Bridgestone gets recycled steel tyre reinforcement from Bekaert

Bridgestone Corporation has received the first batch of tyre reinforcement with third-party certified recycled steel content from Belgium-based steel wire company, Bekaert.

Bekaert says this successful pilot represents the first step toward setting an industry standard for recycled content in tyre reinforcement.

Highlighting the environmental impact, Bekaert emphasised that the substantial recycled content in its products contributes to a 50 per cent reduction in the CO2 footprint.

Bekaert says its tyre reinforcement comprises a minimum recycled content of 50 per cent for tyre cord and 70 per cent for bead wire. The processes at both the supplier’s wire rod factory and Bekaert’s steel cord plant enable precise tracing of content composition.

Heiko Isselee, innovation platform manager recycled steel, at Bekaert said: “There are many claims about circularity of materials in the tyre industry, but lack of clear definitions and standards can lead to doubt on the validity of those claims.

“This third-party certification of both Bekaert and our wire rod supplier enables us to provide our customers with a guarantee of compliance of the recycled content claims based on recognised industry standards.

“This certificate allows customers to confidently include the recycled content in the Bekaert products to the tally of recycled content in their tyres.”