News

News

Bridgestone Americas Unveils Firestone Brand Agriculture Tire Manufactured with 10 Percent Soybean Oil Concept tire lays foundation for future use of soy oil in agricultural tire manufacturing

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (August 29, 2012) – Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations (Bridgestone Americas) revealed a new concept tire containing more than 10 percent soybean oil at the Farm Progress 2012 Show in Boone, Iowa. The 900-pound farm tire is marketed under the Firestone brand of agricultural tires and contains approximately 90 pounds of soy oil. The typical application for the 800/70R38 Radial Deep Tread 23 tire being displayed is on large four wheel drive tractors where eight tires are used.

“The soybean oil has replaced all the different petroleum-based processing oils used in the tire’s compounds,” said Tom Rodgers, director of sales & marketing at Bridgestone Americas. “Engineers and compounders from our Americas Technology Center, and also the company’s Des Moines agricultural tire plant, have been working on this concept tire project for several months. Based on the progress of the project, we expect to begin incorporating soy oil into some of our agricultural tires by early 2013. Our goal is to have soy oil as a component in all of our agriculture tires by the end of 2013.”

2012 marks the 80th anniversary of Harvey Firestone’s introduction of the first pneumatic tire specifically for agricultural use. This innovation is the latest example of how the Firestone brand has continued to build on the heritage, tire technology and innovation that has revolutionized farming.

Rodgers adds, “Any opportunity to enhance the value of the commodities our customers produce is a win for the industry. It’s exciting to have the opportunity to be a customer of our customers, and we are confident that the innovation of using soy oil in our tires is a positive for the global food market.”

Through soybean processing, one bushel of soybeans yields approximately 11 pounds of soy oil. The concept tire on display used roughly eight bushels of soybeans to yield the 90 pounds of soy oil. Soy meal and soy oil are the primary yield in processing soybeans. Soy meal is a key ingredient in pork and poultry feed as a protein additive, and is the driver of demand in processing. Soy oil runs in excess of meal and, typically, any additional use of the oil helps to balance the cost of soy complex, driving meal and feed prices down.

About Bridgestone Americas, Inc.:
Nashville, Tenn.-based Bridgestone Americas, Inc. (BSAM) is the U.S. subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, the world’s largest tire and rubber company. BSAM and its subsidiaries develop, manufacture and market a wide range of Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand tires to address the needs of a broad range of customers, including consumers, automotive and commercial vehicle original equipment manufacturers, and those in the agricultural, forestry and mining industries. The companies are also engaged in retreading operations throughout the Western Hemisphere and produce air springs, roofing materials, and industrial fibers and textiles. The BSAM family of companies also operates the world’s largest chain of automotive tire and service centers. Guided by its One Team, One Planet message, the company is dedicated to achieving a positive environmental impact in all of the communities it calls home.

About Leo Burnett
Leo Burnett Worldwide, part of Publicis Groupe, is one of the world’s largest agency networks with 96 offices and nearly 10,000 employees. In 2012, the global network was awarded a record-breaking 55 Lions at the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity and was also named “Network of the Year” by YoungGuns, Dubai Lynx and MENA Cristal Awards. A HumanKind communications company, Leo Burnett Worldwide has a simple and singular approach: put a brand’s purpose at the center of communications to truly connect with people. Leo Burnett works with some of the world’s most valuable brands including The Coca-Cola Company, Fiat, Kellogg’s, McDonald’s, Nintendo, P&G, Samsung and Tata among others. To learn more about Leo Burnett Worldwide visit our site, Facebook page and follow us via @leoburnett.