Representing tiremakers from North America, Japan, South Korea and Europe, the CEO group received an update to a project started in 2005. The independent research project, funded initially with $1 million, was to examine issues related to materials used in tire manufacturing, and the impact of tire-wear particles generated during normal product use.

Over the next 12 to 18 months, the tiremakers will work with material suppliers to better understand the current potential and future risks for chemicals in tires, and perform sample collection and characterization of tire-wear particles found in the environment. By late 2008, the group said, the program should permit a more precise risk assessment of both concerns.

Participating companies include Bridgestone, Continental, Cooper, Goodyear, Hankook, Kumho, Michelin, Pirelli, Sumitomo, Toyo and Yokohama. Representatives of tire industry associations in Europe, Japan, South Korea and the United States also attended the meeting.