Bridgestone 2013 Annual Report Download - page 12

10 Bridgestone Corporation
The solutions business using retread tires contributes
to improving total life and fuel efciency by integrating
new tires, retread tires, and maintenance. The Group is
developing “Bandag Retread Factory” outlets that offer
integrated manufacturing, service, and sales of retread
tires at more locations globally. In addition, the Group is
also developing an “Eco Value Pack,” which contributes to
environmental conservation, cost optimization, and safe
operation domestically.
The Group established a new technology center for
R&D in Bangkok, Thailand, as the Asia Pacic region is one
of the major markets expected to grow. Transferring R&D
functions to the new technology center enables the
Group to reect market information in a timely manner.
Enhancing the Group’s technical support system enables
the Group to provide high-quality tires that reect local
customer needs.
As for new technology for the future, the Group
enhanced the load-bearing capacity, travelling
performance, and low-rolling-resistance of the “air free
concept (non-pneumatic tire),” which the Group
introduced in November 2011; this technology is intended
to achieve even higher levels of environmental friendliness
and safety. The Company delivered a presentation at “The
43rd Tokyo Motor Show 2013” for this new technology.
Further, the Company advanced the cyclical use of
resources and increased the utilization of recyclable
resources by continuously moving ahead with the
technical development of materials.
Diversied products business
In the diversied products business, the Group continues
to strengthen its product lineups in key operational elds.
At the same time, the Group is managing R&D activities
with the objective of providing products that meet
constantly changing needs and foster customer satisfaction.
Regarding rubber used in the seismic isolation of
buildings, which prevents building collapse and damage
by earthquakes, the Group developed a low-elasticity
type that is utilized for low- and medium-storied
buildings. Additionally the Group launched the high-
damping rubber bearings layer series “HDR-X0.4R.”
The Group increased the variation of the size for “plug
insertion-type laminated rubber with iron powder / rubber
admixture,” intending to reduce the environmental
burden through development and use of attenuation
materials that replace lead. This provides more options to
customers in designing the details, such as sizes, to reect
customer needs.
As for resins that are used for pipes in residential cold
and hot water supply systems, the Group substantially
reduced undesirable winding of pipes in comparison to
other offerings of the Group. Additionally, the Group was
able to reduce the resistance that can occur at the time
of inserting sheath pipes, which has contributed to
shortening overall working hours and lessening the
workload of water supply workers. “Rakuraku Pipe”
(straight-coiled polybutylene pipes) that adopted this
technology is performing well in the eld and received
the “2013 Good Design Award,” which is sponsored by
the Japan Institute of Design Promotion.
Research and Development
“Rakuraku Pipe” resin coating
system for water supply pipes
(straight-coiled polybutylene pipes)
High-damping rubber bearings
layer series “HDR-X0.4R”
Damping material
Iron powder
Highly viscous material
Natural rubber
Inner steel plate