Bridgestone Group says that as of March, 98% of the company’s tier 1 tire material suppliers have acknowledged its 2017 procurement policy, and that the majority are in the process of completing third-party assessments. The auto parts manufacturer says policy, training, supplier acknowledgements and third-party assessments are helping move the company toward its sustainable procurement goals.

Bridgestone’s procurement policy proclaims that the company will use 100% sustainable materials by 2050; the company began working with CSR evaluation provider EcoVadis in 2018 to assess its suppliers’ existing sustainability practices. In 2019, Bridgestone will focus on reviewing the findings from EcoVadis’ assessments, to address immediate concerns, and to expand on its strategy for best practices in supply chain sustainability and transparency.

Industry experts have projected that tire demand will expand along with global population growth and subsequent motorization, Bridgestone says in its procurement policy, adding, “Natural rubber consumption also is expected to increase globally, making the realization of a sustainable natural rubber supply chain a business imperative.”

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