Sumitomo Rubber, Sustainability Long -term Policy Briefing Session Uses "Hydrogen" for alternative energy for natural gas

What is the Long-Term Sustainability Policy “Boom Future Challenge 2050”

Mr. Bunichi Yamashita, Executive Officer, General Manager, Sustainability Promotion Division, Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.

Next, Mr. Yamashita, General Manager, Sustainability Promotion Division, took the stage . First, in the medium-term management plan for fiscal 2020, we introduced that we have declared that we will contribute to solving environmental and social issues through our business and strengthen our efforts to make society sustainable. At the same time, in order for the company and society to achieve sustainable growth, "policies and plans from a long-term perspective looking ahead to 2050 will be necessary," says Mr. Yamashita. The long-term sustainability policy announced this time embodies the company's raison d'etre, which was established in the new corporate philosophy system "Our Philosophy" announced last year: "Creating the ultimate in peace of mind and joy through innovation that opens up the future." I explained that it was a policy for

In addition, the long-term sustainability policy has been named "Bouncy Future Challenge 2050" from the idea of ​​​​"realizing a bountiful future." It is said that all employees of the group will work together to set challenging goals for each of the three categories of environment, society, and governance. In the environmental category in particular, we are promoting the reduction of CO2 emissions, the conversion of raw materials to biomass and recycling, and the development of sustainable products throughout the entire supply chain, including procurement, transportation, development, manufacturing, and sales. By using the sensing technology of the company, we will develop a new solution service that is safe, secure, and has a low environmental impact, and aims to establish a recycling-oriented business not only by 2030, but also by 2050.

Among them, the introduction of new initiatives for the smart tire concept toward 2050, such as the use of biomass raw materials, the use of next-generation energy "hydrogen", and the establishment of standards for sustainable products, was also promoted.

Achieving sustainability requires a long-term planSumitomo Rubber Industries is aiming for sustainable growth of society and companies. Conceptual diagram of "Hamu Mirai Challenge 2050." Overview of recycling-oriented environmental business Three new initiatives unique to Sumitomo Rubber Industries

Regarding the development plan for the smart tire concept Mr. Yamashita has partially introduced "safety technology" to enhance safety performance and "Enasave technology" to enhance environmental performance. While touching on the examples of commercialization of tires equipped with tires, he says that he will accelerate the development of safer, environmentally friendly and sustainable tires based on LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) in the future. In addition, the plan is to complete all smart tire concept technologies by 2029 and propose two concept tires: pneumatic and airless (no air). From 2030 onwards, all products sold will be equipped with Smart Tire Concept technology.

In addition, in 2013, before the word "sustainable" was used frequently in the world, we introduced that we had already sold the world's first petroleum-free natural resource tires that do not use fossil resources as raw materials. Going forward, we will continue to improve the biomass ratio of raw materials by further advancing this technology, and at the same time increase the ratio of recycled raw materials. wants to contribute to the realization of carbon neutrality. This applies not only to tires, but also to golf balls, tennis balls, and other industrial products.

Concept of smart tire concept Development schedule of smart tire concept Plans for realizing sustainable tires Future plans for products other than tires

Mr. The group aims to reduce emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050." In terms of how to achieve this, it will be essential to switch from the current natural gas energy source for the steam energy used in the tire vulcanization process, while continuing energy-saving activities such as cogeneration and solar power generation that the company has been working on for some time. Explained as a condition. He stated that he decided to use hydrogen, which is drawing attention as a next-generation energy source, as an alternative energy resource.

Since August, we have already started a demonstration experiment at the Shirakawa Factory in Fukushima Prefecture, including support for reconstruction after the earthquake. By 2023, by utilizing solar power generation and hydrogen, all processes of the next generation new construction method "NEO-T01" that adopts three key technologies of "metal core construction method", "fully automatic connection control" and "high rigidity structure" is converted to clean energy, aiming to realize zero CO2 emission tires during manufacturing. After that, it is said that it is considering expanding to the entire factory and eventually to overseas factories.

These CO2 reductions and an increase in the ratio of sustainable raw materials will be applied not only to tires but also to all businesses. At the same time, we will establish our own standards as SSP (Sumitomo Rubber Sustainability Products) and promote contributions to a recycling-oriented society. . In addition, we aim to reduce the amount of plastic used globally by 40% compared to 2019 by 2030.

Schedule for carbon neutralization Overview of plans to use hydrogen fuel at the Shirakawa Factory (Fukushima Prefecture) Initiative policy for activities to reduce the use of plastic materials based on Sumitomo Rubber Industries' own standards for sustainability products Not only in-house activities but also external activities also actively participate

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