Michelin Target 2048

Michelin announced its plan at Movin'On 2018 to recycle all of its tyres and prepare new ones from sustainable materials by 2048. It is an ambitious and commendable step by Michelin towards environmental well-being, considering they currently make their tyres from 28% sustainable materials. The presently used sustainable materials consist of around 26% of bio-based materials like natural rubber and sunflower oil and rest 2% consists of recycled components such as steel and powdered tyres.

Michelin aims to achieve this target by investing in research programmes focused on the production of synthetic elastomers from biomass such as straw, beet, and wood. A research program known as the Biobutterfly program was initiated in 2012, partnered with Axens and IFP Energy Nouvelles for production of these synthetic elastomers.

Moreover, the tyre company aims to increase the use of recycled materials from 2% to 30% by 2048. To achieve this, they recently acquired Lehigh Technologies, specialising in manufacturing hi-tech micronised rubber powders (MRP) obtained from recycled tyres. The MRP is aimed to replace the use of oil and rubber in the manufacturing process of tyres and reduce the cost of raw materials massively by 50%. The applications where it could replace oil and rubber are tyres, plastics, sealants, coatings, construction materials, consumer goods, and asphalt. Michelin aspires to promote the use of innovative recycled materials obtained from tyres in various non-pneumatic industrial domains.

The World Business Council, in 2018, estimated that 70% of the 1 billion tyres manufactured worldwide, reaching the end of their rolling life, are recovered. 50% of these tyres are recycled to be used in products such as sports surfaces and shoe soles; whereas rest of the 20% is converted into energy. Compare this with other industries; you'll find that the recycling rate of the car industry is 3.5% and plastic container/packages manufacturing sector is 14%.

With an aim to make tyres 100% recyclable by 2048, Michelin is looking to partner up with new organisations that can help identify new applications for the recycling of tyres. Hackathon was organised in 2017 by Michelin, partnered with Alliapur, to brainstorm possible solutions. The winner was “Black Pillow” that proposed use of tyre granulates to create urban furniture.

So what are the potential benefits that may arise, should Michelin achieve its target? The amount of financial savings made can be equated to:

33 million barrels of oil used per year.

Energy consumption of one month in France.

65 billion kilometres traversed by a Sedan annually.

54 km distance covered by covers across the world; estimating there are 1.2 billion cars worldwide.

Michelin announced its VISION Concept at Movin'On last year. As per this concept, advanced materials and 3D printing technologies will be used to manufacture new tyres that are 100% recyclable. The features of the tyre designed using VISION concept are:

The tyre is airless and is prepared from bio-sourced and recyclable materials.

The ecosystem within the tyre will provide servicing advice to the car owners/drivers.

The biodegradable tread can be renewed with the 3D printer.

Reduced environmental footprint upon use.

Find Michelin Tyres Wolverhampton at AutoSureFit Garage!

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