butyl rubber
Sustainability: Innovative products and processes to meet current demand while preserving resources
Increasingly, auto manufacturers and end customers want high-performing tires with less environmental impact. We support your ability to meet this desire with product and process innovation and a companywide sustainability strategy.
The introduction of Exxcore™ DVA resin allows tire manufacturers to improve the sustainability of tires while also improving tire quality and performance. Exxcore DVA-based tire innerliners enable tire lightweighting through source reduction while offering leading-edge inflation pressure retention.
In fact, an innerliner made with Exxcore DVA is up to 10 times more effective at retaining air than conventional innerliners made with halobutyl at the same thickness. This advantage not only improves tire performance but also:
- Increases fuel economy
- Improves tire durability
- Reduces CO2 emissions
The use of nanocomposite technology in developing our next generation of butyl rubber products is another ongoing ExxonMobil Chemical innovation supporting sustainability. This technology provides the potential of doubling the number of tire innerliner applications that can be served from existing halobutyl capacity. This approach will allow us to more quickly respond to growing innerliner demand versus the time required for a new grassroots facility.
Process innovation is also contributing to improved sustainability. One example is a manufacturing process improvement that allows for the butyl polymerization reaction to operate at -75°C instead of -95°C, saving energy and potentially reducing the need for additional equipment.
All of these efforts reflect a companywide approach to sustainability based on a commitment to balance economic growth, social development and environmental factors in how we operate our business and promote our products.
