In a move towards sustainable automotive solutions, Stellantis, the multinational automotive powerhouse, has filed a patent for a revolutionary tyre compound that incorporates discarded eggshells. This innovative material aims to replace traditional fillers like carbon black and silica with calcium oxide (CaO) derived from eggshells—offering potential environmental and performance benefits.
The patent, initially submitted in mid-2023 and published by the United States Patent and Trademark Office on January 23, 2024, outlines the company’s plan to introduce bio-waste materials into tyre production. If successfully implemented, this technology could reduce landfill waste, improve fuel efficiency, and lower rolling resistance by 20%.
Eggshells, primarily composed of calcium carbonate, can be processed into calcium oxide through high-temperature treatment (at least 900°C). Stellantis suggests that integrating eggshell-derived CaO as a coupling agent in tyres could:
✅ Enhance rolling resistance, leading to improved fuel efficiency (up to 3% better fuel economy).
✅ Improve grip in wet conditions, enhancing safety.
✅ Reduce reliance on carbon black, lowering the environmental footprint of tyre production.
This approach aligns with circular economy principles, giving discarded eggshells a second life while reducing dependence on petroleum-based materials.
The automotive and tyre industries have long grappled with the issue of tyre pollution, as tyre wear particles contribute to microplastic pollution and airborne particulates that affect air quality. Carbon black, a common tyre filler, is derived from soot, posing environmental and health risks.
By replacing carbon black with eggshell-based calcium oxide, Stellantis aims to:
Reduce the ecological footprint of tyre manufacturing.
Improve fuel efficiency by lowering rolling resistance.
Minimise tyre waste pollution by using a renewable and biodegradable alternative.
Studies suggest that tyre degradation releases more airborne pollution than vehicle exhaust emissions, making innovations like this crucial for sustainable mobility.
While the patent details the high-temperature processing of eggshells, it does not specify manufacturing costs, scalability, or potential changes in tyre aesthetics. One key question remains:
💡 Will eggshell-enhanced tyres retain their traditional black colour or take on a new appearance?
Stellantis' latest patent signals a wider shift in the automotive industry towards eco-conscious material innovation. If successfully commercialised, eggshell-based tyres could set a new benchmark in sustainable manufacturing.
As the industry awaits further developments, one thing is clear: Driving on eggshells might soon be more than just a saying—it could be the future of greener mobility.
What is Stellantis’ new tyre innovation?
Stellantis has patented a tyre compound using eggshell-derived calcium oxide as an alternative to carbon black.
How does it benefit tyre performance?
The eggshell-based material can reduce rolling resistance by 20%, improve fuel efficiency by 3%, and enhance wet grip.
Why is replacing carbon black important?
Carbon black is made from soot, which contributes to air pollution and microplastics. Using natural waste materials like eggshells makes tyres more sustainable.
What are the environmental benefits?
Using eggshells in tyre production reduces landfill waste, supports a circular economy, and lowers tyre pollution.
When will these tyres be available?
The technology is still in the patent stage, so commercial production timelines remain unclear.
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