GRANITEVILLE, SC—Bridgestone’s factory here has become the first tire manufacturing facility in America to earn the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS recognition for its use of sustainable raw materials to replace synthetic rubber.

President Joe Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) into law on Aug. 16. The law is a major accomplishment for Democrats, who have been struggling for months to pass Biden’s ambitious social and climate policies, as well as his vision to raise taxes on the rich. 

STUTTGART, Germany—Mercedes-Benz is using plastic made from used tires and agricultural waste to make components for new vehicles.

HO CHI MINH CITY, Viet Nam—The LEGO Group will plant 50,000 trees in Vietnam over the next three years in an effort to offset the environmental impact of its new factory in Binh Duong province. Construction of the factory is set to begin in November.

VÉNISSIEUX, France—Renault Trucks has opened a new Used Parts Factory here with a dedicated disassembly line for its heavy-duty vehicles sold in Europe.

Electrification isn’t the only paradigm shift transforming the automotive manufacturing landscape today. Sustainability is also forcing companies to rethink traditional production models. A new initiative involving some of the auto industry’s biggest players will affect the global supply chain.

ATLANTA—Porsche Cars North America Inc. (PCNA) has signed a contract with Cherry Street Energy LLC, the largest non-utility provider of solar energy in Georgia, to build and operate a solar power microgrid at the company’s headquarters and customer experience center here.

CASSINETTA, Italy—Whirlpool Corp.’s assembly plant has become a zero waste to landfill facility a year ahead of schedule, and it reduced its carbon emissions by 38 percent in just four years. The appliance manufacturer is aiming for carbon neutrality at all of its 54 sites around the world by 2030.

HANOVER, Germany—Continental is using polyester yarn made from recycled plastic bottles for high-volume production of tires.

HERNDON, VA—Volkswagen Group of America Inc. and Redwood Materials Inc. are collaborating to create a supply chain to recycle Volkswagen and Audi electric vehicle batteries in the United States.