News Release

Yokohama Rubber to License Tire Inner Liner Technology to ExxonMobil Chemical

2004.May.27

  • Management relation
  • Technical relation

The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., today announced that it reached an agreement to license ExxonMobil Chemical Company, a division of Exxon Mobil Corporation of the United States, technology in connection with the Yokohama Advanced Liner (YAL), a new patented inner liner for automotive tires. In addition, Yokohama and ExxonMobil Chemical are combining their respective expertise in the field to improve and advance the performance of YAL. The agreement also grants ExxonMobil Chemical rights to commercialize and globally market YAL related materials in the future.

YAL is a new technology originally developed by Yokohama and further improved through a joint cooperative effort with ExxonMobil Chemical which offers the flexibility and elasticity of a rubber and low air permeability of a plastic. A tire inner liner is a layer affixed to the inside of a tire to prevent air leakage. With current technology an inner liner can weigh up to 10 per cent of the total weight of a tire. Halogenated butyl rubber (halobutyl rubber) is the most frequent material of choice. If this halobutyl rubber is replaced with YAL, YAL? superior impermeability enables the inner liner to be a thin film yielding a significant reduction in the total weight. Additional benefits important to today? market such as reduced energy consumption and natural resource conservation may also be realized.

About Yokohama Rubber
The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., is a leading manufacturer of rubber products, including vehicle tires, other rubber products, and adhesive products. Established in 1917, Yokohama has developed its business globally, earning a strong reputation for products based on advanced technologies that reflect existing and emerging customer needs in automobiles, civil engineering, construction, marine engineering, aircraft components, and sports products. By reinforcing manufacturing in Japan, the United States, and Asia and marketing and sales bases in these areas and Europe, Yokohama will maintain the trust of customers around the world.