Japan's Bridgestone has loaded its Kitakyushu plant at nearly 100% capacity to produce large tires for mining equipment, Nikkei Asia writes. The increase in demand for products weighing up to 6 tons is due to an increase in the production of copper and other metals necessary for the development of data centers and the production of electric vehicles. In 2025, specialty tires accounted for 14% of the company's revenues and 25% of the operating profit, with the sector's profitability reaching 20.1% compared to 10.7% in passenger vehicle tires.

Japan's Bridgestone has loaded its Kitakyushu plant at nearly 100% capacity to produce large tires for mining equipment, Nikkei Asia writes. The increase in demand for products weighing up to 6 tons is due to an increase in the production of copper and other metals necessary for the development of data centers and the production of electric vehicles. In 2025, specialty tires accounted for 14% of the company's revenues and 25% of the operating profit, with the sector's profitability reaching 20.1% compared to 10.7% in passenger vehicle tires.