Michelin Aims to Launch Wood-based Tire in 2020

Michelin & Cie plans to introduce a tire within two years that uses elastomers derived from wood chips in place of petroleum-based oil.

The French company is developing the technology, which would use the waste generated by the wood industry, at “sustainable plantation” centers in Brazil. In addition to environmental benefits, wood-based tires promise lower production costs and allow for local-sourcing for global manufacturing operations, company officials tell carsales.com.au.

Michelin expects just 20% of a tire’s composition to come from petroleum-based materials in 2048, says Cyrille Roget, the company’s director of scientific and innovation communication. This compares with about 80% today.

The company also is working on 3D-printed replacement treads that would allow tires to be used throughout a vehicle’s life. Michelin is partnering with AddUp, which the tiremaker spun-off as a separate business a few years ago, to develop the technology.

Describing the project as being in the early phase of development, Roget says it will be at least 10 years before 3D tire treads are commercialized. But he envisions public charging stations for electric vehicles eventually to have 3D printers that would allow motorists to quickly change worn treads as needed.