Bridgestone is set to build a pilot demonstration plant for precise pyrolysis of end-of-life tyres at its facility in Seki City, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. The plant, slated to commence operations in 2027, aims to advance horizontal tyre recycling by extracting tyre-derived oil and recovered carbon black from discarded tyres. By demonstrating this technology, Bridgestone seeks to accelerate the adoption of chemical recycling solutions. The project is a key component of the company’s “Sowing New Seeds” initiative under its Mid-Term Business Plan (2024–2026), designed to drive sustainable growth.

The pilot demonstration plant will be located at the Bridgestone Seki Plant in Seki Industrial Park, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. Construction is scheduled to begin in November 2025, with operations expected to commence in September 2027. Once operational, the facility will have the capacity to process approximately 7,500 tonnes of end-of-life tyres per year.

Since 2022, Bridgestone has been developing chemical recycling solutions to support a circular economy. In 2023, the company installed a test unit at its Bridgestone Innovation Park (BIP) in Kodaira City, Tokyo, to refine the process of obtaining tyre-derived oil and recovered carbon black via precise pyrolysis. The oil is further processed to produce chemical compounds such as butadiene, a critical raw material for synthetic rubber, enabling the possibility of reintroducing both oil and carbon black into tyre manufacturing.

The new pilot plant will integrate the technological foundations established at BIP, scaling up operations for the mass production of tyre-derived oil and recovered carbon black through stable and continuous processes. Bridgestone also aims to deepen its expertise in chemical recycling by advancing plant operational knowledge and talent development in the field.

The initiative has been selected by Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) as part of the "Development of Chemical Manufacturing Technology from Used Tyres" under its "Green Innovation Fund Project." It is also a collaborative effort with ENEOS Corporation. The recovered carbon black produced at the plant will contribute to the development of eco Carbon Black (eCB), which offers rubber reinforcement properties comparable to virgin carbon black derived from petroleum and coal. This research forms part of a separate NEDO-backed project on carbon recycling from polymer products, conducted in partnership with Tokai Carbon Co., Ltd.

Bridgestone continues to advance its EVERTIRE INITIATIVE, a commercialisation effort focused on recycling tyres into rubber and other raw materials through strategic partnerships. The company’s commitment to environmental sustainability aligns with its broader "Bridgestone E8 Commitment," which prioritises ecological preservation and the transition to carbon-neutral mobility.

Under its long-term vision, Bridgestone is integrating sustainability across its value chain, from production and sales to usage and renewal of tyres. The company is positioning itself as a key player in achieving carbon neutrality, fostering a circular economy, and promoting environmental stewardship.

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Linglong Tire has renewed its partnership with Real Madrid, continuing as the club’s global tyre partner for the 2025/2026 season. The collaboration kicks off as Real Madrid begins their La Liga campaign with a home match against Osasuna at the iconic Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.

As the Official Tyre Partner, Linglong Tire will enjoy prominent visibility across multiple platforms. During all La Liga and Copa del Rey home matches, the brand will be showcased on the stadium’s digital perimeter boards and partner signage. Additionally, the Linglong logo will appear on Real Madrid’s official website and in their digital and print magazines. The sponsorship also includes TV advertisements on Real Madrid TV, VIP hospitality opportunities and the rights to use official partnership branding. The deal further integrates Linglong into the club’s media initiatives, amplifying its global reach.

To engage fans, Linglong Tire is running interactive campaigns on its social media channels. For the season opener against Osasuna, the company gave away two pairs of VIP tickets through a raffle. A follow-up contest is currently active on Linglong’s European and German Instagram and Facebook pages, offering fans the chance to win VIP tickets for the second home match against Real Mallorca.

Real Madrid’s unparalleled success – including 15 UEFA Champions League titles, 36 La Liga trophies and numerous other domestic and international honours – solidifies its status as one of the world’s most prestigious football clubs. This partnership allows Linglong Tire to align with a globally recognised brand while enhancing its own visibility in the sports and automotive industries.

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China's Sailun Group has signed a landmark deal with Egypt to build a large-scale automotive tyre factory in the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCEZ), with total investments of USD 1 billion. The project marks a major milestone in Sailun’s global expansion strategy and reinforces its position as one of the top 10 global tyre manufacturers.

Spanning 350,000 sqm, the facility will take three years to complete and will eventually produce 10 million tyres annually, serving both the domestic market and exports. The first phase is due to be completed in 2026.

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Vaculug, Europe’s largest independent retreader producing high-quality OTR and truck retread tyres for fleets across the UK and Europe, has opened its new OTR Centre of Excellence in Kent to cater to the heavy equipment industry in the South of England via faster service, advanced technology and greener solutions.

The centre provides round-the-clock distribution, same-day click-and-collect services, tyre pressing and over 1,000 tyres in stock, along with exchange wheel assemblies for top brands. A key highlight is the upgraded Tyrfil recycling system, which reduces waste by reusing 50 percent recycled material in each new tyre fill through a closed-loop process. With this step, Vaculug has reiterated its dedication to innovation, customer service and sustainable technology, ensuring uninterrupted operations for clients while solidifying its leadership in the industry.

Michael Evans, Operations & OTR Director at Vaculug, said, “This new depot is a major milestone for Vaculug. It strengthens our position in the OTR market while supporting our sustainability commitments. We are better equipped than ever to meet the demands of our customers and help them keep their operations running smoothly.”

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Research analysing 850+ studies reveals fragmented methodologies hampering understanding of environmental impact

Scientists have called for urgent standardisation of methods used to measure and assess tyre wear emissions, following publication of what they describe as the most comprehensive review of research in the field to date.

The "State of Knowledge" series, which analysed more than 850 peer-reviewed scientific publications spanning four decades, has revealed significant gaps and inconsistencies in current understanding of how tyres shed particles and chemicals during use.

The research highlights how fragmented approaches across different studies have prevented scientists from drawing definitive conclusions about the environmental and health impacts of tyre wear emissions, which occur when tyres interact with road surfaces during driving.

"The topic of tyre wear emissions is extremely complex, multi-dimensional, and unfortunately only partially understood," said Dr Stephan Wagner, one of the paper's lead authors. "Until these gaps are closed, there is a growing concern that decisions about tyre emissions could be based on incomplete science."

The first two papers in the three-part series focus on characterising tyre wear emissions and assessing their environmental impact. A third paper examining potential health impacts is expected later this year.

The research, supported by the Tire Industry Project - part of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development - found that tyre wear creates not just particles but also releases volatile compounds and dissolved chemicals that can leach into the environment.

Current data suggests the risk from most tyre and road wear particles in water and soil is "generally lower down the priority list", according to the environmental risk assessment paper. However, researchers said insufficient data exists on tyre leachables and volatile compounds to make a full assessment.

The studies propose a tiered measurement framework and call for harmonised testing protocols to enable meaningful comparisons between different research efforts.

"The SOK underscores why we need a concerted, multi-stakeholder response to close the knowledge gaps, now more than ever," said Larisa Kryachkova, executive director at the Tire Industry Project.

The research comes as regulators worldwide grapple with how to address microplastic pollution, including particles from tyre wear. The European Union has been considering regulations on tyre emissions as part of broader environmental protection measures.

The authors suggest existing frameworks for assessing microplastics could provide a starting point for developing tyre emission guidelines, with modifications to account for the unique characteristics of tyre wear materials.

"We hope that these papers will encourage the scientific community and serve as a catalyst for further research and standardisation," Wagner concluded.

The Tire Industry Project plans to host a research conference at MIT in Boston to promote collaborative approaches to addressing the knowledge gaps identified in the review.

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