Bridgestone Aims To Commercialize Natural Rubber From Desert Shrubs By 2030

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Bridgestone Americas has announced plans to establish commercial operations for planting and harvesting a woody desert shrub called guayule as a domestic source of natural rubber in America’s desert southwest. Nashville, Tennessee-based Bridgestone Americas is the North American branch of the Bridgestone tire manufacturer based in Tokyo, Japan. 

To date, Bridgestone has invested more than $100 million in guayule research as part of its effort to achieve carbon neutrality and 100% renewable tires by 2050.

As part of the new announcement, Bridgestone plans to invest an additional $42 million to establish commercial operations, with additional investment and expansion intended toward 2030. The company will also collaborate and partner with local farmers and Native American tribes to increase the capacity of up to 25,000 additional acres of farmland for planting and harvesting guayule at scale. 

For more information, read the announcement here or visit bridgestoneamericas.com

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