Bridgestone wins the Italian E.ON Energia Award 2012

Bridgestone’s Technical Center Europe (TCE), based in Rome, has won the special Italian “E.ON Energia Award” for distinguishing itself in energy efficiency during 2012.

Since 2010, in line with Bridgestone’s policy of improving energy efficiency to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the Technical Center Europe has implemented an energy management system for its production processes. This system improves process efficiency through the systematic planning of activities aimed at reducing consumption, in order to achieve precise energy efficiency targets. The system is currently certified by Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance according to international standard ISO 50001:2011, and the Center is one of the first Italian companies to have obtained this certification.

To initiate the improvement programmes, the Center carried out an audit on the efficiency of the plants and began monitoring consumption in detail. Most of the efforts have been concentrated on reducing electricity and methane consumption without affecting productivity.

The initiative by the Technical Center Europe, the cornerstone of all research activities carried out by Bridgestone in Europe during the phases of tyre design, material procurement, prototype production and advanced testing, is linked to the Group’s long-term goal of achieving a 50% reduction in its CO2 emissions by 2050. To meet this target, the Japanese company has adapted its activities according to the forecasts of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and international scholars. Bridgestone has also set itself two medium-term targets for 2020: a 35% cut in total CO2 emissions, and a 25% improvement in the rolling resistance of its tyres.

“This award represents a further recognition of Bridgestone’s contribution to sustainable development and a healthy society. These are fundamental values for the Group, which are reflected in our support for CSR activities and in the development of our products”, said Gianni Lampazzi, Director of Tyre Development Operations at Bridgestone’s Technical Center Europe.