Driving on eggshells—not strolling on them—would possibly even have optimistic implications. Stellantis is searching for to patent an modern course of that includes incorporating eggshells or different biowaste supplies into tire manufacturing, aiming to scale back their environmental affect.
In a patent submitting revealed by the US Patent and Trademark Workplace (USPTO) on January 23, 2025, and submitted in 2023, the automaker outlines the potential of utilizing eggshells instead for 2 extensively used filler supplies in tires: carbon black and silica. As tires put on down, each of those substances can turn into airborne as mud, contributing to particulate emissions, a priority highlighted by a 2023 examine suggesting that tire mud is a big supply of such air pollution. Stellantis proposes that these fillers may very well be successfully changed with calcium oxide (CaO) derived from eggshells.
Hen egg shells are primarily composed of over 90% calcium carbonate (CaCO3), which will be transformed to CaO by way of a calcination course of. This includes cleansing the shells in acetone after which heating them to temperatures exceeding 1,652 levels Fahrenheit, ensuing of their decomposition.
Throughout this course of, carbon dioxide (CO2) is launched, abandoning CaO as a white strong. This materials can then be milled to match the type of carbon black or silica, which is subsequently blended with rubber and different parts to create tire compounds.
Whereas it is unsure whether or not this strategy shall be commercially possible, notably because it was developed by an organization specializing in vehicles moderately than tires, tire producers are actively pursuing sustainable supplies for his or her merchandise. This shift is important for additional lowering the environmental penalties of driving. As tailpipe emissions lower with the rise of electrical car adoption, it is crucial to deal with different sources of air pollution, equivalent to that generated by tires.
Firms like Bridgestone are already making strides, saying final 12 months that they have been producing tires for the all-electric Audi E-Tron GT utilizing 55% recycled and renewable supplies, and incorporating pure rubber from a desert shrub into IndyCar racing tires. In 2022, Michelin revealed plans to develop eco-friendly tires in collaboration with Hyundai, whereas Goodyear demonstrated a tire designed to scale back reliance on petroleum-based supplies and decrease manufacturing emissions.
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