Dunlop and Cabot Collaborate to Explore Circular Reinforcing Carbon in Tire Production
DUNLOP, the global tire brand under Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. (President and CEO, Representative Director: Satoru Yamamoto), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Cabot Corporation (NYSE: CBT) to explore the commercial adoption of circular reinforcing carbon in tire manufacturing. This collaboration aims to leverage Cabot’s patented regenerated carbon technology, introducing an innovative and sustainable material into Sumitomo Rubber’s production process.
The circular reinforcing carbon being evaluated is powered by Cabot’s EVOLVE Sustainable Solutions and incorporates reclaimed carbon obtained through the pyrolysis of end-of-life tires. By utilizing this reclaimed carbon as a raw material, the partnership aligns with both companies’ goals to promote sustainability and reduce environmental impact.
Introduction of Regenerated Carbon Technology
Cabot’s circular reinforcing carbon represents a new material that Sumitomo Rubber has not previously used in tire production. Known for its potential to reduce carbon emissions, the material could play a significant role in the development of sustainable tires. Sumitomo Rubber will evaluate the performance and feasibility of the material for use in mass-produced tires, while Cabot will focus on scaling the technology to meet anticipated demand in the tire industry.
This initiative marks a significant step forward for both companies in the transition toward sustainable manufacturing practices. By incorporating regenerated carbon, tires can achieve both high performance and a reduced environmental footprint, supporting the broader goal of decarbonizing the tire industry.
Statements from Sumitomo Rubber Industries
Takuya Horiguchi, General Manager of Material Research & Development Headquarters, Material Department IV, Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd., emphasized the importance of innovation in sustainability:
As a brand committed to continuous innovation, DUNLOP will accelerate its efforts toward the commercialization of circular reinforcing carbon through our collaboration with Cabot,” Horiguchi said. “By harnessing and integrating the full breadth of technologies and expertise of both companies, DUNLOP will expedite the path toward mass production and actively contribute to the realization of a decarbonized society.”
Horiguchi’s statement highlights DUNLOP’s commitment to exploring next-generation materials and implementing solutions that not only improve tire performance but also advance environmental sustainability.
Cabot Corporation’s Perspective
Cabot Corporation, a global leader in reinforcing carbon production, views this partnership as a natural extension of its sustainability initiatives. Aatif Misbah, Vice President and General Manager of Sustainable Solutions, Reinforcement Materials Segment, Cabot Corporation, commented:
“Enabling sustainability through innovation and collaboration is core to our work. We are committed to investing in technologies that advance the sustainability and performance of our products and their use.”
Misbah added, “We are proud to collaborate with Sumitomo to test our regenerated reinforcing carbon material in tire applications. This MoU aligns with our sustainability commitment and contributes to the transition to a lower-carbon future for the tire industry.”
Cabot’s approach emphasizes both innovation and environmental responsibility, focusing on scaling technologies that can deliver measurable sustainability benefits while maintaining high product performance standards.
Circular Economy and the “TOWANOWA” Concept
The collaboration is part of Sumitomo Rubber’s broader effort to implement circular economy principles in its tire business, encapsulated in the “TOWANOWA” concept. This framework consists of two interconnected rings:
- Sustainable Ring – Covers five key processes across the tire value chain, from material sourcing to production and end-of-life recovery.
- Data Ring – Integrates big data collected from each process to optimize operations and deliver insights for innovation.
By sharing and utilizing data between the Sustainable and Data Rings, Sumitomo Rubber aims to create new value for both the company and its customers while advancing sustainability. The adoption of circular reinforcing carbon is a key step within this framework, as it promotes the reuse of carbon resources and reduces the environmental footprint of tire manufacturing.
Sustainability and Decarbonization Goals
Both Sumitomo Rubber and Cabot view the use of regenerated reinforcing carbon as a significant enabler for reducing carbon emissions in tire production. By integrating reclaimed carbon from end-of-life tires into new products, the partnership addresses multiple sustainability objectives:
- Resource efficiency – Reducing reliance on virgin carbon materials.
- Waste reduction – Diverting end-of-life tires from landfills.
- Emission reduction – Lowering the carbon footprint of tire manufacturing.
- Circular economy advancement – Establishing a model for sustainable material use in industrial applications.
The material will undergo rigorous evaluation to ensure that it meets the performance and safety standards expected in mass-produced tires. This step ensures that sustainability does not compromise product quality.
Looking Ahead: Mass Production and Market Expansion
The MoU establishes a framework for testing and potential commercialization of the circular reinforcing carbon. Sumitomo Rubber will focus on evaluating the material for integration into mass production, while Cabot will continue developing and scaling regenerated carbon technology to meet the expected market demand.
This collaboration represents a long-term commitment to sustainability and innovation in the tire industry, laying the groundwork for:
- Expanded use of circular materials in commercial tires.
- Scaling of regenerated carbon technology to support global demand.
- Reduced carbon emissions and enhanced sustainability performance across the value chain.
By working together, the two companies aim to accelerate the adoption of environmentally responsible materials in tire production, while maintaining high performance and safety standards for end users.
Commitment to Innovation and Customer Value
Through this collaboration, Sumitomo Rubber and Cabot reaffirm their commitment to innovation, sustainability, and customer value. Sumitomo Rubber’s focus on the TOWANOWA framework ensures that the company will continue to:
- Reduce environmental impact across its operations.
- Enhance the performance and safety of its tires.
- Expand solution services for customers.
- Deliver new value through data-driven insights and sustainable material integration.
The partnership demonstrates that corporate innovation and environmental responsibility can go hand-in-hand, providing a model for the tire industry and other manufacturing sectors aiming to achieve a sustainable future.
ABOUT CABOT CORPORATION
Cabot Corporation (NYSE: CBT) is a global specialty chemicals and performance materials company headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. The company is a leading provider of reinforcing carbons, specialty carbons, battery materials, engineered elastomer composites, inkjet colorants, masterbatches and conductive compounds, fumed metal oxides and aerogel. For more information on Cabot, please visit the company’s website at cabotcorp.com.
Source Link : https://investor.cabot-corp.com/
