Bridgestone Americas Recognized With 2015 Edison Gold Award for Innovation in Automotive Solutions

NASHVILLE, Tenn., April 27, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Bridgestone Americas (Bridgestone) today announced that it was recognized with a 2015 Edison Gold Award for Innovation in Automotive Solutions during the ceremony and gala dinner, held in New York on April 23. The company received the award for its innovative work aimed at diversifying the world's natural rubber supply using rubber derived from guayule, a woody desert shrub native to the Southwestern U.S. and Mexico. Bridgestone is researching how to develop guayule-derived natural rubber for use in various tire applications.

The Edison Awards, inspired by Thomas Edison's persistence and inventiveness, recognize innovation, creativity and ingenuity in the global economy. The awards program is conducted by Edison Universe, whose mission is to be a leader in globally recognizing, honoring and fostering innovation and innovators to create a positive impact in the world.The Edison Awards steering committee, with more than 3,000 professionals from the fields of product development, design, engineering, science, marketing and education, voted the company's innovative work with guayule a 2015 Edison Gold Award winner.

"The work we are doing at our Biorubber Process Research Center in Arizona is important to diversifying the world's natural rubber supply and identifying sustainable and renewable resources," said Bill Niaura, director of new business development, Bridgestone Americas, Inc. "This work is one of many ways we are using innovation to achieve our long-term vision of manufacturing products from raw materials that are fully renewable and sustainable by 2050. We are honored to be recognized."

In 2014, Bridgestone began rubber production at the Arizona-based research facility. With all of the world's natural rubber currently derived from rubber trees native to Southeast Asia, developing a tire using guayule will stimulate new economies, growth and opportunities in the United States. Through this innovation project and others like it, Bridgestone is positioning itself to meet anticipated growth in demand for natural rubber, while also moving closer to achieving its long-term vision of manufacturing products from raw materials that are fully renewable and sustainable by 2050.

The environmental mission of Bridgestone is to ensure a healthy environment for current and future generations. All of the company's sustainability initiatives are aligned under the One Team, One Planet sustainability platform. For additional information about the company's One Team, One Planet environmental activities or the environmental mission of Bridgestone, visit www.BridgestoneAmericas.com.

About Bridgestone Americas, Inc.:
Nashville, Tennessee-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 Edison Awards:
The Edison Awards is a program conducted by Edison Universe, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to fostering future innovators. For more information about the Edison Awards, Edison Universe and a list of past winners, visit www.edisonawards.com.

SOURCE Bridgestone Americas, Inc.

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