From Tire Review

PPG Industries and Bridgestone Americas are partnering to create fuel-efficient tires for trucks and buses with PPG’s Agilon silica, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

PPG’s Agilon is a high-performance silica that reduces a tire’s rolling resistance, making the tire more fuel-efficient and improving traction and tread life, PPG said.

The U.S. Department of Energy is funding the project for $1.25 million with the goal of the partnership improving large tire’s traction, durability and fuel-efficiency by 4 to 6 percent, according to PPG. The project’s research and development will be based at PPG’s research center in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, while Agilon is manufactured at PPG’s plant in the Netherlands. PGG will be working with Bridgestone’s technical headquarters in Akron, Ohio.

PPG told media the prototype tires should be developed in about three years. PGG also worked with Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. to use Agilon in tires for SUVs in Latin America and other areas last year.