The Impact of White Root Disease on Rubber Plantations

White Root Disease poses a serious challenge for the rubber industry. It is caused by pathogenic fungi that attack the roots of rubber trees, leading to root decay and ultimately killing the trees. The disease often goes undetected until severe damage has occurred, making it particularly difficult to manage.

With rubber being a key raw material for tyre production, WRD represents a major risk to both large-scale plantations and smallholder farmers. This project aims to mitigate that risk by focusing on solutions that can detect and prevent the disease at an early stage, helping to preserve rubber trees and stabilise rubber yields.

Project Goals and Long-Term Benefits

The collaboration between Bridgestone and its partners in Japan and Indonesia seeks to achieve several key objectives:

• Developing advanced technologies to prevent WRD fungal infections in rubber trees
• Stabilising natural rubber yields to ensure sustainable production
• Improving overall plantation productivity to benefit both large and small-scale farmers

By addressing the WRD threat, the project is expected to deliver long-lasting benefits to the rubber industry and those who rely on it. Some of these benefits include:

• Enhanced Sustainability: Bridgestone’s efforts to protect rubber trees are in line with its commitment to sustainable sourcing and environmental responsibility.
• Economic Stability: Smallholder farmers and larger plantations alike will benefit from improved yields, safeguarding livelihoods in regions that rely heavily on rubber cultivation.
• Supply Chain Resilience: By increasing productivity and protecting rubber supplies, this initiative could help secure a more stable and reliable source of natural rubber for global industries.

Bridgestone’s Role in Promoting Rubber Sustainability

This project is part of Bridgestone’s wider commitment to sustainable rubber production. The company’s Global Sustainable Procurement Policy addresses both environmental and social issues throughout its supply chain, ensuring responsible sourcing of raw materials.

Bridgestone has been active in promoting sustainable practices through partnerships with organisations like the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). The company is also working towards a goal of using 100% sustainable materials in its products by 2050. Bridgestone’s investment in research, including the effort to combat WRD, reflects its dedication to the long-term health of the natural rubber industry and the communities that depend on it.

This initiative serves as an example of how multinational corporations can collaborate with local partners to address critical agricultural challenges and promote sustainability across the supply chain.

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