TyrFil Flatproofing: Industry Founding. Industry Leading.
A look back on a 55-year history of innovation, reliability and improved safety.
As the founder and pioneer of the tire fill technology market, Carlisle TyrFil has helped thousands of businesses in the U.S. and globally to put a halt to unwanted, dangerous and costly on-the-job tire flats in Off-the-Road (OTR) commercial and industrial heavy equipment. Tire fill (also known as “foam fill” technology) is a polyurethane liquid that is pumped into standard pneumatic tires to replace air with a resilient, synthetic elastomer core that eliminates unanticipated tire flats on transportation and “work horse” equipment (such as bulldozers, excavators, telehandlers and more) that are pivotal to operational success in fields such as construction, waste management, mining and agribusiness.
Reliable. Cost efficient. Sustainable. These are hallmarks of Carlisle TyrFil innovation, more than five decades in the making. Introduced in 1971, TyrFil™ flatproofing technology is the original patented formulation that renders tire flats non-existent, while also advancing sustainable solutions to make OTR heavy equipment operation safer and more eco-friendly for the environment. Today, the brand remains committed to bringing innovative new solutions to market that significantly reduce the usage of oil, petrochemicals, toxic metals and other environmentally harmful compounds.
How the tire fill industry was established more than five decades ago.
The TyrFil™ flatproofing brand is widely recognized across the industry as the “father” of the tire fill technology marketplace and is proud to continue driving innovation within the OTR tire industry—helping to transform equipment performance, operator safety, and jobsite productivity around the world. Two legacy companies—Arnco and Pathway Polymers/Synair—played a foundational role in shaping what is now Carlisle TyrFil, the world’s leading flatproofing solution and a widely embraced alternative to solid aperture tires in OTR commercial and industrial applications. Early TyrFil pioneers Ransom Wyman and Edward Gomberg—holders of the original patents and foundational innovators of today’s technology—played a preeminent role in shaping the flatproofing industry and building what has become a global standard. While these gentlemen initially worked side by side in rigorous competition, they collectively made a groundbreaking impact on the marketplace.
In 1968, Wyman, working with Industrial Polymers, developed a method to flatproof tires by injecting a castable urethane material into the tire casing. This process proved effective in preventing flats, as demonstrated when he flatproofed tires on a straddle crane at Kaiser Steel. During essentially the same period, Gomberg acquired Indpol in 1971, and later founded Synair, and continued to develop tire flatproofing technologies. He obtained a patent for a method of filling tires with a polyurethane foam, which became the foundational TyrFil technology in the industry. Later, a third innovator, Roger Cude, a chemist who worked with Wyman at Indpol, then played a significant role in adapting the polyurethane foam fill technology for tire applications. He eventually co-founded Arnco.
Synair and Arnco remained as ardent independent developers—pursuing further innovations in the tire flatproofing market until 2013, when both entities were acquired and joined together by Accella Performance Materials. As a result of the companies merging, their joint years of reciprocal innovations were then fortified under one chemical sciences team which become a leading global supplier of polyurethane tire fill solutions for OTR equipment, processing over a billion pounds of material since its inception. In 2017, the contemporary Carlisle TyrFil brand emerged from these early innovations when Carlisle acquired Accella Performance Materials.
How TyrFil™ flatproofing technology enhances reliability for heavy-duty OTR equipment.
For the past five decades, TyrFil technology has revolutionized tire flatproofing—and led a multitude of customers around the world to try and embrace a more sustainable and cost-effective alternate tire solution. TyrFil is pumped into standard pneumatic tire carcasses and cures within 24 to 48 hours, forming a resilient, elastomer core for commercial and industrial-sized tires used on OTR heavy equipment. This type of equipment is essential for streamlined jobsite operations—and TyrFil “foam fill” formulations provide a reliable, flatproofing solution that eliminates tire-related disruptions. In addition to flatproofing, the use of TyrFil technology helps to prevent on-the-job worker injuries by eliminating tire blowouts and increasing stability of the equipment.
Another essential advantage of using TyrFil flatproofing over other tire technology options, including solid aperture tires, is the smoother and less jarring/jolting ride that many operators experience during their multiple hours behind the wheel. TyrFil delivers a significantly smoother ride because of substantially lower G-force transmission and vastly reduced cross-axle tire vibration that can leave operators suffering from the potentially serious effects of “Whole Body Vibration” (or WBV). This condition is more likely to be associated with solid aperture tire use that may leave operators exposed to a continually bumpy driving experience within the vehicle cab that can take a measured toll on the human muscular/skeletal system—not to mention exacerbating premature wear and tear on expensive OTR equipment.
Moreover, not only does “foam fill” offer a smoother ride and eliminate unexpected tires flats and punctures, but it also enables operators to select a customized tire durometer most suited to specific worksite/application requirements. For example, if a heavy piece of equipment will be operated on a slanted or graded hillside, a specific tire durometer (or level of hardness) can be selected to mitigate the risk of a dangerous vehicle tip-over, which would present a potentially grave risk to the equipment operator and nearby workers.
Eco-Friendly Solutions. Real-World Performance.
Carlisle TyrFil supports sustainable operations through its innovative Recycling Processing Equipment, which enables the reuse of cured tire fill material—reducing the need for virgin product and minimizing landfill waste. By repurposing used tire fill and extending the life of pneumatic tire carcasses, this technology lowers the environmental impact of disposal and helps prevent the accumulation of solid tire waste. Carlisle’s R&D and chemical engineering teams continue to advance this closed-loop approach, delivering innovative, eco-conscious solutions for industries that depend on rugged, reliable transportation.
Join generations of OTR equipment owners & operators opting for greater workplace efficiency.
Whether you’re a project manager, fleet supervisor, or rental equipment provider, any professional responsible for maintaining uptime and equipment performance can benefit from switching to flatproofed tire technology. By eliminating flats and reducing ride-related disruptions, this solution helps maximize productivity and protect valuable assets—delivering both operational efficiency and measurable cost savings. It’s a smarter way to keep operations rolling smoothly, even in the most demanding environments.
Carlisle TyrFil has proudly served the Off-the-Road (OTR) industry for more than 55 years, continuing to lead the way with advanced flatproofing technology that enhances equipment performance, operator safety, and jobsite efficiency around the world. No other tire solution eliminates tire flats and punctures with the ease and affordability of TyrFil™ flatproofing. Choose the trusted source that can help to sustain your fiscal goals and explore the TyrFil™ flatproofing solution best suited for the needs of your OTR equipment fleet and specific vertical sector. Visit us today and learn information at CarlisleTyrFil.com.
