Bridgestone has announced plans to construct a pilot demonstration plant for precise pyrolysis of end-of-life tires at its facility in Seki City, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. This initiative aims to advance tire recycling by converting used tires into valuable resources, such as tire-derived oil and recovered carbon black, thereby promoting a circular economy. 

Bridgestone is set to build a pilot demonstration plant for precise pyrolysis of end-of-life tyres at its facility in Seki City, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. The plant, slated to commence operations in 2027, aims to advance horizontal tyre recycling by extracting tyre-derived oil and recovered carbon black from discarded tyres. By demonstrating this technology, Bridgestone seeks to accelerate the adoption of chemical recycling solutions. The project is a key component of the company’s “Sowing New Seeds” initiative under its Mid-Term Business Plan (2024–2026), designed to drive sustainable growth.

The pilot demonstration plant will be located at the Bridgestone Seki Plant in Seki Industrial Park, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. Construction is scheduled to begin in November 2025, with operations expected to commence in September 2027. Once operational, the facility will have the capacity to process approximately 7,500 tonnes of end-of-life tyres per year.

Since 2022, Bridgestone has been developing chemical recycling solutions to support a circular economy. In 2023, the company installed a test unit at its Bridgestone Innovation Park (BIP) in Kodaira City, Tokyo, to refine the process of obtaining tyre-derived oil and recovered carbon black via precise pyrolysis. The oil is further processed to produce chemical compounds such as butadiene, a critical raw material for synthetic rubber, enabling the possibility of reintroducing both oil and carbon black into tyre manufacturing.

The new pilot plant will integrate the technological foundations established at BIP, scaling up operations for the mass production of tyre-derived oil and recovered carbon black through stable and continuous processes. Bridgestone also aims to deepen its expertise in chemical recycling by advancing plant operational knowledge and talent development in the field.

The initiative has been selected by Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) as part of the “Development of Chemical Manufacturing Technology from Used Tyres” under its “Green Innovation Fund Project.” It is also a collaborative effort with ENEOS Corporation. The recovered carbon black produced at the plant will contribute to the development of eco Carbon Black (eCB), which offers rubber reinforcement properties comparable to virgin carbon black derived from petroleum and coal. This research forms part of a separate NEDO-backed project on carbon recycling from polymer products, conducted in partnership with Tokai Carbon Co., Ltd.

Bridgestone continues to advance its EVERTIRE INITIATIVE, a commercialisation effort focused on recycling tyres into rubber and other raw materials through strategic partnerships. The company’s commitment to environmental sustainability aligns with its broader “Bridgestone E8 Commitment,” which prioritises ecological preservation and the transition to carbon-neutral mobility.

Under its long-term vision, Bridgestone is integrating sustainability across its value chain, from production and sales to usage and renewal of tyres. The company is positioning itself as a key player in achieving carbon neutrality, fostering a circular economy, and promoting environmental stewardship.

To view the Bridgestone article regard Evertire Initiative, please follow this link » GO.

Klean Industries: Advancing Tire Pyrolysis & Carbon Black Recovery for a Sustainable Circular Economy

As global tire manufacturers and rubber compound producers seek sustainable solutions for end-of-life tires, Klean Industries delivers industry-leading tire pyrolysis and carbon upgrading technology designed to maximize resource recovery while reducing environmental impact. With decades of expertise in thermal conversion technologies, Klean Industries provides proven, scalable, and high-efficiency tire pyrolysis plants that transform end-of-life tires into valuable raw materials, including tire-derived oil (TDO), recovered carbon black (rCB), and syngas.

By integrating advanced carbon upgrading systems, Klean Industries enhances the quality of recovered carbon black, making it a viable and cost-effective replacement for virgin carbon black in rubber compounds, tire manufacturing, and industrial applications. Our proprietary pyrolysis technology ensures consistent quality, high recovery yields, and compliance with global environmental regulations, positioning Klean Industries as a key enabler of circular economy solutions for the tire and rubber industry.

Why Leading Tire Manufacturers & Rubber Compounders Choose Klean Industries

• Best-in-Class Pyrolysis Technology – Engineered for maximum yield efficiency, converting end-of-life tires into premium recovered materials.
• High-Purity Recovered Carbon Black (rCB) – Advanced upgrading solutions produce clean, consistent rCB for use in tire manufacturing and industrial rubber applications.
• Circular Economy Integration – Fully closed-loop recycling that enables tire-to-tire and tire-to-rubber product applications.
• Scalable & Modular Pyrolysis Plants – Tailored solutions for global tire manufacturers, rubber compounders, and carbon black producers looking to integrate sustainable feedstocks into their supply chains.
• Proven Industrial Partnerships – Collaborations with leading rubber manufacturers and sustainability-driven corporations supporting global ESG goals.

Transform Your Waste Tires into High-Value Resources

As the demand for low-carbon, circular economy materials grows, Klean Industries offers turnkey solutions for tire manufacturers and rubber compounders to incorporate sustainable, high-performance recovered carbon black and tire-derived oil into production.

Learn how our tire pyrolysis and carbon upgrading technologies can help your company meet sustainability targets, lower costs, and transition towards a fully circular tire production model.

Contact Klean Industries today » GO.