QCOSTARICA — Bridgestone Costa Rica takes a significant step towards sustainability with the inauguration of two new electric boilers at its tire production plant in Belén, Heredia and the Firestone Airide plant located in the free zone in Turrialba, dedicated to the manufacture of air suspension solutions.
Both business units had the advice of the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE) – State power company – during the installation phase of what will be the first electric boilers with electrode technology for the company in Latin America.
The use of high-tech electro-intensive equipment that uses clean electric energy from the national grid will replace traditional fossil fuel-based technology, allowing for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the improvement of energy efficiency in production processes.
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The installation of these electric boilers is part of Bridgestone’s global sustainability strategy that seeks to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. It is also a reflection of Bridgestone’s vision and its firm commitment to minimize its environmental footprint and maximize operational efficiency, promoting healthier environments for current and future generations.
“We understand that sustainability is not only a priority, but a strategic imperative. The investment in these technologies exceeds US$4 million dollars, which reflects our ongoing commitment to continue evolving to Serve Society with Superior Quality. We are confident that the new electric boilers will allow us to optimize our processes, reduce environmental impact and continue leading the transformation towards a cleaner and more sustainable future,” said Pablo Jiménez, manufacturing director of Bridgestone Costa Rica.
For his part, Marco Acuña, president of Grupo ICE, indicated that “We provide technical support in a joint effort. We promote projects that promote the transition to renewability. Costa Rica is a world leader in clean generation, and the Institute aims to decarbonize the economy with a triple bottom line approach.”
With the incorporation and use of these electric boilers, both Bridgestone Costa Rica and ICE are consolidating their position as leaders in innovation and sustainability in the country.
Benefits of electric boilers
- Lower operating and maintenance costs.
- High availability and increased steam productivity.
- Minimization of accident risks.
- 50% reduction in energy consumption of peripheral equipment.
- 75% reduction in space requirements.
With the implementation of this boiler, the company aims to reduce 8,000 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent, just in the Belén plant. This equipment was joined by another boiler installed by the same company in its Firestone Airide branch, located in the canton of Turrialba, province of Cartago, which will begin operating in November.
“Costa Rica is located in one of the most vulnerable regions in the world in the face of climate change, in Central America. Therefore, in a scheme of co-responsibility that involves the public and private sectors, multilateral organizations and civil society, it is crucial to join forces to ensure sustainable development. Having a partner like Bridgestone to address these challenges is undoubtedly essential to continue standing out as a country that, despite enjoying a solid reputation in conservation, continues to move forward and will always seek to strengthen its actions in mitigating environmental impact,” stressed the Minister of Environment and Energy (MINAE), Franz Tattenbach.
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Bridgestone not only focuses on innovating internally; but also on sustainability through initiatives such as Llantatón, which has collected and processed 870 tons of tires in eight years, avoiding environmental pollution; and reforestation with local communities to restore natural areas. Its plant in Belén was recognized by MINAE in the “Carbon Reduction” category for its efforts to reduce CO2 emissions in 2023, and has maintained the Ecological Blue Flag certification for more than a decade, as has the Turrialba plant. Both facilities have ISO certifications in environmental and energy management.
With these actions, Bridgestone reinforces its E8 Commitment corporate commitment to sustainable development, ensuring that every step in its operations is aligned with the eight values that begin with the letter “E” in English (Energy, Ecology, Efficiency, Extension, Economy, Emotion, Ease, Empowerment) and its purpose of generating value for society and the environment. The company will continue to invest in innovative technologies that promote cleaner production processes and contribute to a greener and healthier future for all.
The company that is known today as Bridgestone Costa Rica began in 1967 in the province of Heredia, under the name Firestone de Costa Rica. When it was founded, this company had 200 employees, who produced 425 tires a day.
In 2009, the company changed its name to Bridgestone de Costa Rica, signaling a period of rapid growth and increased productivity, with 1,850 employees and produces more than 10,000 tires every day.
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From its Costa Rica headquarters and plant, the company covers the Central American
and Caribbean markets a wide range of tire models and categories.
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