A series of recent initiatives are driving the global tire materials industry. With the accelerating trends of vehicle electrification and high performance, market demand for high-performance tire materials is growing, prompting companies to take action.
To meet the demand for solution styrene-butadiene rubber (SSBR) products in the tire industry, ENEOS has decided to increase the capacity of its Yokkaichi plant by 10,000 tons. This investment is scheduled to be completed in December 2027. The development of the automotive industry has led to a continuous increase in market demand for high-performance tire materials that help improve performance and reduce environmental impact. These materials can be used to manufacture next-generation tires that are energy-efficient, have high grip, and possess exceptional durability. ENEOS has been producing solution styrene-butadiene rubber at three sites in Japan, Thailand, and Hungary, supplying it to major tire manufacturers in Japan and overseas.
Based on anticipated future demand growth, the company decided to increase the capacity of its Yokkaichi plant and, starting with this, further strengthen the technological capabilities of its three sites to expand its development and supply system for high-performance tire materials. Tata Chemicals India is also actively expanding its capacity. The company has approved two capacity expansion projects at its production sites in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. The Board of Directors approved an investment of INR 1.35 billion to expand the dense soda ash capacity at its Mitap plant in Gujarat to meet the growing demand driven by sustainable applications. The plant currently operates at 90% capacity with an existing annual capacity of 1.091 million tons, and the proposed expansion project will add 350,000 tons/year of soda ash capacity, expected to be completed within the next 24 months. In addition, the Board of Directors approved an investment of INR 7.75 billion to expand the precipitated silica capacity at its Kudarol plant in Tamil Nadu to meet the growing demand for specialty silica from the rubber and automotive tire industries. The plant currently has an annual capacity of 13,800 tons, with a capacity utilization rate of 88%. The proposed expansion will add 50,000 tons/year of precipitated silica capacity. The company plans to fund these two expansions through internal accumulation or other financing methods. The expansion of soda ash capacity will meet the growth demand driven by sustainable applications, while the expansion of silica capacity will also help the company cope with the increasing demand from the rubber and automotive tire industries. In terms of technological innovation, Perpetuus Advanced Materials in the UK has launched an amine-functionalized graphene material as a potential alternative to the 6PPD (6-p-phenylenediamine) antioxidant in tires. Perpetuus uses plasma-functionalized graphene nanosheets (GNPs), whose masterbatch can completely replace 6PPD in rubber formulations, thereby preventing the formation of harmful 6PPDQ byproducts. This masterbatch covers over 90% of the dry-mix components used in tire production, replacing several process oils and additives while improving workplace air quality and keeping mixing simple. This “plug-in” solution provides the same anti-degradation properties as 6PPD, but without the toxic quinone byproduct. 6PPD leached from tire wear particles has been found to be harmful to certain species of salmon and trout in the United States through the conversion byproduct 6PPDquinone (6PPDQ). Furthermore, while 6PPD is most relevant to tires, it is also present in other rubber products, including hoses, belts, seals, and vibration damping brackets. Perpetuus further claims that the new masterbatch can be used in various rubber and tire products without affecting performance or durability, and can be seamlessly adopted in the commercial supply chain. The global supply chain landscape is being reshaped, and investment and technology deployment must keep pace with regional changes and regulatory requirements in end markets. From “raw materials” and “key polymers” to “core additives,” all represent a systemic industrial upgrade driven by both green and high-performance principles.
