SRI recognised for biodiversity work at Shirakawa tire factory
Forest management, conservation of endangered plants among activities at Sumitomo Rubber facility
Tokyo - Sumitomo Rubber Industries (SRI) has gained national recognition for the environmental stewardship activities being carried out at its 50-year-old tire factory in Shirakawa, Fukushima prefecture.
For its forest management and conservation of endangered plants, the unit has been certified as a 'sustainably managed natural site' by the ministry of the environment of Japan.
Conservation work there includes the protection of near-threatened species, such as 'yellow floating heart' and 'Asian fawn lily' growing on the factory grounds, said the group's 31 Oct announcement.
An SRI-developed forest in the vicinity of the Shirakawa factory, was also recognised as an "outstanding site for supporting a diverse range of plant species and their habitats."
Moreover, the manufacturer hosts events and provides saplings grown at the factory to local people "to make the factory valued by the community."
"We will continue to preserve biodiversity through business activities in collaboration with our stakeholders in areas of biodiversity and nature," added SRI.
Operational since 1974, the Shirakawa plant makes tires for passenger cars, trucks, and buses and has capacity to process around 10,350 tons of new rubber a month.
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