Bridgestone Corporation announced that it will be supporting the 2025 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge (BWSC) with ENLITEN™ technology tires, which feature the first application of new recycled materials developed through co-creation with partners, increasing the ratio of recycled and renewable materials to over 65%. The company will supply these tires to 33 teams from 17 locations.

The BWSC, which will take place August 24 through 31, is the world’s foremost solar car event. Held every two years, participants are challenged with traversing approximately 3,000 kilometers across the Australian continent using only limited solar power. Bridgestone has been the title sponsor of BWSC since 2013; this event underscores Bridgestone’s focus on accelerating innovation for next-generation mobility, including EVs and electric vehicles, as well as developing the engineers who will shape the future of mobility.

For the 2025 BWSC, Bridgestone will supply tires with ENLITEN technology, which ensures the performance required for solar cars while further advancing sustainability. For the first time, Bridgestone has applied recovered carbon black and steel, which are recycled materials developed and produced through co-creation efforts focused on advancing recycling technology that 'renews' tires to raw materials. Furthermore, the company is evolving its sustainability initiatives throughout the value chain, such as reducing the number of tires used and introducing low-carbon tire shipment for contributing to a circular economy and carbon neutrality.

Through the BWSC as a 'mobile laboratory,' Bridgestone will refine its technology, thereby strengthening future sustainable global motorsports activities. Additionally, by pushing the limits and challenging for excellence, alongside participating teams that share a passion to race, Bridgestone is committed to accelerating innovation for the future of mobility.

Bridgestone's initiatives in sustainability for the 2025 BWSC are as follows:

1. Applied New Recycled Materials through Co-Creation with Partners – Achieving over 65% recycled and renewable materials

Recovered carbon black obtained from a precise pyrolysis of end-of-life tires using Bridgestone’s test unit, in co-creation with ENEOS.

Since 2022, Bridgestone has been advancing its efforts in chemical recycling of end-of-life tires to contribute to the realization of a circular economy. In 2023, the company introduced a test unit at the Bridgestone Innovation Park in Kodaira City, Tokyo, and has been further developing technology to obtain recovered carbon black, etc. through the precise pyrolysis of end-of-life tires in collaboration with ENEOS Corporation. Bridgestone has made the first application of the recovered carbon black obtained at its own test unit for 2025 BWSC tires.

Recycled steel through co-creation with Nippon Steel and Sanyo Special Steel

Since 2022, Bridgestone has been collaborating with Nippon Steel Corporation and Sanyo Special Steel Co., Ltd. to promote the recycling of end-of-life tires in alignment with their shared vision for a circular economy. In a first for BWSC tires, the company has incorporated bead wire, a reinforcement material for tires, made from recycled steel obtained from end-of-life tires collected at the Bridgestone Tire Recycle Center Osaka. The recycled steel is obtained from end-of-life tires in Sanyo Special Steel’s electric furnace, and then is rolled and heat-treated to bead wire at Nippon Steel’s facility.

1. New Premium – Evolution of ENLITEN technology

The tires for the 2025 BWSC will equip the ENLITEN technology, continuing from the previous event, achieving a high level of both environmental performance and tire performance. Through co-creation with partners, Bridgestone has enhanced environmental performance that contributes to sustainability by applying new recycled resources mentioned above, as well as the new aramid material Twaron® with circular content by Teijin Aramid. At the same time, the tires ensure low rolling resistance, durability, lightweight construction, and puncture resistance required for solar cars, maximizing their performance and supporting safe and secure long-distance journey of approximately 3,000 km under the harsh conditions of the BWSC.

2. Low carbon emission logistics in tire shipping

For BWSC tire shipment, Bridgestone works with DHL, utilizing its GoGreen Plus solution. By using sustainable maritime fuel, it enables to reduce CO2 emissions by up to 85% across the entire lifecycle (Well-to-Wake) of fuel production, transportation, storage, and onboard usage, achieving low carbon shipment.

The BWSC showcases the "Energy," “Ecology” and "Emotion" values of the Bridgestone E8 Commitment, which outline Bridgestone's corporate commitment to the realization of a carbon neutral mobility society (Energy); advancing sustainable tire technologies and solutions that preserve the environment for future generations (Ecology); and inspiring excitement and spreading joy to the world of mobility (Emotion).

For more details, proceed to Bridgestone's official press release.