Bridgestone is accelerating initiatives toward the realisation of its Sustainability Business Framework.
Bridgestone Commenced its First Solar Power Generation to Meet its Sustainability Goals
Bridgestone Corporation recently announced that it has commenced solar power generation at two tyre plants in Japan, the Shimonoseki Plant and Kitakyushu Plant, based on power purchase agreement. This is the first instance at Bridgestone’s tyre plant in Japan of the company engaging in the large-scale generation of solar power based on a power purchase agreement. With a combined generation capacity of 5.8 MW, the applicable solar power systems will supply the electricity used to produce tyres at the two plants while contributing to a reduction in annual CO2 emissions of approximately 2,700 tons (in comparison to emissions from electricity supplied through the power grid).By promoting the use of renewable energy, Bridgestone seeks to fulfill the corporate commitment described in the “Bridgestone E8 Commitment.”
Bridgestone has placed sustainability at the core of its management and business and strives to realise its vision of “Toward 2050”, Bridgestone continues to provide social and customer value as a sustainable solutions company.” Bridgestone is accelerating initiatives for contributing to the realisation of carbon neutrality and a circular economy for advancing its Sustainability Business Framework that ensures the link between sustainability activities and business across the entire value chain.
These Efforts Align With the “Bridgestone E8 Commitment”
Regarding the realisation of carbon neutrality, Bridgestone aims to achieve its target of reducing absolute CO2 emissions by 50% by 2030, compared to 2011, under its Milestone 2030. Bridgestone’s 2030 Long Term Strategic Aspiration, which was announced on August 2022, also describes its efforts to promote the Green and Smart factory. Specially, Bridgestone seeks to source more than 50% of its energy (electricity) from renewable energy by 2023 and challenge to achieve approx. 100% renewable energy (electricity) by 2030. Bridgestone has transitioned to renewable energy for all electricity purchased at all of Bridgestone EMIA’s locations in Europe, four plants in Japan (Hikone, Shimonoseki, Tosu, and Kitakyushu), and two plants in China (Tianjin and Wuxi). Bridgestone has also begun using solar power at plants in Thailand, the United States, and Europe.
In addition to commencing use of solar power generated based on a power purchase agreement, the Shimonoseki Plant and Kitakyushu Plant switched to renewable energy for all purchased electricity in 2021. 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. Looking ahead, Bridgestone intends to transition to renewable energy for the 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.
