At IRDL, Milanta Tom has developed nanocomposites to enhance the durability of tires.
Milanta Tom, chercheur·e au sein de IRDL (Institut National Polytechnique de Bretagne).
Thèse soutenue en 2025 à l'école doctorale École doctorale Sciences Pour l'Ingénieur (Lorient ; 2022-....).
Référencée dans le réseau ABES/STAR, cette thèse répond aux critères de rigueur de l'enseignement supérieur français.
The tire industry is at a crucial turning point. Faced with increasing pressure to reduce its carbon footprint and the urgency of addressing environmental challenges, it must reinvent its materials and manufacturing processes. Milanta Tom's thesis, which focuses on nanocomposites based on nanocellulose and rubber, offers a promising pathway for this transformation. By integrating renewable and sustainable materials, this research aims to change the way tires are designed and manufactured while addressing contemporary environmental challenges.
Traditional tires, often criticized for their environmental impact, can benefit from the use of nanocellulose. This bio-based material, derived from cellulose, has unique characteristics that, when properly integrated into the rubber matrix, can enhance the mechanical properties of tires. For example, studies have shown that the addition of nanocellulose can increase wear resistance and durability of tires while reducing their weight. This translates into lower fuel consumption and CO2 emissions when using vehicles equipped with these new tires. Preliminary results from Milanta Tom's research indicate that optimizing the interactions between nanocellulose and rubber can lead to products that are not only more efficient but also more environmentally friendly.
However, the question arises: how can this innovation be implemented on a large scale? The challenges are numerous, particularly regarding the production and processing of nanocellulose. Establishing sustainable supply chains for the production of nanocellulose is essential. This involves developing methods for cultivating and harvesting raw materials that minimize environmental impact. Furthermore, advanced preparation and characterization techniques, such as the Taguchi method, are crucial for overcoming these obstacles. These methods allow for the optimization of nanocomposite formulations, ensuring that the desired properties are achieved reproducibly.
It is also crucial to consider the economic impact of this research. By integrating sustainable materials, the tire industry could not only reduce its long-term production costs but also meet a growing demand for more environmentally friendly products. Indeed, consumers are increasingly sensitive to the ecological impact of their choices, and companies that adopt sustainable practices can gain a competitive advantage in the market. Moreover, this transition to bio-based materials could also stimulate innovation and job creation in the biotechnology and advanced materials sectors.
The recommendations of this thesis go beyond mere research. They include promoting the use of these nanocomposites in the tire industry and encouraging future research on surface modifications of nanocelluloses. Indeed, improving interfacial properties could pave the way for a true revolution in the sector, particularly in West Africa, where sustainable industrialization is essential for economic development. In this region, leveraging local resources to produce sustainable materials could not only reduce dependence on imports but also foster the development of a circular economy.
In summary, Milanta Tom's thesis is not just an academic advancement. It represents an opportunity for the tire industry to reinvent itself and commit to real sustainability. Stakeholders in the sector, whether tire manufacturers, researchers, or policymakers, must seize this chance to transform their practices and meet the expectations of modern consumers. By adopting innovative solutions like nanocomposites based on nanocellulose, the industry can not only improve its performance but also contribute to the preservation of our planet for future generations.
Accéder à l'étude complète
Sources et accès
Milanta Tom. Development of nanocellulose/rubber nanocomposites for tyre engineering : Role of interfacial modifications of nanocellulose on the morphology and ultimate properties of composites. Materials. Université de Bretagne Sud, 2025. English. ⟨NNT : 2025LORIS742⟩. ⟨tel-05513440⟩