Bridgestone plants make solar switch

JAPANESE tyre manufacturer Bridgestone is now producing commercial and mining tyres from renewable energy courtesy of giant solar arrays at its facilities in Shimonoseki and Kitakyushu.

Generating 820MWh and 5,250MWh respectively, the plants are the first solar-powered examples of their kind in Japan, contributing to what Bridgestone says is the realisation of its Sustainability Business Frameworks which “ensure the link between sustainable activities and business for contributing to carbon neutrality and a circular economy across the entire value chain”.

Together, Bridgestone estimates the plants will contribute to a reduction in annual CO2 emissions of approximately 2,500 tonnes when compared to emissions from electricity supplied via the grid.

Bridgestone said previously that it is targeting CO2 reductions of 50 per cent by 2030 (compared with 2011 levels) as part of its Milestone 2030 plan. Specifically, the company aims to source more than 50 per cent of its electricity from renewable means by the end of this year (2023) and to be 100 per cent renewable by the end of the decade.

The latest solar switch at Shimonoseki and Kitakyushu means Bridgestone now operates all its European plants, four Japanese plants (Hikone, Kitakyushu, Shimonoseki and Tosu), two Chinese plants (Tiajin and Wuxi) and other facilities in Thailand and the United States on full or part solar power. When solar power is not available, electricity is purchased from renewable supplies.

The Shimonoseki plant, located in Japan’s Yamaguchi Prefecture, made the switch to solar in October last year while the Kitakyushu facility, in neighbouring Fukuoka Prefecture, moved to solar power this week.

“These initiatives are anticipated to make large contributions to carbon neutrality while also cementing the position of these plants as important global production bases for Bridgestone Mastercore tyres for mining vehicles and other Dan-Totsu products,” the company said in a statement.

“Looking ahead, Bridgestone intends to transition to renewable energy for electricity purchased at all of its bases, while also accelerating CO2 emissions reductions through the expansion of solar power generation and the improvement of energy efficiency.”

Bridgestone said it will also strive to increase the ratio of recycled and renewable materials used in tyre construction to 40 per cent by 2030. Efforts focusing on tyre life, renewable resources, re-treading, recycling, repairing, and sharing tyres are set to improve incrementally over the remainder of the decade.

The firm said it is also continuing to focus on the development of low rolling resistance tyres and other “environmental performance improvements without sacrificing comfort and safety functionalities”.

Thinner, and therefore lighter tyres are said to be at the forefront of reducing the consumption of the firm’s raw materials. It says that since 2018, Bridgestone tyres have used 15 per cent less rubber material while also offering a fivefold increase in tear strength.