Bridgestone starts series production of 55% sustainable-material tire

Brussels – Bridgestone Corp. has started series production of tires incorporating 55% sustainable materials, with the launch of its ultra-high performance Potenza Sport A.

Developed in Europe and produced at Bridgestone’s manufacturing site near Rome, it features 35% ISCC+ certified renewable materials, including natural rubber and bio-attributed polymers.

With EU label A grades for wet grip and rolling resistance, the Potenza Sport A also includes 20% ISCC+ certified recycled materials, said a Bridgestone release issued 3 Sept.

Compound ingredients, it stated, include ground rubber from end-of-life tires (ELTs), circular oil-derived carbon black, rice husk ash silica, lignin and ELT-based recovered carbon black.

The entire production process at the ISO 50001-certified Roma plant is 100% electric, with the electricity being produced from renewable sources, the tire maker further noted.

Emphasising that the Potenza Sport A is not a concept or pilot project, Bridgestone said the tire had been chosen by Audi as OE for its new e-tron GT. 

The globally OE-homologated tire, it added, “went through Audi’s rigorous testing and was recognised for providing high performance… outstanding safety and sustainability.”

The Potenza Sport A was developed with Bridgestone’s Enliten technology, which is said to improve sustainability by reducing materials-consumption and lowering product weight.

The tire represents a “significant milestone” for Bridgestone in its journey to 100% sustainable tires by 2050, according to Steven De Bock, vice president OE at Bridgestone EMEA.

Mass-production of a tire “incorporating such a high percentage of ISCC Plus certified recycled and renewable materials… furthers the adoption of a circular economy in our business,” said De Bock.