Firestone Liberia Gets Into Wood Business

Bridgestone Americas Holding’s Firestone Liberia plantation unit has opened the first phase of its effort to process rubber wood. The company said the air-dried rubber wood is a value-added, ecologically sustainable product of its natural rubber operations. Firestone Liberia said the project will create 500 new jobs in the country.

Rubber trees will be processed after they reach the end of their lifecycle for producing latex, which is typically around 30 years. The old trees will be cut down and processed to a hardwood that cam be used in furniture and flooring. (Tire Review/Akron)