The Secret Behind the Black Colour of Vehicle Tyres

Bangkok – Until now, many people still do not realise why tyres on motorcycles and cars are black. After all, when looking at the base material, natural rubber is actually milky white. Addressing this, Shinsuke Nakamura, Tire Development Director at Bridgestone Asia Pacific (Thailand) Co., Ltd., explained that the black colour of tyres arises from the mixing of other materials in the production process. ‘The black colour of the material comes from carbon black,’ he said when met in Bangkok on Wednesday (4 March 2026). Carbon black is a fine carbon particle with various variants that are mixed into the rubber during production. ‘Other colours can also be produced, for example pigment-type varieties such as pink carbon black that has been used in Australia,’ he said. However, the black colour of tyres is not merely about aesthetics. The main factor is durability. Carbon black is a chemical derived from the processing of crude oil that is mixed into the rubber. In addition to changing colour, this compound also functions to improve performance and tyre durability. According to Bridgestone’s official site, the main factor that makes tyres black is durability. In the early 20th century, it was found that adding carbon black significantly increases wear resistance of tyres. In addition, this material also has positive effects on various characteristics, such as heat resistance, abrasion, toughness, and overall durability so that tyres last longer. But since the early 1970s, almost all tyres have been produced in black colour entirely due to the carbon black mixture in the tread and sidewalls. Carbon black itself is produced from incomplete combustion of heavy petroleum products. Apart from use in tyre manufacturing, this material is also used as a black pigment for ink, toner, and cosmetics.