Japanese Tyre manufacturer Bridgestone Corporation announced in Singapore the development of world-class tires made from 100% sustainable materials, through new technologies that aims to contribute to a sustainable society. These technologies were announced at the World Rubber Summit 2012 by Chairman of the Board, Shoshi Arakawa.

It is widely known, that the transportation sector to have a significant impact on the environment, especially with usage of resources and CO2 emissions. Bridgestone being the world’s largest tyre and rubber manufacturer realises it can significantly lessen the impact. To fulfil the mission, Bridgestone will influence its technical capabilities and will diversify regions it produces natural rubber and expand the range of reinforced plant fibres it uses.

Bridgestone is also developing synthetic rubber, carbon black, and rubber compounding agents that can be created from biomass materials, to replace fossil resources. Bridgestone will continue developing technologies and will report the progress till 2050. Bridgestone is also developing tyres that reduce CO2 emissions by improving fuel efficiency. In addition to producing natural rubber in tropical regions, Bridgestone has developed natural rubber to be produced from plants grown in arid and temperate regions.

Reinforced fibres currently used in tyres are either petroleum based like polyester and nylon or plant based like rayon. Now, the Group has begun working on practical applications of new cellulose fibres. Technology allows synthetic rubber to be produced using materials derived from biomass materials.

The Group has developed a technology that allows carbon black to be retrieved from materials created from biomass. The most common compounds that can be retrieved include bioethanol. The Group is currently working to develop new highly-functional rubber materials utilising this diverse range of materials.