From Tire Review
Bridgestone Americas will break ground on construction of its Biorubber Process Research Center, a research and development project in Mesa, Ariz., to investigate the use of the guayule plant as an alternative natural rubber source.
Natural rubber from guayule has almost identical qualities to that harvested from the hevea tree, which currently is the primary source for the natural rubber used in tire production.
The groundbreaking ceremony will take place on May 16.
"We’re thrilled to see our months of planning and hard work come to fruition with next week’s groundbreaking," said Bill Niaura, Bridgestone’s director of new business development. "This significant research investment in the Biorubber Process Research Center marries Bridgestone’s commitment to innovation and its environmental stewardship. Our new, remarkable facility will enable us to work to develop an additional domestic and sustainable source of rubber for our products."
The center will be home to 40 researchers and technicians. The 10-acre site will include an 8,400-square-foot office/lab building, a four-platform, 3,500-square-foot shrub prep building and a 3,100-square-foot mechanical and electrical building. The first rubber samples for tire evaluations are expected in mid-2015.
