Bridgestone and Michelin Present Findings on RCB Joint White Paper

Bridgestone and Michelin have presented a joint white paper on recovered carbon black

Bridgestone Corporation and Michelin Group have published a joint technical white paper to share the results of their work with stakeholders in the rCB community to develop a proposed global standard to increase the utilisation of recovered carbon black material in tyres.

In 2022, the two companies released a position paper focused on the joint initiative to increase the use of recovered carbon black. The position paper outlined the reasoning behind this important call to action and the goals that Bridgestone and Michelin plan to achieve through this collaboration. Bridgestone and Michelin collaborated with recovered carbon black (rCB) suppliers and other stakeholders in the value chain to define initial proposals for standards, including grades, specifications, and awareness of quality and performance requirements for the tire industry. The two companies have produced a set of definitions, proposed specifications, and guidelines for regulatory requirements, as well as a foundation for supporting the growth of the rCB industry.

Today, fewer than 1 per cent of all carbon black material used globally in new tyre production comes from recycled end-of-life tyres, due to a sub-optimal supply chain for the recovery and reuse of carbon black.

The use of rcb recovered from end-of-life tyres has the potential to reduce reliance on virgin carbon black, which is produced by burning fossil fuels. Additionally, using recovered carbon black in new tyre production can reduce CO₂ emissions in new tyre production 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 End-of-Life Tire & Circular Economy, Bridgestone Europe. “The use of recovered carbon black in tyres is a critical element of our efforts to achieve products that are made from 100 per cent sustainable materials by 2050.”

“The shift from a linear value chain to a circular one presents a crucial challenge necessitating a shift in mindset and increased adaptability. The partnership between Bridgestone and Michelin serves as a prime illustration of this transition, aimed at fostering the development of a novel value chain for reclaimed carbon black. The conversion of End-of-Life Tyres into cutting-edge materials that can be reused in our tires marks a significant initial stride towards achieving our goal of 40 per cent recycled and renewable sustainable materials by 2030”, said Fabien Gaboriaud, Senior Vice President of Sustainable Materials & Circularity, Michelin.