The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. has unveiled its latest innovation in sustainable tyre manufacturing. The company's Shinshiro-Minami Plant, located in Shinshiro City, Aichi Prefecture, has commenced the production of the ADVAN Sport EV, a high-performance summer tyre tailored for premium electric vehicles (EVs). This groundbreaking initiative is powered by the plant's newly installed solar panel power generation system and renewable energy.
Launched officially in August, the solar panel system boasts an impressive output of approximately 1.1 MW. It is anticipated to produce around 1,469 MWh annually, translating to a significant reduction in CO2 emissions by nearly 599 tons each year. This eco-friendly venture has garnered support from the Japanese Ministry of the Environment, receiving subsidies under its 2021 initiative to promote renewable energy and bolster energy resilience.
Furthermore, the Shinshiro-Minami Plant's commitment to sustainability is evident in its exclusive use of renewable-energy electricity, which is believed to be 100% derived from renewable sources. This ensures zero CO2 emissions, a claim backed by the electric power provider, Chubu Electric Power Miraiz Co., Inc. Through the procurement of FIT non-fossil fuel certificates and non-FIT non-fossil fuel certificates, the plant is set to decrease its annual CO2 emissions by an estimated 570 tons.
This move aligns seamlessly with Yokohama Rubber's medium-term management strategy, Yokohama Transformation 2023 (YX2023). Centred around the theme of "Caring for the Future," YX2023 underscores the company's dedication to sustainability, aiming to address societal challenges and enhance corporate value.
With a vision set on carbon neutrality, Yokohama Rubber has outlined an ambitious goal: to achieve net zero CO2 emissions by 2050. A significant milestone in this journey is the transformation of the Shinshiro-Minami Plant, a primary facility for producing high-performance passenger car tyres, into a carbon-neutral model by 2030. The plant's transition to natural gas as boiler fuel and its focus on producing tyres that champion carbon neutrality are testament to this commitment. Moreover, the company is poised to leverage the expertise gained at Shinshiro-Minami to make all its production sites, both in Japan and abroad, carbon neutral by 2050.
This initiative by Yokohama Rubber not only underscores its commitment to sustainability but also sets a benchmark for the tyre manufacturing industry, pushing the envelope towards a greener future.
