NINNA.ID-Do you know that Sumatra is the biggest producer of rubber? Have you ever seen the plantation? One is the most popular is PT. Bridgestone Sumatra Rubber Estate (BSRE) .
PT. Bridgestone Sumatra Rubber Estate is more than just a plantation—it’s a symbol of North Sumatra’s long history with rubber.
From colonial times to becoming part of a global tire company, BSRE shows how local resources connect to the worldwide supply chain of Bridgestone.
The rubber plantation in Dolok Merangir, North Sumatra, began in 1917.
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By 1923, it expanded to Aek Nabara and became one of the largest rubber plantations in the world during the 1930s.
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During World War II (1942–1945), the Japanese army controlled the estate; later, it was taken back by the Dutch, and after Indonesian independence, it returned to Goodyear.
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In 1965, it was nationalized for a short time but then returned to its original owners in 1967.
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Finally, on August 9, 2005, the ownership moved to Bridgestone Corporation, Japan, and the company was renamed PT. Bridgestone Sumatera Rubber Estate (BSRE).
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The Company Today
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BSRE manages rubber plantations and processing.
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The head office is in Dolok Merangir, North Sumatra, with a plantation area of about 18,914 hectares divided into 5 divisions.
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It is a subsidiary of Bridgestone Tire and Rubber Company, one of the world’s largest tire manufacturers.
What They Produce
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The plantation processes latex into crumb rubber with several grades such as SIR 5, SIR 10, SIR 20, SIR 3 CV (50, 60, 70), and SIR 3L.
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All products follow the Indonesian Rubber Standard (SIR).
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The company also has ISO 9002:2000 certification, which proves international quality standards.
Export Market
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Most of the rubber is exported to Japan (ports like Yokohama, Yokoichi, Hakata, and Moji).
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Sales are coordinated by Bridgestone’s regional office in Singapore.
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For the Indonesian market, production is managed through the Bridgestone office in Bogor.
Modern Technology & Production
The production process is carefully managed:
collection → sorting → chopping → cutting → drying → pressing → packing → storing.
The factory uses modern machines such as Pre Breaker, Hammer Mill, Extruder, and Dryer, supported by:
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A quality control laboratory,
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A maintenance workshop,
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And a waste treatment facility to protect the environment.
Safety & Environment
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Worker safety is a top priority, with protective equipment, machine safety, and fire prevention systems.
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Wastewater is treated in six treatment ponds, keeping it safe and within environmental standards.
In Short
PT. Bridgestone Sumatera Rubber Estate is more than just a plantation—it’s a symbol of North Sumatra’s long history with rubber. From colonial times to becoming part of a global tire company, BSRE shows how local resources connect to the worldwide supply chain of Bridgestone.
When you see a Bridgestone tire anywhere in the world, remember: part of its journey may have started here, in North Sumatra.
Writer/Editor: Damayanti Sinaga
