Bridgestone's Environmental Initiatives and New Product Announcement
Tokyo (October 23, 2007) – The management goal of the Bridgestone Group is to establish the status of being the undisputed world No. 1 tire and rubber company both in name and reality. Now amid calls for environmental protection on a global scale, Bridgestone also aims to be the world’s No. 1 company in the domain of “the environment”.
The Bridgestone Group is engaged not only in the tire business but also in the diversified products business. In all business processes, Bridgestone faces various environmental issues at the global, local, and workplace levels. In response to these issues, Bridgestone has formulated five key spheres requiring environmental action. Within this framework, Bridgestone has developed diversity in environmental management activities across all business domains via a concrete action plan. The plan also includes new initiatives for environmental preservation.
Bridgestone also pays close attention to the impact of its core tire business on the environment, with particular focus on carbon dioxide emission reduction targets which is being debated globally. In calculating the carbon dioxide emissions at each stage of the tire lifecycle, from raw materials to disposal, it was discovered that 87%* of total emissions occur during the usage stage. By developing tires that have less rolling resistance reduces carbon dioxide emissions through better fuel efficiency, Bridgestone contributes significantly to environmental preservation on a global scale.
To this end, Bridgestone will release the ECOPIA EP-100 tire for passenger cars in spring 2008 in addition to the highly acclaimed ECOPIA series of fuel-efficient tires for trucks, buses and light trucks. Normally, a reduction in rolling resistance compromises safety performance in wet conditions and overall driving comfort. However, Bridgestone has succeeded in overcoming these dilemmas with the introduction of its raw materials development technology, NanoPro-Tech. In the days ahead, Bridgestone intends to expand the ECOPIA series into a flagship environmental product, while incorporating this technology into existing product lines to increase the range of eco-products, Bridgestone also plans to deploy the eco-products worldwide.
The Bridgestone Group will pursue even greater diversity in environmental management activities across all business domains aiming to be a global company that is proud of its contribution to the environment.
The Bridgestone Group is engaged not only in the tire business but also in the diversified products business. In all business processes, Bridgestone faces various environmental issues at the global, local, and workplace levels. In response to these issues, Bridgestone has formulated five key spheres requiring environmental action. Within this framework, Bridgestone has developed diversity in environmental management activities across all business domains via a concrete action plan. The plan also includes new initiatives for environmental preservation.
1. Bridgestone develops systems and infrastructures for environmental management, including an integrated company-wide ISO14001 management system and an environmental database.
2. In business operating environment such as materials and procurement, production process, and shipping and sales, Bridgestone has reduced carbon dioxide emissions to less than levels of year 1990 five years ahead of target year 2010 through the introduction of a co-generation system at all tire plants in Japan. Additionally, Bridgestone was honoured with “Gold Governance” in a rating of waste governance based on guidelines issued by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. This was the first time a rubber and tire manufacturer has received this top ranking honor.
3. Bridgestone develops and markets numerous eco-products in both tires and diversified products.
4. Bridgestone promotes various social activities dubbed “eco-projects”. These include the Bridgestone Children’s Eco Art Competition, and the Water Environment Project, advanced in conjunction with WWF Japan (World Wide Fund for Nature Japan) and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
5. In terms of environmental communication, Bridgestone transmits information both inside and outside the company while working to educate its employees on environmental management activities.
Bridgestone also pays close attention to the impact of its core tire business on the environment, with particular focus on carbon dioxide emission reduction targets which is being debated globally. In calculating the carbon dioxide emissions at each stage of the tire lifecycle, from raw materials to disposal, it was discovered that 87%* of total emissions occur during the usage stage. By developing tires that have less rolling resistance reduces carbon dioxide emissions through better fuel efficiency, Bridgestone contributes significantly to environmental preservation on a global scale.
To this end, Bridgestone will release the ECOPIA EP-100 tire for passenger cars in spring 2008 in addition to the highly acclaimed ECOPIA series of fuel-efficient tires for trucks, buses and light trucks. Normally, a reduction in rolling resistance compromises safety performance in wet conditions and overall driving comfort. However, Bridgestone has succeeded in overcoming these dilemmas with the introduction of its raw materials development technology, NanoPro-Tech. In the days ahead, Bridgestone intends to expand the ECOPIA series into a flagship environmental product, while incorporating this technology into existing product lines to increase the range of eco-products, Bridgestone also plans to deploy the eco-products worldwide.
The Bridgestone Group will pursue even greater diversity in environmental management activities across all business domains aiming to be a global company that is proud of its contribution to the environment.
*Data source: Japan Rubber Manufacturers Association carbon dioxide emissions calculated at each stage of the lifecycle of a passenger car tire (185/70R14)
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This mark expresses the environmental management activities promoted by Bridgestone. The “e” represents the first letter of the word “Ecology”, the cornerstone of these activities. The mark also symbolizes the seeds borne from our eco foundations in the form of a clear sky and growing trees. |
Bridgestone Corporation, headquartered in Tokyo, is the world’s largest tire and rubber company. In addition to tires for use in wide variety of applications, it manufactures a broad range of diversified products, which include industrial rubber and chemical products and sporting goods. Its products are sold in over 150 nations and territories around the world.