Bridgestone turns to biomass energy at Costa Rica plant

La Ribera de Belén, Costa Rica – Bridgestone de Costa Rica has officially started up a biomass boiler unit at its La Ribera de Belén plant. The unit is expected to reduce the tire factory’s fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by around 50 percent.

In a 4 Dec announcement, Bridgestone described the investment as "one of its most important projects [in terms of] its impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing energy efficiency at the plant.”

This biomass technology is saving up to an average daily bunker consumption of 11,000 litres: significantly reducing the fuel bill, according to the company statement.

"For Bridgestone, the development of this project is a tremendous step towards our consistent and firm goal of becoming carbon neutral, " said Oscar Rodriguez, president of Bridgestone de Costa Rica.