Automotive all photos:
Automotive all photos: Nokian Rapeseed oil gives grip on wintry roads When Nokian Tyres from the town of Nokia in Finland, the northernmost tyre manufacturer in the world, developed their new winter tyre - the Nokian WR - creative solutions were found to produce more grip: a quadrangleshaped stud and rapeseed oil, which is a natural raw material. Finnish rapeseed oil constitutes a significant part of the oil used in the tyre’s tread. The rubber compound is made of silica and plant-based rapeseed oil as a softener. Rapeseed oil is less of a burden on the environment than the non-renewable mineral oils manufactured from petroleum. It degrades biologically. The rapeseed oil is a basic cold-pressed oil, which is refined using Nokian Tyres’ own process designed to suit its tyre production. In addition to rapeseed oil, the tread mix contains only low aromatic oils; no highly aromatic, harmful oils are used. The compound improves the tyre’s wet weather properties and enhances handling. The natural oil increases wear resistance and improves tyre grip in cool weather. The new compound reduces rolling resistance, which also contributes to reduced fuel consumption. All in all, the product has become much more environmentally friendly. Bridgestone Europe now holds 18.9% of Nokian Tyres’ share capital and voting rights. 20 bioplastics MAGAZINE [01/07] Vol. 2
Automotive Flax and Linseed Oil- Acrylate put Race Car in Pole Position Biodiesel powered racing Mustang has a body made from bioplastics The special thing about this car, racing under the “BioConcept-Car” banner, is not only that it is being driven by Smudo, frontman of the famous German hip-hop band “Die Fantastischen Vier”, but also some other features closely linked to keywords such as sustainability and bioplastics. In a nutshell: The Ford Mustang GT RTDi based race car was developed in close cooperation between Four Motors PR GmbH, Invent GmbH, and the German Aerospace Center (DLR). It features a 2-litre, 270 PS (266.3 HP) Ford Galaxy Biodiesel engine and a body made of linseed oil acrylate, reinforced with flax fibres – i.e. 100% bio based raw materials and - by the way – both from the same plant. “With this race car, for the first time, renewable resources show their capabilities in extreme situations,” said the German Undersecretary of State Dr. Peter Paziorek, when the car was first introduced in May 2006. The whole project was supported by the FNR Agency for Renewable Resources, established by the German Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection (BMELV). Not only is the flax/linseed oil acrylate composite comparable to carbon fibre reinforced plastic with regard to strength and rigidity, it is also significantly lighter in weight than conventional composites. “We find it really remarkable that this BioConcept-Car competes in the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring with an appropriate Biodiesel fuel,” Paziorek added. The doors, wings (fenders), bumpers, bonnet (hood), hatchback and the rear spoiler of the Bio- Concept Mustang GT RTDi were manufactured by the company Invent GmbH of Braunschweig, Germany. In close cooperation with the Agency for Renewable Resources (FNR), Invent have already tested different bio-composites over the bioplastics MAGAZINE [01/07] Vol. 2 21
