DOE Grant Backs Bridgestone's Innovation in Non-fossil Synthetic Rubber Development

On October 22, 2024, Bridgestone Americas (Bridgestone) announced that it had secured a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization Office. The funding will support Bridgestone in designing, constructing, and operating a pilot plant to explore a more sustainable and cost-effective method of producing butadiene from ethanol. This innovative project will evaluate the economic feasibility and carbon footprint of converting ethanol into butadiene, a critical component in synthetic rubber production.

Butadiene, which is traditionally derived from fossil fuels, is the primary ingredient in synthetic rubber used in tire manufacturing. Bridgestone aims to explore whether butadiene produced from ethanol could serve as a viable alternative feedstock for raw materials in its tires. If successful, this could significantly reduce the reliance on fossil fuels and lower greenhouse gas emissions in the tire industry.

Dr. Mark Smale, Executive Director of Core Polymer Science at Bridgestone, emphasized the project's importance, stating, "This initiative will advance the science and technologies needed to make the tire industry more sustainable. We are excited about this innovative process and grateful for the DOE's support in driving this potential revolution in butadiene production."

The DOE awarded the grant based on the project's potential to contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and advancing the U.S. toward a net-zero economy. Bridgestone has partnered with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) to develop the project. The process will leverage an innovative, proprietary catalyst system originally developed by PNNL and co-developed with Bridgestone. This unique catalyst, combined with Bridgestone’s process engineering, holds the promise of creating a commercially viable thermochemical method for converting ethanol to butadiene.

The project will span at least three years, starting with the design of the pilot plant in the first year, followed by its construction in Akron, Ohio, during the second year. The third year will focus on staffing and operating the facility. If successful, the plant could help demonstrate that ethanol, especially low-carbon ethanol derived from bio-based or recycled materials, can be used to produce butadiene more sustainably than traditional fossil fuel-based methods.

This effort aligns with Bridgestone's broader sustainability goals, particularly its E8 Commitment, which focuses on promoting "Ecology," "Energy," and "Efficiency." The project is a key step toward Bridgestone's ambitious goal of using 100% sustainable raw materials in its tires globally by 2050. As Dr. Smale reiterated, this initiative positions Bridgestone's engineers and scientists at the forefront of developing more nature-positive solutions for the tire industry.