Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., will no longer rely on electric power to produce tires at its Mishima plant. In a recent announcement, the company announced that it will be switching to renewable energy-generated electric power as it works to achieve 100% carbon neutrality by 2050.
The switch will allow the manufacturer to eliminate CO2 emissions. TEPCO Energy Partner, Inc. has already issued FIT non-fossil fuel certificates with tracking information and non-FIT fuel certificates with renewable energy attributes.
These are certificates issued to non-fossil renewable energy sources subject or not subject to the Feed-In Tariff (FIT) system. These include systems such as wind, solar, biomass, and small hydropower. Those with tracking information provide data on the specific power source and type linked to the site. Companies can submit this information to international organizations and other interested parties to help track progress.
The plant produces Yokohama tires for motorsports. The tires are used in different races around the globe, including the SUPER GT and SUPER FORMULA Championship races in Japan and the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in the US.
In addition to these efforts, Yokohama Rubber promotes carbon neutrality through its biodiversity conservation and tree-planting initiatives. The tires supplied for dry conditions in the last SUPER FORMULA Championship were made using 33% sustainable materials.
The sustainability level was achieved using natural rubber, naturally sourced compounding agents such as oil from orange peels and oil palm fruit nuts, rubber retrieved from recycled tires, and recycled iron.
Yokohama believes that promoting sustainability initiatives will contribute positively to societal problems and increase corporate value.