Mauro Patelli
Organization: Bridgestone Europe NV/SA-Italian Branch Technical Center
Role in my organization: Project Manager in R&D PMO for BSEMIA

Mauro Patelli is an Indoor Testing expert Manager and holds the same position at Bridgestone, a company born in Japan and leader in the production of high performance tires. In this interview, Mauro Patelli tells us about his experience in Bridgestone, his responsibilities and above all the testing activities that the he and his department are carrying out in favor of the Life Green Vulcan Project as the development of innovative technologies allowing the effective reprocessing of rubber. Furthermore, he talks about how many opportunities the Project heralds for the end-of-life tire sector, and above all how Life Green Vulcan is among the most promising Projects in this sector.

Short Bio & role in the Life Green Vulcan project:

I am an Indoor Testing expert Manager and holds the same position at Bridgestone. In the Life Green Vulcan project I work as the development of innovative technologies allowing the effective reprocessing of rubber.

What are your activities within the project?

I Coordinate/Monitor/Report Technical, Administrative and Dissemination activities of all Bridgestone functions involved within the project.

What are the main tasks performed and the main results?

Implemented Lab Evaluation of Rubber Conversion of Devulcanized End of LiFe Tire Rubber Proto samples; selected (jointly with RB Staff) best Devulcanized Rubber proto candidates for further Material Tuning (Through tuned Devulcanized process) and following both Material Lab and Tire Field Test Evaluation.

Has Life Green Vulcan project changed your career or work in some way?

Life Green Vulcan Project has enhanced my awareness in innovative technologies that will enable the reprocessing of rubber from tyres so that this recycled material can be widely used as a material for new tyres. In the future, these technologies will make it possible to utilise end-of-life tyres as raw materials for new tyres.

What are your expectations of the project?

Bridgestone is committed to create a circular economy in the tyre industry through the development of our recycling business – accelerating the collection of used tyres and the introduction of various recycling technologies. We’re investing to enhance and create shared value in end-of-life tyre (ELT) management, using end-of-life tyres as a resource in the tyre industry and beyond, including use as construction materials, landscaping mulch, floor mats and crafts. The Bridgestone Group is conducting multifaceted research into innovative technologies that will enable the reprocessing of rubber from tyres so that this recycled material can be widely used as a material for new tyres. In the future, these technologies will make it possible to utilise end-of-life tyres as raw materials for new tyres. My Expectation is that Life Green Vulcan project could contribute to reach BS circular economy objective thought the development of an Innovative and effective Devulcanization Technology capable to produce a recycled rubber equal to better to virgin rubber.