Sumitomo Certified as an ‘Eco-First Company’

Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. has pledged its Eco-First Commitment to the Japanese minister of the environment. In response the company has received “Eco-First Company” certification in recognition of its group’s efforts on environmental conservation based on the country’s Eco-First Program.

However, from the tyre industry’s point of view, the most striking news is that the company is aiming to develop “the ultimate eco-tyre…100 per cent free of fossil resources and fuel-efficient tyre whose rolling resistance is reduced by 50 per cent for launch in 2013 and in 2015, respectively.” The company’s Enasave product is already 97 per cent petrochemical free, however, Sumitomo’s goal of achieving a fossil-free tyre in the next 4-6 years is certainly ambitious.

Sumitomo Rubber’s certification sees the company commit to reduce its CO2 emissions to less than 58 per cent of its 1990 levels by 2010 (by switching fuel from heavy oil to natural gas). The company managed to reduce the amount of “reclaimed waste to less than 1 per cent at all… factories both at home and abroad in March 2008.” And what’s more the aim is now to drop this to zero by 2010.

Sumitomo Rubber Industries celebrates its centennial anniversary this year and according to a company statement is taking the opportunity to strengthen its activities as the industry leader in environment for the next 100 years.