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Sustainable, Bio‐Degradable Static Antiozonant for Elastomers: Balancing Ozone Protection in Natural Rubber With Reduced Microplastic Persistence
Summary
This study tested whether biodegradable waxes could replace conventional waxes used to protect rubber tires from ozone degradation, and found that biodegradable alternatives performed comparably while reducing the fraction of persistent microplastics shed as tire-road wear particles. Since tire wear is estimated to account for roughly 62% of all global microplastic generation, switching to biodegradable antiozonants could meaningfully reduce long-lived plastic pollution.
ABSTRACT The transition toward sustainable, eco‐friendly antidegradants in rubber compounds aligns with the global mandate to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Tire–road wear particles (TRWPs) represent a major environmental concern due to their persistence and contribution to microplastic pollution. Conventional non‐biodegradable waxes, widely used as static antiozonants, contribute to TRWPs and adversely affect aquatic ecosystems and water quality. In this study, OECD 301B‐certified, REACH‐compliant biodegradable waxes are investigated as potential alternatives to conventional waxes in natural rubber (NR) compounds. Three grades with differing physical properties are evaluated at equivalent loadings with respect to cure kinetics, physico‐mechanical performance, and resistance to oxidative and ozonolytic degradation. NR vulcanizates containing biodegradable waxes exhibit comparable, and in several cases superior, performance relative to the conventional formulation. To quantitatively substantiate sustainability benefits, a mass‐balance‐based material flow analysis is conducted using SankeyMATIC. Recent reports indicate that approximately 62% of global microplastic generation originates from TRWPs, of which ∼1.62% is attributable to static antiozonants. Replacement with biodegradable waxes shifts this fraction toward degradable pathways, resulting in an estimated ∼1.01% reduction in global microplastic persistence. This cumulative mitigation effect increases with projected tire production growth of 8.34% by 2031, supporting SDG 6 and SDG 14.