Eni’s subsidiary chemical company Versalis, and Bridgestone EMIA signed a joint development agreement for the research, production, and supply of synthetic rubber with advanced properties, Eni stated in a statement on its website.

Adriano Alfani, CEO of Versalis stated: “This agreement combines our technological knowledge with that of Bridgestone, a world leader in this sector, to accelerate the development of grades and applications in tires improving their performance, starting from raw material. Beginning to explore supply chain synergies with an excellent partner will bring a new innovative lift in the sector and strengthen high-value technical and commercial collaboration.”

The Research and Development divisions of the two organizations will work together to develop technologies and new elastomer grades, including Styrene Butadiene Rubber (SBR), for the production of high-performance tyres. Versalis will use its research center at Ravenna and Ferrara, while Bridgestone will use its Technical Center Europe near Rome.

For his part, Emilio Tiberio, Chief Operating Officer (COO), and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Bridgestone EMIA said: “At Bridgestone, we know that ground-breaking innovation and sustainable mobility can’t be achieved without collaboration. We are pleased to strengthen our existing partnership with Versalis and believe that the technology we co-create will be a differentiator for our future products.”

Versalis’ elastomers are used in the premium, consumer market segment and are designed for high performance in tyres including dry handling and wet grip. They also reduce abrasion, increasing tyres’ lifespan, resulting in a more sustainable tyre that reduces consumption of raw materials in the long-term.