NASHVILLE—Bridgestone Americas Inc., the largest rubber products maker in North America, continues its push to develop guayule as an alternative to hevea natural rubber.
The journey that began in 2012 for the world's second-largest tire maker just saw another $35 million infusion, as the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the grant Nov. 16.
"At Bridgestone, we have been committed to guayule as a domestic source of natural rubber since our research initiative in this desert shrub began ... to offer a more sustainable solution for both our environment and economy," said William Niaura, director of sustainable materials and circular economy for Bridgestone Americas. "By participating in this larger industry-wide initiative led by the USDA, we can continue our commitment to establishing a natural rubber industry domestically in a climate-smart way alongside other industry thought leaders who are similarly dedicated to sustainable commodity production that will provide meaningful benefits for domestic growers."
The climate-smart grant—issued by the USDA under the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities Initiative—will expand Bridgestone's guayule production in the Southwestern U.S., using lowered greenhouse gas emissions and creating regional jobs for farmers and Native American tribes to build this rubber bioeconomy in the water-starved region.