Salish Sea Currents Series

Seeking alternatives to 6PPD

A chemical found in virtually all tires manufactured around the world can turn deadly for some salmon species. Chemical companies are searching for an alternative, but say the unique chemistry and function of 6PPD are major challenges. Formal legal processes are underway in Washington and California to seek alternatives to the highly toxic chemical in tire, and tire companies and their chemical suppliers are working overtime to find a safe and effective replacement for the tire additive. 


A chemical found in tires is leading to the deaths of untold numbers of coho salmon in Puget Sound every year. Chemical companies are searching for an alternative but say the unique chemistry and function of 6PPD are major challenges.
Formal legal processes are underway in Washington and California to seek alternatives to the highly toxic chemical 6PPD in tires.

With a worldwide market valuation somewhere around $1 billion a year for the single chemical 6PPD, tire companies and their chemical suppliers are working overtime to find a safe and effective replacement for the tire additive. The financial stakes are enormous, since virtually every tire on the market today contains 6PPD.