Hyogo, Japan – January 12, 2024 – Toyo Tire Corporation (Headquarters: Itami City, Hyogo Prefecture; President & CEO: TakashiShimizu; hereinafter, “Toyo Tire”) announced today that it has introduced a concept tire that uses sustainable materials*1 for 90% of its raw materials as a reference exhibit at the TOKYO AUTO SALON 2024*2. The highest-ever ratio of sustainable raw materials used in Toyo Tire’s tires was 50%*3, and the ratio for this new concept tire far surpasses this previous record.
*1 Of raw materials that are necessary to produce tires, materials that are recognized as contributing to the reduction of environmental impact
*2 Held from Friday, January 12 to Sunday, January 14, 2024 at Makuhari Messe. For details, please visit the official website of the event https://www.tokyoautosalon.jp/2024/
*3 The ratio of sustainable materials used in OPEN COUNTRY M/T-R, which was supplied to and installed on vehicles competing in the 2024 Dakar Rally

Sustainable materials can be roughly classified into renewable raw materials, which are made from natural resources that can be replenished, and recycled raw materials, which are reproduced from materials that were formerly use in one way or another.

Among renewable raw materials used in this concept tire are butadiene rubber (BR) and styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) derived from biomass, rice husk ash silica, plant-based oil, and bio-based polyester fiber, which account for approx. 60% of the total material, while recycled raw materials include recycled carbon black, recycled bead wire, recycled steel code, and butadiene rubber from carbon dioxide*4 which we have succeeded in synthesizing in collaboration with the University of Toyama. Recycled raw materials account for approx. 30% of the total composition.
*4 May. 09, 2023 Successful Synthesis of Butadiene Rubber from Carbon Dioxide https://www.toyotires-global.com/press/2023/230509_e.html

Toyo Tire has announced its target of increasing the ratio of sustainable materials used in its products to 40% by 2030 and 100% by 2050. Development of this concept tire represents a strategic move toward these targets.

Another feature of this concept tire is the achievement of a rolling resistance performance rating of “AAA,” the highest level under the JATMA tire labeling system*5, by minimizing the rolling resistance coefficient. This will significantly contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions over the entire life cycle of tires and to extending the cruising distance of electric vehicles (EVs). Going forward, Toyo Tire intends to further innovate the technology for practical use in an effort to achieve early development and market launch of products that help realize a sustainable mobility society.
*5 An industry voluntary standard developed by the Japan Automobile Tyre Manufacturers Association, Inc. (JATMA). Defining tires that fulfill certain values for both rolling resistance performance and wet grip performance as “fuel efficient tires,” this labeling system provides appropriate information on the tires to the consumer.