SHERIDAN, WYOMING – June 16, 2025 – In a groundbreaking move toward sustainable mobility, Bridgestone is set to debut its newest generation of Enliten tires—featuring more than 65% recycled and renewable materials—at the 2025 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge (BWSC) in Australia.
This year's event, taking place from August 24 to 31, will push 33 solar car teams from 17 global locations to cross nearly 3,000 kilometers of the Australian outback using only solar energy. Bridgestone is once again stepping in as an innovation leader, providing advanced tires that balance performance and environmental responsibility.
Driving Innovation with Recycled Materials
The 2025 Enliten tires represent a major leap in eco-conscious technology. For the first time, Bridgestone has integrated recovered carbon black and recycled steel into tire manufacturing—materials produced in collaboration with industry partners and developed specifically for the demands of solar racing.
The company stated, “Bridgestone will use the BWSC as a mobile laboratory to further develop its technologies in support of future sustainable motorsports. Working with participating teams and exploring performance limits supports the company’s commitment to ‘accelerating innovation for the future of mobility.’”
Recovered Carbon Black: A Circular Breakthrough
Bridgestone's innovative use of recovered carbon black—produced via precision pyrolysis of end-of-life tires—is made possible through a partnership with Eneos. This marks the first-ever application of this recycled material in a BWSC tire, highlighting a meaningful step in reducing environmental impact across the product lifecycle.
Steel from Retired Tires: A First in BWSC History
Another major advancement is the use of recycled steel bead wire in tire construction. Developed in partnership with Nippon Steel Corporation and Sanyo Special Steel, this wire is created from steel sourced at Bridgestone’s Tire Recycle Center in Osaka, processed in electric furnaces, and then reformed into new components. It’s the first time this recycled steel has been used in BWSC tires.
Enhanced Enliten Technology Meets Solar Car Demands
Beyond its recycled components, the new Enliten tires incorporate Twaron, a circular-content aramid material from Teijin Aramid. The result is a tire built to withstand the rigors of solar car racing, offering:
- Low rolling resistance for improved energy efficiency
- High durability for long-distance reliability
- Lightweight construction
- Strong puncture resistance
These features ensure safe, high-performance driving over the challenging 3,000km BWSC route.
Sustainable Delivery with DHL
Bridgestone is also rethinking logistics. To ship the tires to Australia, the company is partnering with DHL and using its GoGreen Plus solution. This method leverages sustainable maritime fuel to slash CO₂ emissions by up to 85% over the entire lifecycle—from fuel production to onboard use.
A Greener Future on the Horizon
With the launch of its most eco-advanced tire yet, Bridgestone is proving that cutting-edge performance and environmental stewardship can go hand-in-hand. The 2025 BWSC will not only be a test of solar innovation—but a bold step toward a more sustainable future in mobility.
Learn more at https://www.bridgestone.com