The tire industry has increasingly adopted silica-rich compounds, yet carbon black (CB) remains essential for truck and bus tires due to superior wear resistance. Alongside durability, low rolling resistance (LRR) is now a key requirement for heavy-duty applications. While silica improves LRR, it causes heat build-up under severe conditions. To address this, Kumho developed a novel solution styrene-butadiene rubber (SSBR) with low Tg, high CB affinity and advanced molecular design. This SSBR enables improved fuel efficiency in CB-rich TBR compounds by partially replacing natural rubber, maintaining mechanical balance while supporting sustainability under EUDR regulations.

• Development of low-Tg SSBR for CB-rich truck/bus tire compounds
• Improving fuel efficiency without sacrificing mechanical properties
• Balancing wear resistance and low rolling resistance in heavy-duty tires
• Reducing natural rubber usage while meeting EUDR sustainability rules
• Evaluating viscoelasticity and processability of advanced rubber compounds