On July 13, Michelin achieved a significant milestone in sustainable innovation by receiving the prestigious AutomotiveINNOVATIONS Award 2023 in the ‘Chassis, Car Body & Exterior’ category. The renowned award, presented by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and the Centre of Automotive Management (CAM), recognized Michelin’s ground-breaking road-approved car tires, which contain an impressive 45% sustainable materials. This achievement reflects Michelin’s commitment to revolutionizing the automotive industry with environmentally friendly solutions.
Michelin’s approach to sustainable materials stands out due to its clear and stringent definition. For Michelin, sustainable materials are those that are either recycled or renewable over the span of a human lifetime. Acknowledging the lack of a standard definition in the tire industry, Michelin aims to encourage industry-wide consensus on what truly qualifies as a sustainable material.
Michelin’s vision for sustainable materials reaches far beyond a single product or limited product range. The company is determined to extend its sustainability strategy across all its products, necessitating significant transformations in methods, tools, and industrial processes. This ambitious endeavour also involves creating new sectors and value chains, showcasing Michelin’s dedication to reshaping the design and production of its products to benefit the environment. 
Recognizing the rapid pace of sustainable materials innovation, Michelin has embarked on strategic partnerships to expedite the development of ground-breaking technologies, particularly in transformation and recycling. Collaborations with organizations like Pyrowave, Carbios, Enviro, IFPEN/Axens, ADEME, and several European partners supported by the EU demonstrate Michelin’s commitment to pioneering sustainability advancements in the tire industry.
Michelin adopts a comprehensive 360° approach to address all aspects of tire production’s environmental impact. Their approach analyses the tire life cycle, from the selection of raw materials to recycling solutions, under the overarching principles of eco-design. This all-encompassing strategy aims to optimize sustainability at every stage, including design, manufacturing, transportation, usage, and end-of-life.
The award-winning tire, introduced in 2022, contains 45% sustainable materials and foreshadows the technologies that will become standard in tires by 2025. This significant milestone brings Michelin closer to its ultimate goal of producing tires made entirely of sustainable materials, targeting 100% sustainability by 2050. To achieve this vision, Michelin has set an interim target of 40% sustainable materials by 2030, showcasing their commitment to making a positive impact on global production and promoting the exclusive use of renewable or recycled materials.
Michelin’s relentless pursuit of sustainability exemplifies their capacity for innovation and dedication to fulfilling their environmental commitments. With their ground-breaking car tire, Michelin sets a shining example for the automotive industry’s future, demonstrating that sustainable practices can drive progress and lead the way towards a greener and more responsible future. 
