Kansas Soybean rep. explores using soybean oil in Goodyear tires

KANSAS (KSNT) - A Kansas representative on the United Soybean Board, Charles Atkinson, recently toured a Goodyear tire plant to explore the possibility of replacing all petroleum in tires with soybean-base alternatives.

By 2040, Goodyear is hoping to replace all petroleum based oils in its products with bio-based oils, including soybean oils. This is a part of its larger "Sourcing Sustainably" commitment that is focused on reducing environmental and social impacts by responsibly managing the materials used in day-to-day operations and products.

Atkinson recently appeared on the Kansas Soybean Update, produced by the Kansas Soybean Commission, to discuss the future of soy-based tires.

"We basically got to see from where they mix the soybean oil in the mixture, to the manufacturing of the rubber right up to the tire," Atkinson said. "The fact they're using the soybean oil as an extender as well as in the tread and the walls."

Atkinson also mentioned that soybean oil has increased the durability and wearability of Goodyear tires, and that this relationship will help Kansas soybean markets.

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