Using rCB in new tires cuts CO2 emissions from carbon black production by 85 percent compared to virgin materials, they stated, adding that less than 1 percent of all carbon black used in new tire production globally is recovered.
Increasing rCB utilization by substituting 10 percent of virgin carbon black would reduce CO2 emissions globally by up 2 million metric tons annually, according to the tire makers.
Next items on the agenda for Michelin and Bridgestone include the publication of a white paper in the first half of 2022, which will present the "preferred characteristics" for rCB use in tires while also addressing issues around current limitations on its wider adoption.
In addition to the white paper, Bridgestone and Michelin said they would begin to "facilitate a dialogue" with stakeholders across the value-chain interested in joining this initiative.
This will focus "on creating a needed dialogue about utilization of recovered carbon black material across the tire and rubber value chain."
Bridgestone and Michelin also stressed that they remain "competitors who each have their own unique perspective concerning investment."
Bridgestone has made a minority investment in Delta Energy Group, which supplies rCB to the Americas business of the Japanese group.
Michelin has partnered with Swedish recycler Enviro to develop and industrialize Enviro's ELT pyrolysis technology.
The French group said it also participates in consortiums dedicated to the circular economy, such as the European consortium behind the BlackCycle project.
