Bridgestone to support 1,00,000 rubber farmers in Kerala

19 Oct 2023 CW Team

In collaboration with the Netherlands-based NGO Solidaridad, Bridgestone India launched "UNNATI" a Sustainable Natural Rubber Initiative," a visionary project aimed at driving positive change within the rubber industry.

The initiative aims to promote a sustainable supply chain of natural rubber while enhancing the livelihoods of 5,000 smallholder rubber farmers. Moreover, it seeks to build capacities for 95,000 smallholder farmers in better rubber cultivation over a span of 4.5 years, commencing from 1st October 2022.

The program will involve various elements, including sustainable practices, community development, capacity building and Research and development.

This unprecedented move underscores Bridgestone's commitment to sustainable sourcing and community development, while also fostering a positive impact on the livelihoods of local rubber farmers.

"We are excited to partner with the smallholder farmers to facilitate mutual learning that would help elevate their practices, enhance the quality of rubber production, thereby improving livelihoods and contributing to the growth of the local economy. This initiative is born from our commitment to the environment and communities we serve, and we look forward to further seeing the improvement it brings." said Stefano Sanchini, Managing Director Bridgestone India.

The project is aligned with the guidelines of Rubber Board of India's essential topics such as field establishment, nutrient management, pest and disease control, latex harvest technology, wastewater management, and occupational health and safety.

The implementation of Project Unnati will be spearheaded by Solidaridad Regional Expertise Centre (SREC), a registered not-for-profit trust with a mission to eliminate poverty through sustainable production practices. "We are excited to partner with Bridgestone India on this transformative initiative," Through our collaborative efforts, we aim to build capacities, improve livelihoods, and create lasting positive impact for rubber farmers in Kerala, said Monica Khanna, Country Manager, India SREC. Solidaridad.

Bridgestone India, part of Bridgestone Corporation, a global leader in tyres and sustainable mobility solutions, today announced a commitment to adopt and support one lakh smallholder rubber farmers in Idukki and Kottayam districts in Kerala. In collaboration with the Netherlands-based NGO Solidaridad, Bridgestone India launched UNNATI a Sustainable Natural Rubber Initiative, a visionary project aimed at driving positive change within the rubber industry. The initiative aims to promote a sustainable supply chain of natural rubber while enhancing the livelihoods of 5,000 smallholder rubber farmers. Moreover, it seeks to build capacities for 95,000 smallholder farmers in better rubber cultivation over a span of 4.5 years, commencing from 1st October 2022. The program will involve various elements, including sustainable practices, community development, capacity building and Research and development. This unprecedented move underscores Bridgestone's commitment to sustainable sourcing and community development, while also fostering a positive impact on the livelihoods of local rubber farmers. We are excited to partner with the smallholder farmers to facilitate mutual learning that would help elevate their practices, enhance the quality of rubber production, thereby improving livelihoods and contributing to the growth of the local economy. This initiative is born from our commitment to the environment and communities we serve, and we look forward to further seeing the improvement it brings. said Stefano Sanchini, Managing Director Bridgestone India. The project is aligned with the guidelines of Rubber Board of India's essential topics such as field establishment, nutrient management, pest and disease control, latex harvest technology, wastewater management, and occupational health and safety. The implementation of Project Unnati will be spearheaded by Solidaridad Regional Expertise Centre (SREC), a registered not-for-profit trust with a mission to eliminate poverty through sustainable production practices. We are excited to partner with Bridgestone India on this transformative initiative, Through our collaborative efforts, we aim to build capacities, improve livelihoods, and create lasting positive impact for rubber farmers in Kerala, said Monica Khanna, Country Manager, India SREC. Solidaridad.

Real Estate

23 Sep 2025

Hyderabad Financial District Evolves into a City Within a City

The Financial District in Hyderabad is rapidly transforming into more than just a business hub—it is evolving into a “city within a city,” a compact ecosystem where work, home, education, healthcare, and lifestyle coexist seamlessly. This vision was reinforced at a press conference hosted by ASBL, where data and insights highlighted why the Financial District has become one of India’s most resilient and future-ready real estate markets. Over the past four years, rental appreciation has consistently outpaced the city average, underlining genuine demand. In FY 2024–25 alone, 3BHK ..

Real Estate

23 Sep 2025

TOTO Expands Bathroom Portfolio in India

TOTO India has expanded its product portfolio with the launch of season-inspired basins, premium faucets, and a new water-efficient WC range. The new additions reflect the brand’s philosophy of combining Japanese craftsmanship, technology, and design with sustainable living. The season-themed basins, enhanced with TOTO’s CEFIONTECT glaze, are offered in four shades—Forest Green, Mandarin Orange, Scarlet Red, and Ash Blue—each inspired by a season. Complementing these are faucets in Rose Gold and Graphite finishes, crafted with PVD technology for durability and manufactured using p..

Infrastructure Energy

23 Sep 2025

India Sees 1 per cent Drop in Power Sector CO₂ Emissions

India’s carbon dioxide emissions from the power sector fell by 1 per cent year-on-year in the first half of 2025, marking only the second decline in nearly 50 years, according to a research report. The reduction was largely driven by record clean-energy capacity additions and lower electricity demand due to unusually mild weather, the analysis by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) for Carbon Brief found.The Helsinki-based think tank attributed 65 per cent of the decline in fossil-fuel generation to slower demand growth, 20 per cent to faster expansion of clean energy, and..