project (TIP) is sharing its scientific research on tire and road wear particles (TRWP) for free online to mark its 15th anniversary.
The tire sustainability forum, which includes 11 major global tire makers, announced July 23 that it is making its research public in hopes of reaching stakeholders who may have previously been discouraged by pay walls.
TRWP are a mixture of tire tread material and road pavement material generated by the friction between tires and the road surface. The TIP has supported research into tire and road wear particles since 2005.
"TIP is committed to making important contributions to the scientific understanding of TRWP and its potential impacts on human health and the environment," TIP said in its statement.
TIP operates under the umbrella of the Geneva-based World Business Council for Sustainable Development and is co-chaired by Bridgestone, Goodyear and Michelin.
Representing approximately 65 percent of the world's tire manufacturing capacity, TIP member CEOs meet biennially to review project progress and approve a two-year work plan.
TIP member companies are: Bridgestone Corp., Continental A.G., Cooper Tire & Rubber Co., Goodyear, Hankook Tire Co. Ltd., Kumho Tire Co., Michelin, Pirelli & C. S.p.A, Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Toyo Tire & Rubber Co. and Yokohama Rubber Co.