Quick Takeaways
- Sumitomo Rubber has begun using recycled carbon black in mass-produced passenger car tires, marking a first for its commercial operations.
- The initiative strengthens circular manufacturing by reusing tire waste while maintaining performance and safety standards.
On December 17, Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. announced a major sustainability milestone with the adoption of recycled carbon black in mass-produced passenger car tires. This development marks the first time the company has integrated recycled carbon black into commercial tire production, reinforcing its commitment to circular manufacturing and lower environmental impact.
The use of Sumitomo Rubber recycled carbon black was initiated at the company’s Miyazaki Factory in Miyakonojo City, Miyazaki Prefecture, where production began in November. The material is derived from rubber scraps generated during tire manufacturing and from crushed used tires, enabling valuable resources to be reused instead of discarded.
Sumitomo Rubber Recycled Carbon Black Production Process
The recycled carbon black used in these passenger car tires is obtained through a chemical recycling process. Rubber scraps and end-of-life tires are processed and converted back into raw materials suitable for tire manufacturing, ensuring performance standards are maintained while reducing reliance on virgin materials.
Key elements of the process include:
This approach supports resource efficiency and aligns with broader sustainability goals across the automotive supply chain.
From Motorsports to Mass-Produced Passenger Car Tires
Before its application in passenger vehicles, Sumitomo Rubber recycled carbon black was first adopted in racing tires in August. The transition from motorsports to mass-produced passenger car tires highlights the company’s confidence in the material’s quality, durability, and performance consistency under real-world driving conditions.
By scaling this technology to high-volume passenger car tires, the company is accelerating its efforts to reduce environmental impact while maintaining product reliability.
Advancing Sustainable Tire Manufacturing
The adoption of recycled carbon black in passenger car tires represents a strategic step toward sustainable tire manufacturing. By integrating recycled materials into mass production, Sumitomo Rubber is addressing waste reduction, resource reuse, and long-term environmental responsibility without compromising safety or performance.
As regulations and consumer expectations increasingly emphasize sustainability, initiatives like this are expected to play a critical role in shaping the future of tire manufacturing and the broader automotive industry.
The use of Sumitomo Rubber recycled carbon black was initiated at the company’s Miyazaki Factory in Miyakonojo City, Miyazaki Prefecture, where production began in November. The material is derived from rubber scraps generated during tire manufacturing and from crushed used tires, enabling valuable resources to be reused instead of discarded.
Sumitomo Rubber Recycled Carbon Black Production Process
The recycled carbon black used in these passenger car tires is obtained through a chemical recycling process. Rubber scraps and end-of-life tires are processed and converted back into raw materials suitable for tire manufacturing, ensuring performance standards are maintained while reducing reliance on virgin materials.
Key elements of the process include:
- Collection of rubber scraps from in-house tire production
- Processing of crushed used tires
- Chemical recycling to recover carbon black for reuse
This approach supports resource efficiency and aligns with broader sustainability goals across the automotive supply chain.
From Motorsports to Mass-Produced Passenger Car Tires
Before its application in passenger vehicles, Sumitomo Rubber recycled carbon black was first adopted in racing tires in August. The transition from motorsports to mass-produced passenger car tires highlights the company’s confidence in the material’s quality, durability, and performance consistency under real-world driving conditions.
By scaling this technology to high-volume passenger car tires, the company is accelerating its efforts to reduce environmental impact while maintaining product reliability.
Advancing Sustainable Tire Manufacturing
The adoption of recycled carbon black in passenger car tires represents a strategic step toward sustainable tire manufacturing. By integrating recycled materials into mass production, Sumitomo Rubber is addressing waste reduction, resource reuse, and long-term environmental responsibility without compromising safety or performance.
As regulations and consumer expectations increasingly emphasize sustainability, initiatives like this are expected to play a critical role in shaping the future of tire manufacturing and the broader automotive industry.
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