Tire Pyrolysis Japan

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.

Learn More:

• Tire Pyrolysis Australia — KIO
• Tire Pyrolysis Taiwan — EI
• Tire Pyrolysis Poland
• Tire Pyrolysis Germany — TPL
• Tire Pyrolysis Japan — L4T
• Tire Pyrolysis Italy — IET
• Tire Pyrolysis USA — KIB
• Retreading & Circular Tyre

Commercialize Precise Tyre Pyrolysis

Bridgestone will process 7,500 t/y of end-of-life tyres at its Seki pilot plant from 2027, pointing the way to industrial tyre-to-oil-and-rCB scale.

Klean supplies continuous tyre pyrolysis plants that produce tyre-derived oil and recovered carbon black with consistent, offtake-ready quality.

Why Choose Klean Industries’ Tire Pyrolysis?

24/7 continuous operation proven at commercial scale
Tyre-derived oil and rCB produced to saleable specification
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TyreNova technology licensed through KBR worldwide

Want to lock in industrial tyre pyrolysis ahead of the market?

Contact Klean Industries about tire pyrolysis » GO.