Bridgestone, BB&G, Versalis partner on tire recycling

Tire manufacturer Bridgestone has signed a joint agreement with BB&G and Versalis to develop a closed-loop tire supply chain.

The companies agreed to collaborate on research and technical solutions to scale end-of-life tire (ELT) recycling for the production of new tires. In doing so, they aim to advance pyrolysis technology and market circular polymers for tires. This is part of a push to improve sustainability within the synthetic rubber sector.

Technology firm BB&G transforms ELTs into renewable raw products using a thermal conversion process of pyrolysis. It inaugurated a commercial tire pyrolysis oil (TPO) unit, located in Fatima, Portugal, in July 2024.

Chemical company Versalis will incorporate BB&G's pyrolysis oil over the next few months into expanding its range of products — including elastomers and polymers — derived from chemical recycling and bio-based feedstocks.

With that, Bridgestone in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) looks to employ these circular elastomers into manufacturing new tires. The first batch of tires is anticipated in early 2025.

"At Bridgestone, we have set a goal of working with 100pc sustainable materials by 2050, and recycling and reusing products is an important part of this," said Bridgestone's EMEA president Laurent Dartoux, which also supports initiatives "on co-creating new and environmentally responsible ways to maximize the complete lifecycle of our tires."

By Joshua Himelfarb