Sustainable Rubber

We are committed to producing sustainable natural rubber and working with local farmers to diversify the world’s rubber supply.

teammate collecting rubber from rubber tree

About Natural Rubber Harvesting

Natural rubber is a renewable resource providing livelihood for millions of people around the world. Although rubber is a key ingredient in many products, 70% of the world’s natural rubber consumption is used in tire production.

Supporting Local Liberian Farmers

Firestone Natural Rubber supports farmers through best-in-class training and techniques to ensure the future of the country’s natural rubber industry. We provide ongoing farm advisory assistance, farm supplies, materials at cost, and other support to the Liberian rubber industry.

In an effort to help revitalize the country’s natural rubber industry devastated by the prolonged civil wars, Firestone provided 5.6 million free natural rubber stumps (planting material) to 2,100 Liberian rubber farmers. At an estimated cost of USD $2 million, this assistance resulted in the replanting of approximately 25,000 acres of rubber trees by private Liberian rubber farmers.

Global Commitment to Natural Rubber

Bridgestone and its affiliated companies take a broad approach to natural rubber sustainability, addressing not only deforestation, but land and water use, labor rights, and water quality. In February 2018, the Bridgestone Group launched its Global Sustainable Procurement Policy that serves as the framework to achieve our goal of products made of 100% sustainable materials by 2050. Firestone Liberia has rolled out a new strategic plan with a vision to be “the future of Sustainable Natural Rubber”. Firestone’s goal is to be the #1 supplier of sustainable natural rubber. This vision and mission come with targets that Firestone Liberia needs to achieve as it drives towards becoming the #1 supplier of sustainable natural rubber.