The project follows Bridgestone (China) Investment Co., Ltd.’s commitment, announced in November 2024, to expand its investment in high-end passenger car tire production in cooperation with Wuxi High-Tech Zone. The company plans to invest approximately RMB 562 million in China over the next three years.
According to the environmental approval document, the Wuxi plant will introduce 3 tire-forming machines, 9 laser cleaning units, 8 sponge attachment machines, and 2 external marking devices. The six-month technical renovation will not change the current annual capacity of 7.78 million radial tires but will significantly improve efficiency, product structure, and automation, while enhancing tire noise reduction performance.
Focus on Automation and Green Production
Through the upgrade, Bridgestone aims to optimize product weight and specifications while raising automation levels in the tire forming process. The company will modify rubber compounding formulas to reduce carbon black use and increase eco-friendly materials such as silica, phenolic resin, and sulfur, thereby minimizing environmental impact.
Additionally, the expansion of laser cleaning and sponge attachment processes will further improve tire noise reduction. For quality control, the company will also introduce a gasoline-based solvent stripping process for defective tires, ensuring production consistency and compliance.
Strengthening High-End Market Competitiveness
The technical upgrade aligns with Bridgestone’s broader global strategy to strengthen its presence in China’s premium passenger tire segment. The Wuxi facility—already one of the company’s key Asian production bases—will play a vital role in supporting domestic demand and exports to regional markets.
By integrating digital production technologies and sustainable materials, Bridgestone continues to deepen its localization and innovation efforts, reinforcing its competitive edge within China’s rapidly evolving automotive manufacturing ecosystem.
[Source – 上海有色网] 外企加码中国 增加高端乘用胎强劲竞争力 https://news.smm.cn/news/103615750
