Since the mid-1980s, compounds based on silica reinforcement have partially displaced those based on carbon black to give improvements in tire performance parameters such as rolling resistance and traction. A reduction in rolling resistance can also reduce fuel consumption and therefore the emission of "greenhouse gases" such as CO2. These compounds also use Silica and silane and increasing quantities of solution SBR and BR.

New methods of tyre manufacture also reduce the energy consumption and improve tyre quality.
This paper discusses these developments.