Table of contents
Table of contents


ALNOVOL® PN 870 is a revolutionary tire additive empowering manufacturers to meet sustainability targets by replacing traditional cobalt and resorcinol-based adhesion solutions.
This innovative tire additive directly supports a circular economy by eliminating hazardous materials and significantly extending tire lifespan, reducing waste and conserving resources.
The challenge: Rethinking tire adhesion additives
Strong adhesion between rubber compounds and steel cords is critical for tire safety and durability. Traditional tire additives have relied heavily on cobalt salts and resorcinol-based formulations. However, cobalt salts face growing ethical and environmental scrutiny related to mining practices.
Additionally, resorcinol is classified as a Substance of Very High Concern (SVHC) under multiple global regulations, including the EU’s REACH regulation, highlighting potential regulatory risks and the need for safer, sustainable alternatives.
Formulation comparison
To rigorously test this tire additive’s performance, allnex developed a natural rubber-based test formulation, varying the adhesion promoter components:
Material | w/o Co | with Co | with PN 870 |
---|---|---|---|
Natural Rubber | 100 | 100 | 100 |
Carbon Black | 55 | 55 | 55 |
Stearic acid | 2.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 |
Silica | 15.0 | 15.0 | 15.0 |
TMQ | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 |
Oil | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 |
ZnO | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
Novolac resin | 3.0 | 3.0 | - |
ALNOVOL® PN 870 | - | - | 3.5 |
Cobalt salt | - | 0.8 | - |
Cyrez® 964 | 4.15 | 4.15 | 4.15 |
Sulfur | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
DCBS | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.6 |
TBBS | 0.9 | 0.9 | 0.9 |
Material | Formulation w/o Co | Formulation with Co | Formulation with ALNOVOL® PN 870 |
---|---|---|---|
Natural Rubber | 100 | 100 | 100 |
Carbon Black | 55 | 55 | 55 |
Stearic acid | 2.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 |
Silica | 15.0 | 15.0 | 15.0 |
TMQ | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 |
Oil | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 |
ZnO | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
Novolac resin | 3.0 | 3.0 | - |
ALNOVOL® PN 870 | - | - | 3.5 |
Cobalt salt | - | 0.8 | - |
Cyrez® 964 (HMMM) | 4.15 | 4.15 | 4.15 |
Sulfur | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
DCBS | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.6 |
TBBS | 0.9 | 0.9 | 0.9 |
Key Difference: ALNOVOL® PN 870 (3.5 parts) replaces both traditional Novolac resin (3.0 parts) and Cobalt salt (0.8 parts), providing a more sustainable solution without compromising performance.
Proven sustainable tire adhesion
Comprehensive laboratory tests comparing ALNOVOL® PN 870 to traditional cobalt-based tire adhesion additives yielded significant results:
Rheology Properties
The rheology curves demonstrate that ALNOVOL® PN 870 produces almost identical rheological behavior to the cobalt-containing formulation.
Tensile Strength (MPa)
Measurement of the force required to break the material at different elongation levels
Adhesion Performance (N/cm)
Higher values indicate stronger adhesion to metal substrates
Hardness (Shore A)
Measurement of the resistance of material to indentation
Elongation (%)
Measurement of the extent to which the material stretches before breaking
Technical advantages across tire applications
The versatility of ALNOVOL® PN 870 makes it an ideal tire additive for various applications:
Easily soluble in common solvents and effortlessly integrated into rubber compounds, ALNOVOL® PN 870 is optimized with the CYREZ® CRA-200 curing agent for best results.
allnex support
To simplify the adoption of sustainable tire additives, allnex provides tire manufacturers with:
Lead the automotive industry in sustainability
Adopting ALNOVOL® PN 870 positions tire manufacturers at the forefront of sustainability. By proactively transitioning to safer tire additives, extending tire durability and optimizing efficiency, manufacturers can reduce operational risks, enhance market reputation and generate significant cost savings.
FAQ
Let’s answer some of the most frequently asked questions about allnex’s UCECOAT® UV PUD range: