Bio-Based Liquid Rubber for Tire Formulation

Kuraray has developed a series of liquid rubber products with molecular weights ranging from a few thousands to a hundred thousand. These polymers, which consist of isoprene, butadiene, styrene and a new, bio-based monomer “Farnesene”, can be used by rubber manufacturers to achieve improvements in processing and physical properties. The most valuable physical property enhancement liquid Farnesene rubber offers is reduction in tire rolling resistance, as well as plasticizing effect. The application of each liquid rubber product in tire formulations is explained in the presentation.