Schwalbe and BASF Develop New Bicycle Tube Made Entirely of Elastollan®

Schwalbe is launching next-generation bicycle tubes based on BASF's thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) Elastollan®. This innovation achieves top ratings in terms of weight, puncture resistance, performance characteristics, assembly ease and packaging size. Aerothan bicycle tubes are the result of research and development work by BASF's Performance Materials division in the bicycle tires and inner tubes sector in Europe. Schwalbe Product Manager Felix Schäfermeier said, "In developing Aerothan bicycle tubes, we were breaking new ground from the start. The development work between BASF and Schwalbe resulted in a high-quality alternative to conventional bicycle tubes." The new Aerothan bicycle tubes are designed around a specially developed material combination based on BASF's Elastollan®. Close collaboration sees targeted material development and tube prototype production take place at BASF's Lemförde Technical Center, followed by tube assembly and intensive testing at Schwalbe. The result is an optimum material and processing mix that not only delivers strong performance but also makes the new bicycle tube approximately 40% lighter than current alternatives on the market. To achieve this, all components of the new tube, including the valve body, are made entirely from Elastollan®.   Source