Bridgestone unveils major upgrade at off-road tire plant
18 Apr 2021
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Investing €78m in flagship plant for mining and construction equipment tires in Japan
Tokyo – Bridgestone is investing Yen10.2 billion (€78 million) in new production equipment to be installed at its Shimonoseki plant in Yamaguchi prefecture, the Japanese tire maker announced 16 April.
The project, it said, will enhance “safety, disaster-preparedness, eco-friendliness, quality and productivity” at Shimonoseki – Bridgestone's flagship production base for tires for mining and construction vehicles.
Bridgestone added that the addition of “cutting-edge equipment” at the 775-employee plant would support plans to strengthen and expand its ‘mining tire and solutions business’ on a global scale.
Part of an investment programme under the group’s ‘mid-term business plan’, the installation work is set to start in 2022 and be completed by the end of 2025.
Solar power equipment will also be installed to increase the portion of the 50-year-old plant's electricity generated from renewable energy, reducing CO2 emissions and environmental impacts.
In addition, a water purification system will be introduced to convert industrial water used in tire production into drinkable water, and so reduce the impacts on the local environment.
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