TOKYO—Hangzhou Yokohama Tire Co. Ltd., a subsidiary of the Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd., has been certified as a Hangzhou City Environmental Education Base by authorities in Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, China.
According to Yokohama, about 300,000 companies have operations in Hangzhou City, but only 30 have been certified as Environmental Education Bases. The Yokohama Rubber subsidiary is one of only four manufacturers to earn the award.
It marks the second time in two years that Hangzhou Yokohama Tire's efforts have been recognized. In 2013, the company was certified as an Environmental Education Base by the Hangzhou Economic and Technological Development Zone, where the company's facilities are located.
According to Yokohama Rubber, the subsidiary's basic management plan calls for the company to “assert world-class strengths in technologies for protecting the environment.”
Since 2011, Hangzhou Yokohama has worked with Hangzhou City's environmental protection policy, investing more than $3.2 million in environment-friendly facilities, including the introduction of deodorizing and dust emission purification equipment to the mixing and vulcanization process lines at the tire manufacturing plant and the construction of on-site sewage treatment facilities.
The company started a recycle water project to promote reduced use of water at the plant's production lines and at employees' homes. The project has succeeded in reducing water usage by 10,000 tons during 2014. In addition, Hangzhou Yokohama Tire designed and constructed the Yokohama Tire Garden, where visitors can learn about the environment while enjoying the garden's facilities.
Hangzhou Yokohama Tire, which employs 1,350, was established in January 2002 and began making tires in May 2003. The company manufactures and sells original equipment and replacement tires for passenger cars and SUVs.