Bridgestone, Michelin target 'broad coalition' to progress supply of rCB

Tokyo - Bridgestone Corp. and Michelin Group are seeking to establish a broad coalition of stakeholders “to accelerate progress and increase supply of recovered carbon black (rCB),” the two companies have announced. 

ERJ yesterday reported that the world’s two largest tire makers were about to set out proposals for an industry-wide collaboration to develop production and markets for rCB from end-of-life tires (ELTs).   

According to the Bridgestone/Michelin statement, the goal is a “sustainable mobility ecosystem” supported by tire manufacturers, carbon black suppliers, pyrolysis partners and emerging technology startups. 

The two tire majors will deliver a shared perspective regarding material circularity and the ambition to increase the utilisation of rCB in tires on 22 Nov, at the Smithers Recovered Carbon Black Conference in Amsterdam.

"Increasing use of recovered carbon black in tires is critical to achieving Bridgestone's vision for sustainable mobility," said Jake Ronsholt, VP of strategy and transformation, Bridgestone Europe, Middle East, India and Africa who will co-present at the event. 

"Together with Michelin and other stakeholders, we can generate critical momentum on this important initiative and advance our efforts to reduce CO2 emissions,” he added.

Also commenting, Sander Vermeulen, VP end-of-life rubber products recycling business, Michelin, said discussions about the constraints and hurdles in the way of adopting recycled materials have been ongoing for years.

“We felt it was the time to stop discussing and actively contribute to finding solutions that would enable the rubber industry as a whole to become more circular,” he added.

“I am delighted that we found a partner in Bridgestone that shares our vision,” Vermeulen said, inviting “stakeholders across the tire and rubber value chain” to join the campaign. 

As part of the joint initiative, Bridgestone and Michelin will lead the development of a position paper that will outline the tire industry's role in achieving a circular economy. 

Later in 2022, the companies will release a white paper to outline the technical requirements, characteristics and proposed solutions to increase the utilisation of recovered carbon black in new tires.