NASHVILLE, Tenn., April 27, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Bridgestone
Americas (Bridgestone) today announced that it was recognized with
a 2015 Edison Gold Award for Innovation in Automotive Solutions
during the ceremony and gala dinner, held in New York on April
23. The company received the award for its innovative work
aimed at diversifying the world's natural rubber supply using
rubber derived from guayule, a woody desert shrub native to the
Southwestern U.S. and Mexico.
Bridgestone is researching how to develop guayule-derived natural
rubber for use in various tire applications.
The Edison Awards, inspired by Thomas
Edison's persistence and inventiveness, recognize
innovation, creativity and ingenuity in the global economy. The
awards program is conducted by Edison Universe, whose mission is to
be a leader in globally recognizing, honoring and fostering
innovation and innovators to create a positive impact in the
world.The Edison Awards steering committee, with more than 3,000
professionals from the fields of product development, design,
engineering, science, marketing and education, voted the company's
innovative work with guayule a 2015 Edison Gold Award winner.
"The work we are doing at our Biorubber Process Research Center
in Arizona is important to
diversifying the world's natural rubber supply and identifying
sustainable and renewable resources," said Bill Niaura, director of new business
development, Bridgestone Americas, Inc. "This work is one of many
ways we are using innovation to achieve our long-term vision of
manufacturing products from raw materials that are fully renewable
and sustainable by 2050. We are honored to be recognized."
In 2014, Bridgestone began rubber production at the Arizona-based research facility. With all of
the world's natural rubber currently derived from rubber trees
native to Southeast Asia,
developing a tire using guayule will stimulate new economies,
growth and opportunities in the United
States. Through this innovation project and others like it,
Bridgestone is positioning itself to meet anticipated growth in
demand for natural rubber, while also moving closer to achieving
its long-term vision of manufacturing products from raw materials
that are fully renewable and sustainable by 2050.
The environmental mission of Bridgestone is to ensure a healthy
environment for current and future generations. All of the
company's sustainability initiatives are aligned under the One
Team, One Planet sustainability
platform. For additional information about the company's One Team,
One Planet environmental activities
or the environmental mission of Bridgestone, visit
www.BridgestoneAmericas.com.
About Bridgestone Americas,
Inc.:
Nashville,
Tennessee-based Bridgestone Americas, Inc. (BSAM) is the
U.S. subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, the world's largest
tire and rubber company. BSAM and its subsidiaries develop,
manufacture and market a wide range of Bridgestone, Firestone and
associate brand tires to address the needs of a broad range of
customers, including consumers, automotive and commercial vehicle
original equipment manufacturers, and those in the agricultural,
forestry and mining industries. The companies are also engaged in
retreading operations throughout the Western Hemisphere and produce
air springs, roofing materials, and industrial fibers and textiles.
The BSAM family of companies also operates the world's largest
chain of automotive tire and service centers. Guided by its One
Team, One Planet message, the
company is dedicated to achieving a positive environmental impact
in all of the communities it calls home.
About Edison Awards:
The Edison Awards is a
program conducted by Edison Universe, a 501(c)(3) charitable
organization dedicated to fostering future innovators. For more
information about the Edison Awards, Edison Universe and a list of
past winners, visit www.edisonawards.com.
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SOURCE Bridgestone Americas, Inc.