NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Bridgestone Americas was recently recognized with a 2015 Edison Gold Award for Innovation in Automotive Solutions. The award was presented during a ceremony and gala dinner, held April 23 in New York. 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 for the company’s innovative work with guayule as a 2015 Edison Gold Award winner.
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, Bridgestone states.
