Bridgestone Backs 2025 World Solar Challenge with Sustainable ENLITEN Tires

Bridgestone Corporation will provide ENLITEN tires to 33 teams from 17 nations to support the 2025 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge (BWSC), scheduled for August 24–31. These tires, which are made of over 65% recycled and renewable materials, represent a big leap forward in environmentally friendly tire technology. From Darwin to Adelaide, the 3,000-kilometer solar-powered race BWSC challenges teams to create energy-efficient mobility ideas. Since 2013, Bridgestone's sponsorship as the title sponsor underlines its commitment to creating environmentally friendly solutions for electric vehicles and future mobility. 

Developed through collaborations, the 2025 BWSC tires include recycled materials including recycled steel and reclaimed carbon black. At its Tokyos Bridgestone Innovation Park test unit, Bridgestone worked with ENEOS to produce recovered carbon black utilizing exact pyrolysis of end-of-life tires. Since 2022, this chemical recycling initiative has sought to help a circular economy. Additionally recycling steel from tires gathered at its Osaka Tire Recycle Center, Bridgestone collaborated with Nippon Steel and Sanyo Special Steel. Marking its first application in BWSC tires, the steel is made into bead wire—a tire reinforcement material. 

Designed to satisfy the demanding needs of solar vehicles, the ENLITEN tires include puncture resistance, low rolling resistance, durability, and lightweight construction. These characteristics guarantee secure travel across the severe Australian Outback. Further improving the environmental performance of the tyres, Bridgestone also unveiled Twaron, a novel aramid fibre created in collaboration with Teijin Aramid that contains circular content. Extending to logistics, the company's sustainability initiatives collaborate with DHL to use sustainable maritime fuel for tire shipments, hence lowering CO2 emissions across the fuel life cycle by up to 85%. 

Treating the event as a mobile lab, the BWSC helps Bridgestone to improve its technologies. The business seeks to use acquired knowledge to future sustainable mobility and motorsports projects. There are three categories in the event: Challenger (for speed; 29 teams), Cruiser (stressing energy efficiency and practicality; 8 teams), and Explorer for cars not appropriate in other classifications. Highlighting its dedication to encouraging innovation among young engineers, Bridgestone backs 25 Challenger and 8 Cruiser teams. 

Emphasizing energy, ecology, and emotion, Bridgestones' programs match its E8 Commitment. Through sustainable tire innovations, the company hopes to promote carbon-neutral mobility and preserve the environment in order to inspire passion in the mobility industry. Bridgestone is moving toward carbon neutrality and a circular economy by lowering tire consumption and encouraging low-carbon logistics. The BWSC offers a venue for testing these developments while engaging with groups interested in sustainable innovation. 

Bridgestones' support for the 2025 World Solar Challenge emphasizes its leadership in sustainable tire technology. Using low-carbon logistics and ENLITEN tires with recycled materials shows realistic measures towards a circular economy. Bridgestones contributions emphasize the possibility for innovation to create a sustainable future for transportation as the BWSC pushes the bounds of solar-powered mobility. The event not only tests cutting-edge technology but also inspires the next generation of engineers to prioritize sustainability. 

Source: Bridgestone Corporation Press Release