Corporate News

Sumitomo Rubber Receives "Eco-First Company" Certification
=We continue to work hard to protect the natural environment as industry leader=

2009.03.12

March 9, 2009, Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. pledged its Eco-First Commitment to the Minister of the Environment and received "Eco-First Company" certification in recognition of its group's efforts on environmental conservation based on the "Eco-First Program" established by the Ministry of the Environment.

We place environment protection as the top priority in corporate management, contribute to building of a sustainable society and aim to earn a trust from the society. We send a corporate message "for you, for the earth" this year and continue to engage in various activities including the following three pledged as our "Eco-First Commitment."

Sumitomo Rubber's "Eco-First Commitment"

1. Take active steps to curb global warming
   We will reduce CO₂ emissions to less than 58% in 2010 compared to 1990 by shifting our fuel from heavy oil to natural gas, introducing co-generation system, promoting energy saving activities by all employees, etc.
2. Make active contribution to formation of recycle-oriented society
   We successfully reduced the amount of reclaimed waste to less than 1% at all our factories both at home and abroad in March 2008 and will make it zero for all factories in 2010.
3. Do active development of eco-friendly tires with pioneer technologies
   Utilizing our unique computer simulation, we will develop ultimate eco-tire of 100% free of fossil resources and fuel-efficient tire whose rolling resistance is reduced by 50% for launch in 2013 and in 2015, respectively.

We celebrate a centennial anniversary this year. Taking this opportunity, we will strengthen our activities as the industry leader in environment towards the next 100 years.

Eco-First Program

A system in which industry-leading companies further advance their environmental protection activities by pledging to the Minister of the Environment their commitment to the achievement of the Kyoto Protocol including their approach to global arming, as well as their own company's approach to environmental protection. Companies that make the pledge to the Minister of the Environment are permitted to use the "Eco-First Mark" on condition they comply with the conditions of certification.