Firestone Uses Recycled Plastic in Indianapolis 500 Tires
As the exclusive tire supplier of the NTT IndyCar Series, Bridgestone and Firestone have incorporated recycled butadiene, a substance produced from used plastic shopping bags, film, stretch wrap and other flexible polymer packaging in all Firestone Firehawk race tires used at the Indianapolis 500, the tire manufacturer announced.
The new monomer replaces the petroleum-based monomer and will be supplied by Shell, the race series’ official fuel, oil and lubricant supplier, the companies said.
Bridgestone will manufacture all race tires for the 2023 season at the ISCC PLUS-certified Advanced Tire Production Center (ATPC) in Akron. Additionally, Bridgestone has partnered with Penske and Indianapolis Motor Speedway to transport all race tires to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) with electric 2023 Freightliner eCascadia from Penske Truck Leasing’s fleet of electric vehicles.
“We are driving to increase sustainability in every area of our business, and we’re thrilled to showcase our commitment to sustainability in ‘The Greatest Spectacle in Racing’,” said Paolo Ferrari, president & CEO, Bridgestone Americas and joint global chief operating officer, Bridgestone Corporation. “We are further committed to a thriving and more sustainable future in motorsports.”
