ExxonMobil Chemical has announced the start-up of a plant that will produce a new fuel-efficient material for tire inner liners.
The factory will be located in Pensacola, Fla.
"Tire inner liners made with the new material, Exxcore... achieve leading-edge air retention with less material," says Art Sullivan, vice president of the company's Chemical Butyl Polymers unit. "This reduces air loss between fillings."
Exxon officials explain that Exxcore "combines the flexibility and elasticity of rubber with the low air permeability of plastic, achieving seven to 10 times better permeability than existing halobutyl inner liner materials.
"In addition, tire durability testing shows an improvement greater than 50% over standard halobutyl inner liners. This allows for an improved speed rating and potentially extends the tire's life."
Exxon says Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. plans to begin manufacturing tires with Exxcore inner liners later this year.
