Rice husks as a reclaimed material used in tyre production. That is what has been developed at Goodyear's facilities in Ohio, where ash from the combustion of rice husks will be used to extract silica, which is needed to build more efficient, lower rolling-resistance tyres.

Silica is used in the rubber compound to improve rolling performance and therefore have a positive effect on fuel costs, as well as to enhance wet-road traction.

"The use of rice husks will provide Goodyear with an alternative source of silica, helping to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfill," said Joseph Zekoski, the project's technical director.

Rice is one of the most widely consumed foods in the world. According to the latest estimates presented at Expo 2015, around 3 billion people eat rice every day. The husk is a waste product that is often burned to produce energy and thereby reduce its volume.

"Our efforts are focused on making tyres that are increasingly sustainable — in terms of materials, performance and the production process," Zekoski explained in the statement released by the company.

For this reason, the American company tested the compound containing silica derived from rice "husk" ash in its research laboratories, with positive results. From there to full production is a small step.

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