Vulkanox 4060 Offers New Alternative to 6PPD in Tires

LANXESS Develops New Tire Anti-Aging Agent

On September 8, LANXESS announced the development of Vulkanox 4060, a new anti-aging agent for the tire industry. The additive, identified chemically as CCPD (N,N'-Dicyclohexyl-p-phenylenediamine), was developed as an alternative to 6PPD, an anti-aging agent used in nearly all tires to help protect them from damage caused by oxygen and ozone. The development gives tire manufacturers another material option for tire protection while addressing growing attention around the environmental characteristics of tire-related chemicals. The announcement positions the new additive as a potential alternative within the established tire anti-aging agent market.

CCPD Evaluated Through Coho Salmon Testing

Environmental studies conducted to date have examined CCPD quinone, the corresponding transformation product of the new additive. In testing involving coho salmon, CCPD quinone demonstrated no observed acute effects up to the solubility limit. This finding is part of the environmental information associated with the material and provides a specific result from testing completed to date. The result does not change the identity or intended function of the additive, but it is relevant to the environmental assessment surrounding an alternative to 6PPD. The testing information therefore forms an important part of the announcement for tire manufacturers evaluating the material.

EU REACH Registration Enables European Market Use

With the completion of EU REACH registration, the additive is now approved for use in the European market. The registration marks an important regulatory step because it allows tire manufacturers operating in Europe to consider the material for applications where an alternative to 6PPD is relevant. For LANXESS, completion of the registration also supports the commercial availability of the newly developed anti-aging agent within the European market. The company stated that the product helps tire manufacturers stay ahead of regulatory trends, connecting the material's market availability with the industry's continuing need to respond to changing requirements.

Alternative to 6PPD for Tire Manufacturers

The development is centered on providing tire manufacturers with an alternative to an anti-aging agent that is already used in nearly all tires. The core function remains tire protection from damage caused by oxygen and ozone, while the environmental testing information and completed EU REACH registration add important considerations for adoption. Because the new material is positioned as an alternative rather than a change to the underlying need for anti-aging protection, its relevance is closely tied to manufacturers assessing available material choices. The European approval provides a defined market context in which manufacturers can evaluate the additive alongside existing tire anti-aging approaches.

Industry Impact & Outlook

The development could give tire manufacturers another option as environmental considerations and regulatory requirements increasingly influence material selection. Its completed EU REACH registration is particularly relevant to the European market, where manufacturers can now consider the additive within the approved regulatory framework. The coho salmon testing result for CCPD quinone may also become an important consideration in environmental evaluations, although the available information covers testing conducted to date rather than establishing broader long-term conclusions. The next practical step is likely to involve tire manufacturers assessing the material's suitability for their applications, while LANXESS continues positioning the additive as an alternative to 6PPD.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Vulkanox 4060?
Vulkanox 4060 is a newly developed tire anti-aging agent from LANXESS designed as an alternative to 6PPD. Its chemical name is CCPD (N,N'-Dicyclohexyl-p-phenylenediamine), and it is intended to help protect tires from damage caused by oxygen and ozone. The corresponding transformation product, CCPD quinone, demonstrated no observed acute effects in coho salmon testing up to the solubility limit. Following completion of EU REACH registration, the additive is approved for use in the European market, giving tire manufacturers another option to consider as regulatory trends evolve.