Bridgestone introduces new lightweight tire technology

Brussels – Bridgestone Corp. has unveiled a new technology to reduce tire weight with no trade-off in wear-life performance.

Enliten uses “breakthrough” technology to reduce weight by on average 10% from a standard premium summer touring tire, Bridgestone said in a 13 June statement.

The technology is also claimed to reduce the rolling resistance of a tire by up to 20% compared to a standard premium summer touring tire.

Enliten, according to Bridgestone, features a compound mix that enables improved wear performance and a decreased tread depth.

In addition, the company has used a reduced and reinforced inner liner thickness and a new dedicated mould design concept for the tire.

The lightweight tire ensures less use of raw materials while reducing fuel consumption, Bridgestone added.

“The technology even improves the vehicle’s handling and stability to increase driving pleasure,” the tire maker said.

“As we are working towards our long-term environmental vision to manufacture products from raw materials that are fully renewable and sustainable by 2050 and beyond, Enliten is a great step forward,” said Paolo Ferrari, CEO and president Bridgestone EMEA.

Enliten was introduced during the ERJ-organised Future Tire Conference 2019, held 11-12 June in Cologne.

The technology, said Christophe de Valroger, VP product and solutions strategy, Bridgestone Europe, will contribute to Bridgestone’s goal to use 100% sustainable materials by 2050.

Bridgestone expects to announce partnerships that will see Enliten technology applied to vehicles in the European market “soon”.