Falken Tyres has introduced its latest tire model, the Ziex ZE320, which incorporates sustainable rice husk silica to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The Ziex ZE320, the successor to the Ziex ZE310 Ecorun, is designed to provide improved performance and be more environmentally friendly. The first 12 sizes of the tire are expected to be available in Europe by early summer 2024, with an additional 48 sizes planned for release by spring 2025.
The 60 planned sizes will range from 15in to 18in, with a maximum W speed rating of up to 270 km/h, and will also include “H” and “V” variants. The new tire, manufactured in Turkey, features an eco-friendly filler derived from rice husks. This agricultural by-product can be used as a source of silica in a process that produces lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to the traditional process of extracting silica from sand. This method also enables the conversion of heat generated during the process into electrical energy for further processing tasks, reducing CO2 emissions overall.
A pre-production version of the Falken Ziex ZE320 has already been revealed to trade media. In March 2024, testers noted the progress during a competitive product test. “With its successor to the ZE310 Ecorun, Falken appears to have achieved great success. In initial tests, the new product has made significant advances in every area and achieved a very strong performance overall. Even without ‘Ecorun’ in its name, its rolling resistance is noticeably lower,” said journalists from Auto Zeitung magazine.
