The Zeosil® Advantage: Circularity Driving Sustainability
In today’s rapidly evolving automotive industry, tire manufacturers are under high pressure to meet stringent sustainability targets in terms of performance, circularity and CO2 footprint reduction. This urgent need drives the industry's relentless pursuit of sustainable solutions. As a world leader in high-performance precipitated silicas, Solvay is leading the change toward circularity with innovative solutions that set benchmarks in sustainability and performance.
With 7 manufacturing sites on 4 continents Solvay has strategically located production facilities around the world that ensure a secure and reliable supply of silica products, all while maintaining best-in-class quality and industrial performance standards. Our Zeosil® Highly Dispersible Silica (HDS) exemplifies this commitment, combining advanced technology with cutting-edge circular economy practices.
Livorno, Italy: Europe’s First Bio HDS Plant
At Solvay, innovation and sustainability go hand in hand. The Livorno (Italy) circular production launch in 2025, will mark a transformative milestone in the journey towards circularity. As the inventors of Highly Dispersible Silica (HDS), we’re taking a bold step forward by producing the first bio-circular HDS in Europe and Continental is a key partner in this journey. This breakthrough will be achieved by utilizing rice husk ash—a by-product of the rice industry and locally sourced—as a raw material for our Zeosil® grades.
By repurposing agricultural by-products into high-performance silica, we’re not only optimizing resource consumption but also significantly lowering the environmental footprint of tire production. This transition will lead to a 35% reduction in CO2 emissions per ton of silica produced, while maintaining the continued level of performance and drop- in solutions that our customers expect for our Zeosil® grades. Solvay Silica initiative underscores our commitment to sustainable practices and our vision of advancing the circular economy in the automotive sector, and Continental is a key partner in our journey in Livorno.
Exploring New Circular Sources
Solvay’s commitment to circularity doesn’t stop at rice husk ash. Our teams are actively exploring additional innovative sources of raw materials to further enhance sustainability in HDS production thanks to substantial circular conversion in all regions. While the specifics remain confidential, these efforts demonstrate our dedication to creating a more resilient and resource-efficient future.
This global commitment is evident in our partnerships, and involves working with stakeholders across the entire value chain. Solvay and Hankook signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on the development of circular silica coming from biosourced and waste sourcings for tire production. This partnership combines Solvay's silica expertise and sustainability commitment with Hankook’s manufacturing capabilities and market leadership.
By diversifying our circular sources, we’re ensuring that our innovations remain at the forefront of both performance and environmental responsibility.
Less Resistance, More Performance
Superior Rolling Resistance Reduction
The sustainability benefits of circularity are matched by the exceptional performance of Zeosil®. Our HDS grades significantly lower rolling resistance in tires, directly reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. By reducing the rolling resistance coefficient of tires up to 20%, Zeosil® technology reduces vehicle fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by as much as 7% without impairing tire performance. This aligns perfectly with global sustainability goals and the needs of the electric vehicle (EV) market, where maximizing battery range is paramount.
Solvay continuously pushes innovation boundaries and Techsyn is the perfect example. With this outstanding result of the fruitful tri-partite collaboration with Bridgestone EMEA and Arlanxeo, Solvay reinforces its position as a leader in innovative materials science, contributing to the creation of more sustainable and high-performing tires. By incorporating circular Zeosil®, tire manufacturers can produce products at the forefront of the automotive industry needs.
Enhanced Handling and Safety
Safety remains a cornerstone of our innovation. Zeosil® grades offer better grip, handling and longer tread life. This ensures optimal tire performance across various driving conditions, providing drivers with the confidence and control they expect from high-quality tires.
Reducing Our Site's CO2 footprint while maintaining tire manufacturing efficiency
Efficiency in tire production is key to meeting market demands while reducing environmental impact. Zeosil® grades are designed with unique shape and morphology, enhancing mixing and processing performance.
Solvay continues by decreasing the CO2 footprint of its Zeosil® production through energy efficiency, energy mix and process disruption. We invested in an electrical furnace in Collonges site (France) as part of the commitment to sustainable practices. This initiative will reduce the site's CO2 emissions by 20% compared to 2021, which is equivalent to 20,000 tons of CO2 annually. This development helps tire manufacturers reduce their carbon footprint while ensuring consistent quality across the production line.
A Future Built on Performance, Circularity and low CO2
The launch of Europe’s first bio HDS plant in Livorno (Italy) as well as the electric furnace in Collonges (France) is a testament to Solvay’s unwavering commitment to sustainability. By leveraging agricultural by-products and continuously seeking new circular sources while investing in low CO2 technologies, we are redefining what’s possible in the automotive industry. Our Zeosil® Highly Dispersible Silica grades deliver unmatched performance while paving the way for a more sustainable future. Together, we are driving the transition to a circular and low CO2 economy while shaping the next generation of sustainable mobility.
