By 2050, all Michelin tires will be made from renewable, recycled, biosourced, or otherwise sustainable materials.
Today, nearly 30% of components used in Michelin tires are from sustainable sources.
Michelin Group is a premier tire manufacturer that has established itself as a provider of some of the best high- and ultra-high-performance tires in the world. The company now intends to become 100% sustainable by 2050. They are not going at it alone, however.
Michelin reminds us that tires are comprised of more than 200 ingredients. Obviously, the main one is natural rubber however they also include synthetic rubber, metal, fibers, and components that strengthen a tire’s structure, like carbon black, silica, and plasticizers (resins, etc.). Today, nearly 30% of these materials are sourced from natural, recycled, or otherwise sustainable raw materials.
By 2050, Michelin says 100% of the ingredients will come from sustainable sources. They will achieve this goal thanks to partnerships with Axens and IFP Energies Nouvelles, the two companies that are spearheading the BioButterfly project. The latter aims to replace petroleum-based butadiene using the biomass from wood, rice husks, leaves, corn stalks, and other plant waste.
Michelin Vision Tire | Photo: Michelin
As well, Michelin established a collaboration with Canada-based Pyrowave to produce recycled styrene from plastics found in packaging, like yogurt pots and food trays. Styrene is an important monomer used to manufacture not only polystyrene but also synthetic rubber for tires.
Among other joint ventures, Michelin has announced that it will launch the construction of its first tire recycling plant in the world with Swedish company Enviro.
