The tyre gets a second life in France – CHALLENGES Magazine April 16, 2023

Founded in 1979 near Lyon, Black Star is the last company in France to retread tyres for light vehicles, a technique that major manufacturers no longer use except for trucks. Until now confined to atypical dimensions, Black Star is changing scale by unveiling at the low-carbon mobility fair Drive to Zero (from April 5 to 7) its Leonard tyres, compatible with 70% of sedans and SUVs in circulation.

“We wanted an unusual name for a tyre that is no less ordinary,” defends Laurent Cabassu, managing director of Black Star.

Après une mise à l’épreuve impitoyable, les carcasses retenues (85% de taux de rejet) reçoivent une bande de roulement et des flancs neufs. La prouesse est rendue possible par la reprise en 2021 du site Bridgestone, à Béthune (Pas-de-Calais), financée par subvention et l’entrée au capital de Mobivia (Norauto, Midas…). L’objectif d’ici quatre ans est de reconditionner 1 million de

The objective within four years is to refurbish 1 million tyres per year, in a French market of 40 million new tyres. Sold 20% more expensive than an Asian tyre but 30% less expensive than a premium whose carcass it uses, Leonard promises services equivalent to those of a mid-range.

"Choosing our locally reconditioned tytes means contributing to the circular economy as much as safeguarding jobs that cannot be relocated", boasts Laurent Cabassu.