384,400 from the Earth is the planet’s only natural satellite, the Moon. After five decades without manned missions, NASA will send two astronauts in 2025 with the mission of locating the right place to establish a permanent base on the lunar surface. The adventure is full of human and technical challenges. Establishing yourself there is not easy. In order to move, it is essential to deploy a Lunar Land Vehicle (LTV) that can move around its South Pole, where conditions are extreme. This contraption requires a wheel that operates at temperatures above 100 °C and below -240 °C, with sufficient capacity to withstand exposure to solar and galactic radiation, and that guarantees maximum durability and traction on these very rugged soils.
The challenge, at first, sounds like a science fiction plot, but the first prototype of this lunar tire for NASA is already a reality thanks to Michelin. To achieve this, his engineers have turned to 3D printing and biomimicry, a scientific discipline that seeks to implement innovative technological solutions inspired by nature. Its design gives this wheel a high load capacity and, in turn, allows it to adapt to loose terrain and lunar crater areas. A few years earlier, at the end of the 90s, Michelin had already supplied the space shuttle tires, essential for a safe landing of the ship upon returning from its mission.
Michelin is working to ensure that, by 2030, 40% of its raw materials are of vegetable or sustainable origin. By 2050, the percentage must reach 100%
These milestones are the result of the commitment to innovation and the search for technological solutions of a company focused on the quality of its products, which go beyond tires. Its experience and knowledge accumulated over 135 years have made the multinational of French origin a reference that is always at the forefront and committed to the environment.
The tires are, of course, the crown jewel. The brand has (rightly) earned a global reputation for making durable and reliable rubber. To do this, it uses high quality materials and advanced technology in the production of its rubber, which guarantees its resistance to wear and the ability to withstand the most demanding conditions on the road. To achieve this, Michelin carries out thousands of tests each year in laboratories and in real conditions to ensure that they meet the highest performance standards until the end of their useful life.
Tires that save gasoline
Another line of research is related to the development of tires that consume less fuel. The commercialization of more efficient wheels for both cars and trucks has meant, since 1992, a saving of almost 14 million liters of fuel and 35 million fewer tons of CO₂ emitted into the atmosphere. Furthermore, many of these rubbers are made from the reuse of recycled products – yogurt cups or plastic bottles, for example – or by using sustainable materials of natural origin such as sunflower oil, biomass or even pine resin.
In the field of medical research, the company markets biocompatible polymers that can be used to help combat certain types of diseases.
Another of Michelin’s commitments is to reduce, before 2030, the rolling resistance of its tires by 20%. With all these actions, the multinational seeks to increase the safety of vehicles and their users during travel in any season of the year. In fact, right now she is immersed in the design of a prototype wheel that never goes flat, punctures or has air. A new advance that demonstrates the innovation capacity of this manufacturer. To achieve all these products, the brand uses the most disruptive technologies, such as digital twins, artificial intelligence, cloud computing y big datarobotics, augmented reality and 3D printing, among others.
Sustainability is one of the company’s strategic lines: all its activity must be respectful of the environment and maintain safety levels at all times. In other words, the goal is to achieve more durable tires that facilitate less consumption of fuel and natural resources, which translates into a lower impact on the carbon footprint. In this sense, Michelin is working to ensure that, by 2030, 40% of its raw materials are of vegetable or sustainable origin. By 2050, the percentage must reach 100%. Another of its commitments is to reduce CO₂ emissions by 50% in its production processes in 2030, and for all its factories to be carbon neutral by 2050.
All these technological advances related to tires have made it easier for Michelin to create high-tech materials for a multitude of applications that have little or nothing to do with the asphalt of the road. His experience in mixing and finding very resistant chemical components has allowed him to develop materials and products designed to last in very different environments. An example is the Wisamo (Wing Sail Mobility) project, the French company’s proposal to decarbonize maritime transport. This invention is based on a sail made of a light and resistant fabric that is inflated using fans and can be adapted to all types of merchant ships. Wind propulsion makes it possible to reduce the ship’s fossil fuel consumption by up to 20% and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These types of innovative solutions are essential to achieve a transition towards a cleaner and more sustainable future in the field of transportation.
The tire giant is designing a vehicle that competes on the legendary French circuit of Le Mans with an electric motor powered by hydrogen, an energy vector that can play a determining role in the mobility of the future.
Another example of the versatility of Michelin’s knowledge is its participation in health technology through Solesis, a firm specialized in biomaterials for the health sector. Michelin markets biocompatible polymers that can be used to help combat certain types of diseases. Or the production of fuel cells generated from hydrogen, both for cars and trucks. Currently, the tire giant is designing a vehicle that competes on the legendary French circuit of Le Mans with an electric motor powered by hydrogen, an energy vector that can play a determining role in the mobility of the future.
In short, Michelin develops a multitude of technological proposals aimed at strengthening the circular economy and the conservation of natural resources, reducing carbon emissions and moving towards a future full of opportunities in which safety and sustainability go hand in hand.