Bridgestone Displays Concept Tyre 2012 Paris Motor Show

Bridgestone Corporation is exhibiting a concept tyre of “100% sustainable materials” at the 2012 Paris Motor Show.

The tyre on exhibit represents an example of Bridgestone’s use of advanced materials technologies to achieve the commitment of using “100% sustainable materials” in its tyre manufacturing for 2050 and beyond.

The development of the concept tyre is the result of collaborative efforts with a number of resources, including academia. In order to achieve the level of “100% sustainable materials”, Bridgestone is diversifying the regions where it produces natural rubber and also expanding the range of reinforced plant fibers it uses.  Additionally, fossil resource based components such as synthetic rubber, carbon black and rubber compounding agents in the tyre were synthesized from biomass.

As a next step in the process, the Bridgestone Group will establish a framework of research and development and initiate the necessary core technologies to begin mass production. Further, Bridgestone is targeting the year 2020 for commercial sales of certain sustainable materials used in the manufacturing process.