BRUSSELS — Bridgestone Corp. has started series production of tires it claims incorporate 55% sustainable materials, with the launch of its ultra-high-performance Potenza Sport A, which has been selected by Audi A.G. as OE for its e-tron GT.
Developed in Europe and produced at Bridgestone's plant near Rome, it features 35% "certified renewable" materials, including natural rubber and bio-attributed polymers, according to guidelines established under the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC)
With EU label A grades for wet grip and rolling resistance, the Potenza Sport A also includes 20% ISCC+ certified recycled materials, Bridgestone said.
Among the ingredients used are ground rubber from end-of-life tires (ELTs), circular oil-derived carbon black, rice husk ash silica, lignin and ELT-based recovered carbon black.
The production process at the ISO 50001-certified Roma plant is 100% electric, with the electricity being produced from renewable sources, the tire maker noted.
Emphasizing that the Potenza Sport A is not a concept or pilot project, Bridgestone said the tire had been chosen by Audi as OE for its e-tron GT.
The globally OE-homologated tire, it added, "went through Audi's rigorous testing and was recognized for providing high performance… outstanding safety and sustainability."
The Potenza Sport A was developed with Bridgestone's Enliten technology, which is said to improve sustainability by reducing materials-consumption and lowering product weight.
The tire represents a "significant milestone" for Bridgestone in its journey to 100% sustainable tires by 2050, according to Steven De Bock, vice president OE at Bridgestone EMEA.
Mass-production of a tire "incorporating such a high percentage of ISCC Plus certified recycled and renewable materials… furthers the adoption of a circular economy in our business," said De Bock.
