WASHINGTON, November 15, 2021 – The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) has announced a commitment to produce cryogenically milled tire tread (CMTT) and provide samples to researchers to advance scientific study on tire and road wear particles (TRWP). Representatives from the industry are presenting information about this initiative at a special breakout session today at the 42nd Annual Meeting of the Society for Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) North America, a virtual meeting taking place November 14-18.

“We know that researchers face limitations in trying to create representative tire and road wear particles for accurate scientific study,” said Sarah Amick, Vice President EHS&S and Senior Counsel, USTMA. “To support researchers and advance their work, USTMA is using a standardized methodology to produce cryogenically milled tire tread, samples of which we will provide to researchers who study the potential human health and environmental impacts associated with tire wear particles.”

CMTT is the product of a standardized and reproduceable laboratory process that grinds (or mills) tire tread to simulate tire particles that are normally generated by the friction between tires and road surfaces. CMTT is a mix of tiny rubber pieces that are representative of tire tread but do not contain chemicals or elements arising from pavement or any interactions with pavement. For researchers who study TRWP, offers a surrogate material that eliminates external contamination sources that make contact with tires during normal operational use. CMTT is not a direct replacement for the study of TRWP, but it allows researchers to isolate and focus studies on the tire tread component.

The methodology used for CMTT production was developed by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development’s (WBCSD) Tire Industry Project (TIP). TIP’s aim is to contribute to a more sustainable future by proactively identifying and addressing the potential human health and environmental impacts associated with the life cycle of tires.

“The Tire Industry Project created this methodology to support research on tire wear by providing a reliable and affordable material for lab experiments,” said Anne Cécile Rémont, Director of TIP. “With more than a decade of experience researching TRWP and producing tire test materials we understand the scientific importance of representative test materials; CMTT is complicated and costly to produce, and we support efforts to remove barriers to the use of appropriate materials for TRWP research.”

Researchers who are interested in learning more about CMTT and obtaining a CMTT sample for research may submit a request via the USTMA website at ustires.org/CMTT. USTMA hopes to have CMTT samples available to ship to researchers as early as the second quarter of 2022.

 

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About USTMA

The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association is the national trade association for tire manufacturers that produce tires in the U.S. The association’s 12 member companies operate 57 tire-related manufacturing facilities in 17 states and generate more than $27 billion in annual sales. The industry directly supports more than a quarter million U.S. jobs – totaling almost $20 billion in wages. USTMA advances a sustainable tire manufacturing industry through thought leadership and a commitment to science‐based public policy advocacy. The association’s member company tires make mobility possible. USTMA members are committed to continuous improvement of the performance of their products, workers and consumer safety and environmental stewardship. For more information, visit www.USTires.org and follow USTMA on Twitter @USTires. 

 

About the Tire Industry Project (TIP)

Since 2005, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) Tire Industry Project (TIP) drives research on potential human health and environmental impacts of tires throughout their lifecycle. TIP is a global CEO-led initiative undertaken by leading tire manufacturing companies. Together, TIP member companies work towards solutions for a sustainable future on topics including end-of-life tire management, tire and road wear particles, and sustainable natural rubber.

The members of the Tire Industry Project (in alphabetical order) are Bridgestone, Continental, Goodyear, Hankook, Kumho Tire, Michelin, Pirelli, Sumitomo Rubber, Toyo Tire, Yokohama Rubber.

Discover more: http://www.wbcsd.org/tip

http://www.sustainabilitydriven.info

http://www.tireparticles.info

Follow TIP: Twitter

 

About the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)

WBCSD is the premier global, CEO-led community of over 200 of the world’s leading sustainable businesses working collectively to accelerate the system transformations needed for a net zero, nature positive, and more equitable future.

WBCSD does this by engaging executives and sustainability leaders from business and elsewhere to share practical insights on the obstacles and opportunities we currently face in tackling the integrated climate, nature and inequality sustainability challenge; by co-developing “how-to” CEO-guides from these insights; by providing science-based target guidance including standards and protocols; and by developing tools and platforms to help leading businesses in sustainability drive integrated actions to tackle climate, nature and inequality challenges across sectors and geographical regions.

WBCSD member companies come from all business sectors and all major economies, representing a combined revenue of more than USD $8.5 trillion and 19 million employees. WBCSD’s global network of almost 70 national business councils gives its members unparalleled reach across the globe. Since 1995, WBCSD has been uniquely positioned to work with member companies along and across value chains to deliver impactful business solutions to the most challenging sustainability issues.

WBCSD is the leading voice of business for sustainability, united by its vision of a world where 9+ billion people are living well, within planetary boundaries, by mid-century.

Discover more: http://www.wbcsd.org

Follow WBCSD: Twitter and LinkedIn