Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems IMWS
Tire abrasion not only affects durability and performance, but also pollutes the environment because rubber particles can enter soils and water as microplastics. The Euro 7 standard, which will apply from the end of 2026, will therefore set limit values for new tires for the first time. At a joint workshop organized by the Regional Group East of the German Rubber Society (DKG) and the Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems IMWS, experts discussed the challenges this poses for the rubber industry and the solutions that research can offer.
“The industry is constantly focused on reducing abrasion and wear of rubber compounds and also developed an awareness of the possible consequences of microplastic pollution at a very early stage. New regulatory measures are further intensifying the search for innovative solutions. The workshop provided a valuable platform for exchanging ideas on this topic,” says Dr. Sybill Ilisch, former head of the DKG Regional Group East. Together with Prof. Dr. Mario Beiner, scientific director of the ‘Polymer Applications’ business unit at the Fraunhofer IMWS, she welcomed the associated institutes from industry and science to the two-day workshop in Schkopau.
The program focused on new approaches to low-abrasion materials, ways to quantify abrasion (sensors and measuring methods), and studies on abrasion-related emissions under real-world conditions. For example, the initial results of the “KI-RAM” project were presented, in which artificial intelligence is used to reduce the emissions of traffic-related microparticles by means of inline measurements of abrasion. The Fraunhofer IMWS is one of the research partners involved. In a session on low-abrasion materials, the advantages of a biomimetic synthetic rubber were presented, in the development of which the Fraunhofer team was also involved.
In addition to impetus from research, the workshop also considered the perspectives of professional associations and politics, for example with regard to the upcoming introduction of the Euro 7 standard. At the end of the meeting, the associated institutes visited the Fraunhofer Pilot Plant Center for Polymer Synthesis and Processing PAZ in Schkopau. The rubber mixing room is equipped with internal mixers, rolling mills, vulcanizing presses, rubber extruders and kneading machines, as well as extensive methods for in-process characterization, providing first-class opportunities for optimizing rubber compounds. “The very successful workshop showed how great the demand is for more environmentally friendly and longer-lasting tire materials, as well as for improved measurement methods to accurately capture tire abrasion and its effects. We can offer the industry expert support in this area,” says Beiner.
(April 1, 2025)