• Bridgestone Tire Manufacturing Vietnam– the Bridgestone factory situated in Hai Phong - plans to achieve 100% renewable energy from biomass towards steam use in production by November 2023.
• This transition is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 92% compared to the emissions produced by the LPG Boiler.
• This effort towards Green & Smart factory supports realization of carbon neutral mobility society and aligns with the “Bridgestone E8 Commitment" which accelerates Bridgestone’s transformation to a sustainable solutions company.
Hai Phong (27.09.2023) - Bridgestone Tire Manufacturing Vietnam Limited Liability Company (BTMV) has officially announced that its factory will transition to 100% renewable energy for steam use generated from biomass. The factory will gradually switch from liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to biomass energy, with the transition expected to be completed by November 2023.
Bridgestone Tire Manufacturing Vietnam Limited Liability Company
Fully committed to environmental sustainability goals, BTMV has inaugurated a Biomass Steam System and aims to integrate a 10-ton/hr Biomass Boiler. The Biomass Steam System reduces CO2 emissions by approximately 92%*1 compared to those of the LPG Boiler. By adopting 100% biomass energy, BTMV has demonstrated its commitment to environmental sustainability goals. This transition supports the Bridgestone Group’s global objective of achieving a 50% reduction in CO2 emissions (Scope 1 and 2) by 2030 compared to 2011 levels and aligns with the Government of Vietnam’s National Climate Change Strategy, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with the roadmap up to 2050.
By promoting the use of renewable energy sources, BTMV seeks to realize the value of “Energy: Committed to the realization of a carbon neutral mobility society” and "Ecology: Committed to advancing sustainable tire technologies and solutions that preserve the environment for future generations” in our corporate commitment Bridgestone E8 Commitment*2 announced in 2022.
Biomass energy is generated through combustion fueled by materials such as rice husk or wood chips. These materials release stored energy as heat through the process of photosynthesis, providing renewable energy without adding CO2 to the atmosphere. This makes biomass energy a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional fossil fuels.
Mr. Nobuharu Shiina, General Director of BTMV, emphasizes the shared vision of achieving a “greener tire” for a “cleaner life”. He says, “BTMV is making steady progress toward realizing a carbon-neutral society based on the BridgestoneE8 commitment. In order to make tire manufacturing more sustainable, we have realized green energy using biomass this time. By maximizing other green energies, we will continue striving to reduce CO2 emissions by 2030 and promote material circularity as we work toward realizing a sustainable society.”
As an agricultural country, Vietnam has abundant sources of biomass energy materials, with more than 160 million tons of biomass available each year from the cultivation industry, including straw, bagasse, and rice husks. However, there are challenges revolving around the seasonal fluctuation of material prices, the need for investment capital, and skilled workers in biofuel projects. Despite the challenges, BTMV remains committed to maximizing the use of biomass energy, aligning with the government’s support for biomass in manufacturing.
“Selling products from BTMV brings various contributions to the society. Not only development of the community, but also CO2 emission reduction in production and in transportation of the goods. The global standard of product performance ensures the value for the customer as well. We would like to proudly contribute to sustainable development of Vietnam through promoting BTMV products in our market,” shares Mr. Naoki Inutsuka, General Director of Bridgestone Tire Sales Vietnam LLC.
Dr. Sreepadaraj Karanam, Vice President of Sustainability & CSR for Bridgestone China, Asia Pacific, expressed “Bridgestone Group has placed sustainability at the core of its management and business and strives to realize its vision of ‘Toward 2050, Bridgestone continues to provide social and customer value as a sustainable solutions company.’ BTMV's transition to 100% renewable energy for steam use will significantly contribute to Bridgestone's accelerated efforts in achieving carbon neutrality (Scope 1 and 2) by 2050. This effort is also well aligned with our unique Sustainability Business Model*3 that links business with efforts to realize carbon neutrality and circular economy across the value chain, from the ‘produce and sell’ and ‘use’ of products to their ‘renewal’ to raw materials.”
Bridgestone Group's 2030 Long Term Strategic Aspiration*4 also describes its efforts to promote the Green & Smart factory. Specially, Bridgestone seeks to source more than 50% of its energy (electricity) from renewable energy by 2023 and strive to achieve approximately 100% renewable energy (electricity) by 2030.
*1 Based on an internal study.
*2 The Bridgestone Group newly established its corporate commitment, the “Bridgestone E8 Commitment” to realize its vision: “Toward 2050, Bridgestone continues to provide social value and customer value as a sustainable solutions company.” This commitment will serve as the Group’s axis to drive management while earning the trust of future generations. The “Bridgestone E8 Commitment” consists of 8 Bridgestone-like values starting with the letter “E” (Energy, Ecology, Efficiency, Extension, Economy, Emotion, Ease, and Empowerment) that the Group will commit to creating through Bridgestone-like “purpose“ and “process“, together with employees, society, its partners and customers to realize a sustainable society.
*3 In 2020, the Group announced its sustainability business framework and is working to establish a unique Sustainability Business Model that links its business with efforts to realize carbon neutrality and a circular economy across the value chain, from the “produce and sell” and “use” of products to their “renewal” to raw materials. Please refer to the Bridgestone 3.0 Journey 2023 Integrated Report for more information.
https://www.bridgestone.com/ir/library/integrated_report/2023/assets/pdf/section/ir2023_52-57.pdf
*4 2030 Long Term Strategic Aspiration - Bridgestone 3.0 Journey - Roadmap toward becoming a resilient "excellent" Bridgestone (August 31, 2022) https://www.bridgestone.com/ir/library/strategy/pdf/ENG_lsa20220831.pdf
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About Bridgestone Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd.
Bridgestone is a global leader in tires and rubber building on its expertise to provide solutions for safe and sustainable mobility. Headquartered in Tokyo, the company employs approximately 130,000 people globally and conducts business in more than 150 countries and territories worldwide. Bridgestone offers a diverse product portfolio of premium tires and advanced solutions backed by innovative technologies, improving the way people around the world move, live, work and play.
The regional office Bridgestone Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd. In Singapore oversees the operations of tyre production and sales facilities, and supplies its products to more than 20 countries in the region. Bridgestone Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd. and its subsidiaries across the region offers a diverse portfolio of original equipment and replacement tyres, tyre-centric solutions and mobility solutions that deliver social value and customer value. Guided by its corporate commitment "Bridgestone E8 Commitment", Bridgestone is dedicated to shaping a sustainable future of mobility and improving the way people move, live, work and play.
About Bridgestone Vietnam
In Vietnam, Bridgestone Tire Sales Vietnam LLC. (BSTVN) is a leading tire brand in Vietnam's automotive industry. Together with Bridgestone Tire Manufacturing Vietnam LLC., (BTMV), Bridgestone provides an extensive range of quality tires for passenger cars and commercial vehicles in Vietnam. Staying committed to the global mission of "Serving society with superior quality" for more than 90 years, Bridgestone Vietnam work closely with its partners to deliver social values and customer values.