Formula One is set to receive its first green technology sponsor following the signing of a multi-year partnership between the Virgin Racing team and Carbon Green.
The U.S.-based company, as reported by tyrepress.com on December 10, primarily focuses upon pyrolysis based tire recycling that permits the 100% recycling of tires and waste rubber into commercially viable marketable commodities of steel, oil and a carbon black substitute suitable for use in tire and rubber manufacturing.
During the press conference announcing the partnership, Virgin cited Formula One’s rapidly evolving environmental strategy as a key element of its decision to continue involvement with the sport. The Carbon Green brand mark will feature on the nose and bargeboards of Virgin Racing’s cars next year in the team’s debut season of competition.
"Carbon Green is a fantastic addition to our new partnership portfolio and we are looking forward to a close relationship in the years ahead,” commented Virgin Racing team principal, Alex Tai. “Virgin’s objective is to be at the forefront of developing environmentally friendly business strategies and the group values its association with like-minded partners. The FIA has an impressive environmental policy and through Virgin Racing we hope to develop a strong dialogue, share perspectives and offer a meaningful contribution to the sport, the governing body and our stakeholders beyond pure competition."
Carbon Green CEO John Novak added: "Virgin is taking a leadership role on corporate responsibility through its many innovative and inspiring initiatives including `Virgin Earth Challenge,’ a worldwide competition to develop a technology that removes greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.
“By partnering with Virgin Racing, Carbon Green is aligning itself with a company that shares similar values,” Novak continued. “Carbon Green’s cutting edge tire recycling technology takes discarded tires, which are an environmental hazard, and breaks them down into 100% reusable commodities while preventing substantial greenhouse gas emissions. We believe this unique technology will have a profound positive impact on the earth and provides a safe solution for dealing with the over 1 billion waste tires discarded annually and 10 billion waste tires stock piled world wide. We are extremely proud to have our name and logo featured on the Virgin F-1 race car as it confirms Virgin’s commitment to the environment by creating the first ever F-1 green technology partnership." (Tyres & Accessories)
