Bridgestone, Tokai Carbon in link-up to advance rCB properties

Tokyo – Bridgestone Corp. and Tokai Carbon Co. have joined forces to advance the processing technology for recovered carbon black (rCB) derived from end-of-life tires (ELTs).

The Japanese companies have launched a programme in partnership with Kyushu University and Okayama University to develop a technology to perform “secondary processing” on tire-derived rCB.

The project aims to convert the rCB material to eco carbon black (eCB) with rubber reinforcement properties equivalent to those of virgin carbon black (vCB), Bridgestone said 27 Jan.

According to the tire maker, eCB is a trademark pending registration by Tokai Carbon.

Supported by Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organisation (NEDO), the project aims to address the ‘practical application of rCB’ in new tires, which Bridgestone said “still faces challenges.”

For instance, it said, rCB has lower rubber reinforcement performance compared to vCB, primarily due to the presence of numerous impurities.

Additionally, the thermal recover of ELTs leads to CO2 emissions.

As part of the collaboration, the partners aim to develop a technology to remove impurities from rCB and produce a filler material with “superior rubber reinforcing properties.”

The project's objective is to establish a demonstration plant capable of producing 5 kilotonnes per annum (ktpa) by fiscal year 2032.

Additionally, the project will focus on developing special polymer/carbon composites that enable the reuse of carbon black without the need for pyrolysis of ELTs.

This initiative aims to develop advanced recycling of resources to help reduce CO2 emissions associated with the production of carbon black and the recycling of ELTs.

Tokai Carbon will be in charge of developing technology and equipment for secondary processing of rCB while Bridgestone will evaluate the physical properties of rubber using eCB in its tires.

Kyushu University will observe and evaluate the surface state of eCB and elucidate rubber reinforcement mechanisms.

Okayama University has been tasked with the development of special polymers/special carbon composites.