Michelin is committed to ensuring that all tire components are ultimately sustainable. To achieve this, Michelin is leveraging its advanced technological maturity in high-tech materials and its own technology incubator.
One example among many is the Group’s plan to produce butadiene from biomass (waste wood, rice husks, corn stover, etc.) to replace butadiene derived from petroleum. Butadiene is a key component in the synthetic rubbers used to make tires. In addition, many other projects are already underway to regenerate plastic (PET), recycle polystyrene or recover carbon black from used tires.
Michelin has also undertaken to use as little material as possible in its tires in order to maximize performance and efficiency. The aim is to limit the impact of tires on the planet’s resources and improve their rolling resistance, thereby lowering CO2 emissions.
To meet Michelin’s goal of producing 100% sustainable tires, natural rubber – which is still the main material used in tire manufacturing – must also be produced responsibly. Michelin rapidly committed to making the sector environmentally responsible and beneficial to all stakeholders.
Beyond the many different materials, the excellence of MICHELIN tires is also down to complex assembly and unique manufacturing processes.