Bridgestone claims first U.S. tire plant to gain sustainability certification

The company’s tire plant in South Carolina is the first of its kind in the U.S. to earn ISCC PLUS credentials

Bridgestone’s Aiken County tire plant is the first U.S. tire manufacturing facility to earn the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS recognition. (Image source: Bridgestone Americas) 

Bridgestone Americas’ Aiken County Passenger/Light Truck Radial tire plant in Graniteville, S.C. has become the first U.S. tire manufacturing facility to earn the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS recognition for transparency and traceability of sustainable raw materials. 

The 2.78 million-square-foot manufacturing facility employs more than 1,740 people and started manufacturing passenger and light truck radial tires in 1997. 

The facility uses biomaterial, bio-circular and circular-based material to replace synthetic rubber in an effort to produce tires from 100-percent sustainable materials by 2050. 

The bio-based and recycled content of the synthetic rubber is defined using the ISCC PLUS mass balance approach, in which certified and non-certified materials are mixed physically but kept separate in bookkeeping so companies can track how much sustainable material is used in their manufacturing.  

 “Step by step, we are working to overcome the technological and market barriers to fully sustainable and renewable tires made with bio-sourced and recycled materials,” said Nizar Trigui, Chief Technology Officer and Group President, Bridgestone Americas, in a statement. “This ISCC PLUS certification for our Aiken County Plant is an important mile marker in our journey to become a leading sustainable solutions company.” 

The Aiken County facility is powered by eight acres of ground-based solar panels that generate enough electricity to power over 200 homes annually, replacing 1,400 metric tons of CO2 emissions each year.   

The push for ISSC certification is part of Bridgestone’s E8 Commitment, which names eight values that define Bridgestone’s corporate sustainability commitment. They are: 

Energy: Committed to the realization of a carbon neutral mobility society. 

Ecology: Committed to advancing sustainable tire technologies and solutions that preserve the environment for future generations. 

Efficiency: Committed to maximizing productivity through the advancement of mobility. 

Extension: Committed to nonstop mobility and innovation that keeps people and the world moving ahead. 

Economy: Committed to maximizing the economic value of mobility and business operations. 

Emotion: Committed to inspiring excitement and spreading joy to the world of mobility. 

Ease: Committed to bringing comfort and peace of mind to mobility life. 

Empowerment: Committed to contributing to a society that ensures accessibility and dignity for all.