Bridgestone, Michelin share rCB research results in joint white paper

Tokyo and Clermont-Ferrand, France – The world’s top two tire makers, Michelin and Bridgestone, have published a joint white paper, sharing the results of a year-long work on the use of recovered carbon black (rCB) within the industry.

The white paper follows a joint call for action by the two companies in 2021 and a position paper on the subject a year later.

In the technical white paper, published 6 Nov, Michelin and Bridgestone said they had produced “a set of definitions, proposed specifications, and guidelines for regulatory requirements.”

The paper also offers “a foundation” for supporting the growth of the rCB industry, said a joint statement by the partners.

Bridgestone and Michelin said they collaborated with rCB suppliers and other stakeholders in the value chain to define initial proposals for standards.

The proposal includes details about grades, specifications, and awareness of quality and performance requirements for the tire industry.

According to the partners, an estimated 1 billion tires, representing around 30 million tonnes of material, reach the end of their useful service life every year.

The statement noted that many technical challenges surrounding the use of recovered materials from end-of-life tires (ELTs) are currently understood.

However, it added, there remain “significant market barriers to achieving material circularity” at large scale.

For instance, currently fewer than 1% of all carbon black material used globally in new tire production comes from recycled ELTs, due to “a sub-optimal supply chain for the recovery and reuse of carbon black.”

The use of rCB, noted the two companies, enables the industry to reduce reliance on petrochemicals “without introducing performance compromises”.

Additionally, rCB in new tire production can reduce CO2 emissions in the manufacturing process by up to 85% compared to virgin materials.

“No one company can deliver the supply chain advancements necessary to achieve our shared aim of a more sustainable and circular tire economy,” said Marco Musaio, head of ELT & circular economy, Bridgestone Europe.

The use of rCB in tires is “a critical element” of Bridgestone’s efforts to achieve 100% sustainable tires by 2050, he added.

“The shift from a linear value chain to a circular one presents a crucial challenge necessitating a shift in mindset and increased adaptability,” added Fabien Gaboriaud Michelin SVP sustainable materials & circularity.

The partnership between Bridgestone and Michelin serves as “a prime illustration of this transition”, he added.