WILSON, N.C. — Bridgestone Americas Inc.'s passenger and light truck tire plant in Wilson, N.C., has received the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS recognition for its transparency and traceability of sustainable raw materials including bio, bio-circular and circular-based material to replace synthetic rubber in its transition to a circular economy.
It is the second Bridgestone plant to receive the honor, joining Bridgestone's Aiken County, S.C., passenger/light truck tire facility
The Wilson facility has led production of the new Bridgestone Turanza EV tire; Bridgestone's first replacement tire designed specifically for today's top-selling electric vehicles.
In 2020, the plant was recognized for its effective safety and health management systems and maintaining low injury and illness rates by the North Carolina Department of Labor.
Bridgestone said it is the largest industrial employer in Wilson County and plays an active role in the Wilson community, contributing to the United Way of Wilson County's campaign, Wilson Education Partnership and the American Red Cross.
Barry Owens, senior vice president, Bridgestone Americas, said the award "speaks to the commitment, dedication and diligence of each of our Wilson teammates who are committed to safe, sustainable operations that ultimately provide our customers with high-quality tires. We continue to implement enhanced sustainable operational systems and processes across our global manufacturing footprint."
Hans Dorfi, senior vice president of engineering, Bridgestone America, called the certification "an important mile marker in our journey to a sustainable solutions company ..."
"Sustainable manufacturing is a core element of our 2050 commitments, and we will continue to implement changes to the processes at our manufacturing facilities to work toward a sustainable mobility future."
The ISCC PLUS certification, Bridgestone said, demonstrates its progress toward sustainable manufacturing, an essential element of the company's 2050 sustainability commitments — to achieve carbon neutrality and tires made with 100% renewable materials.
Bridgestone said it is continuing its R&D initiative aimed at diversifying the world's natural rubber supply by commercializing use of guayule natural rubber in tires by 2030.
