Bridgestone India Aims to reduce 150,000 tons of CO2 Emission in Next Two Decades

Plans to have captive generation of 7 MW of solar power by end 2019

by Priya Jadhav 

Mumbai, May, 2019– Bridgestone India Private Ltd. (Bridgestone India)’s two plants in India have opted for using solar power, arguably the cleanest energy available. The Pune Plant in Chakan, in the state of Maharashtra in Western India, has currently installed 1 MW of Solar capacity and is in the process of setting up of another 4 MW of capacity which will commence operations by September 2019. The Indore plant in Kheda, in Madhya Pradesh in Central India, has 1 MW solar energy capacity that is being enhanced by another 1 MW capacity slated to be operational by the third quarter of 2019.

Mr. Parag Satpute, Managing Director, Bridgestone India, said “Usage of clean energy is key to Bridgestone’s sustainability goals. In sync with this, our adoption of solar energy reduces the dependence on conventional forms of energy leading to a reduction in the carbon footprint. 1 MW of solar capacity saves an estimated 1000 tonnes of CO2 emission per year. By this estimate the 7MW of solar capacity will save an estimated 150,000 tons of CO2 emission over two decades. For us in India, this is a step towards the company’s global long term commitment of achieving a 50% reduction of CO2 emissions by 2050 and beyond.”

While using solar energy is good for the environment, it also reflects positively in monetary terms. 1MW of solar power results in savings of nearly 59 million rupees worth of electricity expenses in 20 years.

Bridgestone Group has focused on the "Environment," as one of the Priority Areas of its Group’s global CSR commitment 'Our Way to Serve' and has set a target of a 35 percent reduction in CO2 emissions per net sales from operations and products’ after-use by 2020 (compared to 2005). Also, it has set a long-term environmental vision for the year 2050 and beyond, for realizing an environmentally sustainable society. The realization of CO2 reduction will be an important part of achieving this vision. As one of Bridgestone Group, Bridgestone India is committed to work for a healthy environment for present and future generations.

For Bridgestone Group’s reduction of CO2 emissions target, please find detail in Bridgestone Group’s Sustainability Report 2017-2018.

About ‘Our Way to Serve’Launched in 2017, “Our Way to Serve” is Bridgestone’s redefined global corporate social responsibility (CSR) commitment centered around three priority areas: Mobility, People and Environment. “Our Way to Serve”, reflects the company’s longstanding philosophy of ‘Serving Society with Superior Quality’ and is a recognition that the best companies not only perform for their stakeholders, but also contribute to a better world.

About Bridgestone India:Bridgestone India Pvt. Ltd started its operations in 1996. In March 1998 with the setup of its manufacturing facility in Kheda, Madhya Pradesh, Bridgestone achieved its objective of running Indian manufactured Bridgestone tyres on Indian Roads. It expanded its facilities by setting up one more facility in Chakan, Pune in 2013. In a short stint of more than 20 years, Bridgestone India Pvt. Ltd has become one of the leading tyre companies in both the OEM & Replacement market.

About Bridgestone Corporation:Bridgestone Corporation, headquartered in Tokyo, is the world’s largest tyre and rubber company. In addition to tires for use in a wide variety of applications, it also manufactures a broad range of diversified products, which include industrial rubber and chemical products and sporting goods. Its products are sold in over 150 nations and territories around the world.