Michelin buys French inflatable structures startup

Michelin has acquired AirCaptif, a French startup specializing in the field of ultralight inflatable structures for protection and insulation. The move enhances Michelin's sustainable growth strategy and fits the company's aim to grow outside of the tire space.

"In 2030, 20-30 percent of Michelin's revenue will come from activities relating to and beyond the tire," Maude Portigliatti, business director of high-technology materials and member of the Michelin's executive committee, said in a statement.

Michelin, she added, aims to grow in five key areas in order to achieve this revenue goal: services and solutions, sustainable flexible composites, metal 3D printing, hydrogen mobility and materials for regenerative medicine.

"The acquisition of AirCaptif will, therefore, contribute to reaching our goals for growth beyond the tire, and more specifically in the field of flexible composites, by offering extremely innovative products manufactured from high-technology materials," Portigliatti said.

In a Nov. 19 statement, Michelin said AirCaptif's structures are "simple to use and 10 times lighter than steel," featuring a single inflation point for quick and simplified implementation. They can be used in various applications such as aeronautics, medicine, construction and leisure.

On the materials development side, Michelin expects the acquisition to allow for "much faster development of activities on new markets." And while the French company looks to apply AirCaptif's platform and "highly advanced industrial means" to several sectors, Michelin did not elaborate on where or how that vision would take shape.

As it stands, Michelin has a vision to grow the inflatable structures business by expanding into new markets.

"Michelin wants to develop the know-how of AirCaptif beyond France and position itself as the European leader in ultralight, high-technology inflatable structures," Portigliatti said. "For example, inflatable structures for medical use represent an average annual global growth rate of 12 percent. The growth of AirCaptif over the next five years should lead to the creation of approximately 200 jobs."

European Rubber Journal contributed to this article.