Michelin Scoops Two GreenFleet Awards

Michelin picked up two prizes at the 7th annual Greenfleet Awards yesterday. The Stoke-on-Trent based company won tyre manufacturer of the year (the runner-up was Bandvulc Tyres) and the Industry Innovation award. The 2006 GreenFleet awards were held on 11th October at Arsenal football club’s new Emirates stadium. The awards recognise local authorities, manufacturers and innovators for their efforts to reduce the environmental impact of transport. Around 500 guests saw racing driver and TV personality Tiff Needell present the awards in 25 different categories.

This second of the two awards was for Michelin’s “green tyre”, introduced in 1992 with a silica-based tread compound that reduces rolling resistance and improves fuel consumption. The concept has been refined and improved, with the latest product – the Primacy HP – offering a two per cent reduction in fuel consumption, as well as lasting longer. In addition to saving the fleet operator money, fuel-efficient and longer-lasting tyres help reduce raw material consumption.

The Primacy HP was also instrumental in netting the tyre manufacturer prize for Michelin, after tests in Germany by the TUV showed that the tyre now provides 25 per cent longer tread life and up to 54 per cent more mileage.

As runner-up, Bandvulc Tyres was commended for its contribution to preservation of resources, with each remoulded tyre saving 68 litres of oil and 44kg of rubber compound. Bandvulc’s production exceeds 3,500 tyres a week.

In addition to winning two awards, Michelin sponsored the “car Manufacturer of the year” category, which was won by PSA Peugeot Citroen for the company’s commitment to using vegetable oils as biofuel.