US-based Bridgestone announced recently that it has commenced producing tires containing carbon black (rCB) at its facility in Des Moines. In tire production, the company relies on carbon black supplies from its partner Delta-Energy, and uses its product, D-E Black, as the only source of the recycled material.

Currently, Bridgestone has bought some 215 metric tons of Delta Energy’s rCB – this is the equivalent of over 60,000 scrap tires. By the end of next year, the company expects to apply around 6,800 of D-E Black, which would reduce over 20 million pounds of carbon emissions.

Like other recovered carbon black, D-E Black is produced via scrap tires pyrolysis and it has similar properties of virgin carbon black and serves as its substitute. The special patented technology used to receive the rCB that relies on DEPolymerization results in significant reduction of carbon dioxide emission in comparison to the conventional carbon black.

The purchase comes after in 2014 Bridgestone became an equity partner of Delta-Energy. The agreement with the rCB supplier represents Bridgestone’s commitment to sustainability, circular economy advancement and its ambition to use 100% sustainable materials. The company also mentioned other steps that they are planning to take in order to promote circular economy. Bridgestone vowed to continue to develop guayule rubber at its Biorubber Process Research Center in Mesa, Ariz.

Article by Bridgestone Americas.