Sumitomo opens Kobe tyre tech centre

Tire Business staff report

Kobe, Japan - Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd. (SRI) has opened a $56 million tyre technical center at its Kobe headquarters complex, which will serve as a cornerstone to SRI's centennial celebration.

SRI - founded in Kobe in October 1909 as a unit of Great Britain's Dunlop Rubber Co. Ltd. - is marking its 100th anniversary with the slogan: “Now, toward the next century.”

The 86 000-sq.-ft., six-story center will play a key role in developing eco-friendly products, SRI said, such as tires free of fossil resources or that exhibit 50-percent lower rolling resistance. The company held an opening ceremony 17 Sept at the facility.

It uses wind power, solar power and biomass as power sources, SRI said, and has a rooftop garden and other amenities to improve the working atmosphere.

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Sumitomo opens Kobe tyre tech centre from Tire Business (a Crain publication)