Michelin Investing $6.8 Million to Lower Rolling Resistance

Legislation, environmental concerns and the spiralling cost of fuel is placing an ever-increasing pressure on vehicle and components manufacturers to make their products less polluting and more fuel efficient. Tyre manufacturers are not exempt from this broad-based demand, and to keep ahead of the game Michelin is investing US$6.8 million into a research and development project focusing on further improving vehicle fuel economy by reducing tyre rolling resistance. The funds will support the company’s US based research efforts in South Carolina and include a $1.9 million research contract with Clemson University and its International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR). The work, says Michelin, will begin immediately and have a three-year duration.

The project is to be spearheaded by Michelin Americas Research Company (MARC), and this body will conduct much of the work internally. Clemson University was selected following what Michelin describes as a “competitive bid process” between several leading universities. Clemson will conduct a significant proportion of the research, engaging the talents of more than 20 professors, graduate and undergraduate students.

The aim of the Michelin project is to develop new generations of tyres, new manufacturing processes, new materials and improved modelling and simulation tools for use in automotive applications. It will fund a suite of technologies that Michelin anticipates will allow it to release better, more advanced products onto the market. “The eyes of the transportation industry are fixed squarely on the upstate of South Carolina,” said Jim Micali, chairman and president of Michelin North America. “We believe that the future – not only of the automotive industry but also of transportation and mobility – lies in the imaginations and hands of these researchers searching for ways to improve fuel economy and overall mobility. We are excited to see what lies ahead, and we’re proud to further invest in South Carolina.”

Since 1992, compared to conventional tyres on the road, the 570 million Michelin green energy saving tyres sold worldwide have reduced fuel consumption by an estimated 9 billion litres, reports the French manufacturer. This has resulted in a CO2 emission reduction of more than 22.5 million tonnes, the equivalent of the amount absorbed by 880 million trees in one year. This means that each second approximately 45 litres of fuel are saved and 110 kilograms of CO2 are not released into the atmosphere.

“Michelin continues to lead the way in reducing tyre-related fuel consumption and CO2 emissions and this particular research effort is only a small part of that overall effort,” said David Stafford, COO of Michelin Americas Research Company. “With this latest research investment, our brightest minds and most talented engineers are rolling up their sleeves to make a difference in tyre performance. Their work will save consumers money at the pump, help improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”

Tyres account for up to 20 per cent of the energy needed to operate a car. For commercial vehicles the figure can be closer to 30 per cent. Michelin allocates almost 4 per cent of its annual net global sales to research and development, and in October 2007 announced plans to study further means by which tyre-related energy consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced. Those plans include reducing tyre rolling resistance by one half.