Bridgestone reaches for South Carolina skies for energy efficiency

GRANITEVILLE, S.C.—Bridgestone Americas Inc.'s tire plant in Graniteville is harnessing one of South Carolina's most abundant resources: the sun.

The tire maker installed its first solar array across 8 acres at the facility in Aiken County, S.C., a move that provides power directly to the manufacturing process. The solar panels generate enough to electricity to power 200 homes for a year, and reduce the tire plant's carbon dioxide emissions by as much as 1,400 metric tons annually, according to Bridgestone.

Paolo Ferrari, Bridgestone Americas' president and CEO, said the tire maker's decision to lean into these solar energy resources is indicative of the company's commitment to global sustainability and environmental preservation.

"At Bridgestone, sustainability is core to our business and integrated into every level of our operation," Ferrari said in a statement. "...This solar array is another positive step in Bridgestone's journey to contribute to a more sustainable and equitable society for all."

For the solar panel installation, Bridgestone partnered with Clemson University, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to explore best ways to encourage growth of native, low-maintenance and biodiverse vegetation around the solar panels.

"Renewable energy has many benefits for the environment and Bridgestone, most notably the reduction in CO2 emissions and reduced energy costs," Jim DeMouy, Bridgestone Americas' vice president of environment, health, safety and sustainability, said in a statement. "Bridgestone is grateful for the support of state and local leaders and community partners who worked with us to make this solar array a reality."

The Graniteville plant is no stranger to environmental initiatives, having been at the center of several in recent years. In addition to receiving LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, the facility is a Certified Habitat by the National Wildlife Habitat Council. Bridgestone regularly conducts free environmental education programs on site in Aiken County as part of its Bridgestone Environmental Education Program, which has received state and national recognition for excellence.

The tire maker also notes that the Aiken County site was awarded membership in the South Carolina Environmental Excellence Program in 2018, an honor earned after an "extensive evaluation of the many deliberate efforts by the plant to promote environmental protection."

Opened in 1998, the Graniteville plant produces both passenger and light truck tires for the original equipment and replacement markets. The facility employs about 1,600 and has capacity for about 37,750 units per day, according to Rubber & Plastics News data.

Nashville, Tenn.-headquartered Bridgestone Americas Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Bridgestone Corp., also operates its Aiken County Off Road Tire Plant in Trenton, S.C., where it produces large- and ultra-large off-road radial tires.