Sustainability focuses on advancing technologies and scientific understanding that reduce the environmental impact of tires throughout their entire lifecycle. Research efforts span sustainable materials development, environmentally responsible tire additives, tire wear particle emissions, and innovative approaches for recycling and reusing end-of-life tires. By addressing emerging environmental challenges such as microplastic emissions, chemical runoff, and tire waste, these projects support the tire industry's transition toward a more circular economy while maintaining the safety, durability, and performance demanded by modern transportation. Through collaboration between academia and industry, CenTiRe researchers are developing practical solutions that help manufacturers meet evolving sustainability goals and future regulatory requirements while creating new opportunities for resource conservation and environmental stewardship.
Ongoing Projects
- Surface Migration of 6-PPD and Design of a Novel Sustainable Antiozonants and Antioxidants for Rubber Formulations
Dr. Ali Dhinojwala — University of Akron
- Multiscale Dynamic Assessment of Airborne Microplastic Emissions in Tire Wear Particles
Prof. Hosein Foroutan — Virginia Tech
- Interfacial Engineering for Circular Tire-to-Tire Rubber Recycling
Dr. Kevin Cavicchi — University of Akron
- Smart Devulcanization of End-of-Life Tires: Enhanced Interface Along with Mechanical Properties in SBR Compound
Prof. Mesfin Tsige — University of Akron
