Dunlop has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Cabot Corporation, aiming to explore the commercial adoption of circular reinforcing carbons made with Cabot’s patented regenerated technology
About the MoU
The circular reinforcing carbon, powered by Cabot’s EVOLVE Sustainable Solutions, incorporates reclaimed carbon derived from the pyrolysis of end-of-life tyres and is being considered as a sustainable raw material for Sumitomo Rubber’s tyre production.
The circular reinforcing carbon from Cabot, leveraging regenerated carbon technology, is a new material that Sumitomo Rubber has not previously used in tyre production. The material, which is recognised as a key component to reduce carbon emissions for both companies, will undergo evaluation for use in mass-produced tyres by Sumitomo Rubber, while Cabot will focus on scaling regenerated carbon technology to meet anticipated market demand.
“As a brand committed to continuous innovation, Dunlop will accelerate its efforts toward the commercialisation of circular reinforcing carbon through our collaboration with Cabot,” said Takuya Horiguchi, general manager, Material Research & Development Headquarters, Material Department IV, Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. “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 realisation of a decarbonised society.”
“As a leading producer of reinforcing carbons, 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,” said Aatif Misbah, vice president and general manager, Sustainable Solutions, Reinforcement Materials segment, Cabot Corporation. “We are proud to collaborate with Sumitomo to test our regenerated reinforcing carbon material in tyre applications. This MoU aligns with our sustainability commitment and contributes to the transition to a lower-carbon future for the tyre industry.”
The adoption of sustainable raw materials is part of Sumitomo Rubber’s effort to realise the circular economy concept for its tyre business, known as the “TOWANOWA” concept, which consists of two interconnected rings: the “Sustainable Ring,” which covers five processes across the value chain and the “Data Ring,” which integrates data collected from each process.
