Bridgestone, Grupo BB&G, and Versalis Join Forces to Recycle Tires in Closed-Loop System

Bridgestone EMEA, Grupo BB&G, and Versalis (Eni) have formed a strategic partnership to create a circular economy for end-of-life tires. By combining their expertise and resources, the companies aim to develop a scalable and sustainable supply chain that transforms used tires into new tire materials. This innovative collaboration will contribute to a more circular economy and reduce the environmental impact of tire waste.

Bridgestone, BB&G, and Versalis have formed a partnership to address this issue by developing innovative and environmentally responsible methods to enhance sustainability in the synthetic rubber industry. Their collaboration aims to maximize the complete lifecycle of a tire, contributing to the achievement of their environmental goals by transforming end-of-life tires (ELTs) into valuable resources for new tire production.

The partnership will use pyrolysis, a process that converts ELTs into tire pyrolysis oil (TPO), which can then be used to produce high-quality elastomers similar to those derived from traditional feedstock. This collaboration seeks to advance pyrolysis technology and the production of TPO, with the goal of scaling these polymers in the market as a circular resource for new tire manufacturing. BB&G's role in the partnership involves utilizing its thermomechanical pyrolysis process to recycle ELTs on a commercial scale, leveraging its expertise in this area.

BB&G has spent the past decade building and operating two generations of pilot plants and recently commissioned its first commercial-scale tire pyrolysis production unit in Fatima, Portugal. This facility, operational since July 2024, marks a significant step in validating the feasibility and quality of the pyrolysis process on a commercial scale. The TPO produced at this plant will be integrated into Versalis' manufacturing processes, with the first batch of circular elastomers expected to be used by Bridgestone for tire production in early 2025.

Versalis, Eni’s chemical arm, is contributing to this partnership through its expertise in circular technologies and polymer recycling. The company has been actively working on diversifying its feedstock sources, including renewable and secondary raw materials. By integrating BB&G’s pyrolysis oil into its supply chain, Versalis will expand its Balance® product range, which is ISCC PLUS certified, and continue to produce high-performance elastomers. Bridgestone will then transform these elastomers into new tires that incorporate a higher percentage of rubber derived from secondary raw materials, furthering their commitment to sustainability.

Laurent Dartoux, Group President of Bridgestone EMEA and Global Sustainability Initiative Lead at Bridgestone Corporation, emphasizes that Bridgestone is committed to achieving 100% sustainable materials by 2050. Recycling and reusing products are key components of this goal. The partnership with Grupo BB&G and Versalis aims to tackle the challenge of recycling tires, contributing significantly to this target. Additionally, this collaboration aligns with Bridgestone’s E8 corporate commitment and supports the global EVERTIRE initiative, which focuses on developing new, environmentally responsible methods to maximize the complete lifecycle of tires.

Adriano Alfani, CEO of Versalis (Eni), highlighted that their commitment to circularity is reflected in the development of lower-carbon solutions that align with the value chain established with industry partners Bridgestone EMEA and Grupo BB&G. This agreement is designed to deliver maximum value to customers while providing an innovative boost to the tire industry.

Germano Carreira, CEO of BB&G, emphasized that the strategic partnership with Bridgestone and Versalis marks a significant milestone in accelerating tire recycling on a global scale. He highlighted that the collaboration validates the effectiveness of BB&G's patented technology and recognizes the dedication that has driven the company to this pivotal stage, allowing for the expansion of their technology across various regions.