Bridgestone observes importance of water conservation

You may not have heard the news, but tomorrow is World Water Day. Bridgestone, however, is well aware of our favourite liquid’s link to 22 March, and to mark the occasion the Japanese company has reported on the water management initiatives it has in place to promote the sustainable use of water resources in its manufacturing processes. These initiatives include using water in an efficient manner and thoroughly managing waste water, and are in place at various European, Asian and American locations.

For the European region, the talk is of reducing water usage volume by 52 per cent through optimising water supply. Bridgestone reports that between 2003 and 2010 the water input volume at its seven Bridgestone Europe tyre plants decreased by 30 per cent and water input volume improved 47 per cent per unit of production. Water usage is being reduced through a number of measures, including recycling coolant by installing cooling towers, optimising water supply by fundamentally revising pipe arrangements, replacing existing equipment with more efficient equipment, reducing coolant usage volume by improving manufacturing processes (such as reducing vulcanisation time) and ensuring equipment that utilises water is well-maintained.

Going forward, the Bridgestone Group says it will continue to advance its water management initiatives in accordance with the company’s Environmental Mission Statement.