Truman Wilt
Introduce yourself and your role.
I am a chemist and currently the director of research and development for PPG’s Specialty Coatings and Materials (SCM) strategic business unit. Based in the Pittsburgh area where PPG is headquartered,
I am responsible for leading SCM’s ongoing development of new and innovative products, and the continued optimization of existing products.
My team works closely with our customers, and their customers, to help solve their most challenging problems.
Who is PPG?
PPG is a global manufacturer of paints, coatings and specialty materials operating in more than 70 countries with 50,000 employees. The company serves customers in construction, consumer products, industrial and transportation markets and aftermarkets.
In the SCM business, our products help secure the personal information in passports and ID cards to combat fraud, make our car tires safer and more fuel-efficient, and provide monomers, coatings and photochromic dyes for eyeglass lenses that improve and enhance your vision.
We also produce energy-efficient organic light-emitting diode (OLED) materials to create the vibrant images you see on your TV, smartphone and other consumer electronics.
What is PPG’s AGILON performance silica technology?
PPG Agilon performance silica products are treated silicas that have been chemically modified to enhance specific properties. By precipitating silica and silane together, Agilon silica delivers a single, finished compounding solution that uniquely combines product and process.
Typically used as reinforcing fillers for tire and industrial rubber applications, they enable manufacturers to enhance rubber performance, simplify their manufacturing processes and contribute to sustainability goals.
How does this support manufacturers?
For industrial rubber manufacturers, Agilon performance silica products help manufacturers formulate compounds with better heat build-up resistance, improved tensile strength, higher hot rebound, lower compression set and other performance characteristics.
During manufacturing, Agilon silica allows rubber compounds to be made using shorter mixing times, subsequently increasing the plant mixing capacity. Agilon silica also reduces mixer wear, energy consumption and VOC emissions.
How does the report help tire manufacturers?
While Agilon silica has been on the market for several years, this new research shows additional benefits to manufacturers. The report demonstrates energy savings and other manufacturing benefits for tire makers, proving that Agilon silica provides nearly 50% energy savings and cuts manufacturing time by a third compared to conventional silica by eliminating one mixing step.
The report also found added benefits for tire makers compared to non-treated silicas, including increased mixer fill factor (the ratio between the volume of material put in a mixer, and the total mixer volume) and higher silica loadings. There are also significant sustainability benefits for end users: when used in tire treads, Agilon silica also improves fuel efficiency and traction and extends treadwear.
How does Agilon help tire manufacturers’ ESG efforts?
Manufacturers and brand owners are under increasing pressure from customers and regulators to create products faster and better, all while reducing impact on the environment.
Utilising Agilon silica in the manufacturing of tires supports both the manufacturer and brand owners’ ESG efforts, as suppliers and OEMs play a major role in ESG data compilation and reporting.
Agilon silica enables tire manufacturers to find 50% energy savings, cut manufacturing time by a third compared to conventional silica and significantly reduce VOCs at their plants.
What does the next 5-10 years hold for tire manufacturers?
As electric vehicle adoption continues to grow and as companies’ ESG results become more transparent, companies will need to identify new and innovative ways to be more sustainable, while simultaneously producing safe and effective products.
Working closely with suppliers, like PPG, is
critical. Strategic supplier partnerships enable manufacturers to identify and implement solutions to make products and processes better and more sustainable.
