Dunlop Applies Circular Carbon Black into PCR
Date：2026/1/14
Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. has announced that its Dunlop brand has for the first time incorporated chemically recycled circular carbon black into selected mass-produced passenger car tires. Mass production began in November 2025 at the company’s Miyazaki plant.
The circular carbon black is produced through a chemical recycling process using end-of-life tires and rubber scrap from tire manufacturing. Sumitomo Rubber has been collaborating with Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation on this initiative since January 2025, aiming to convert rubber waste into raw material rather than incinerating it for energy. This approach supports resource circulation and helps reduce CO₂ emissions.
Prior to commercial adoption, the material was validated in motorsports. Dunlop racing tires containing this circular carbon black demonstrated stable performance during the competitive 2025 SUPER GT season in the GT300 class.
This move is a key part of Sumitomo Rubber’s “TOWANOWA” circular economy strategy for the tire industry. The framework connects a “Sustainable Ring” covering five lifecycle processes with a “Data Ring” that utilizes information from each stage to generate additional value. Under this concept, the company is promoting the use of sustainable raw materials to lessen environmental impact.
Operationally, Sumitomo Rubber supplies rubber scrap and processed end-of-life tire materials to Mitsubishi Chemical, which then produces circular carbon black through coke oven chemical recycling. By shifting rubber waste from combustion to material reuse, the partnership enhances resource efficiency and supports more sustainable tire production.
Sumitomo Rubber stated it will continue advancing the TOWANOWA strategy, focusing on reducing environmental impact, improving tire performance and safety, and expanding solution-based services for sustainable mobility.
Information source: Comprehensively compiled from securities information and network information.
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