Clermont-Ferrand, France — Tire giant Michelin is aiming to add recycled PET to its tires by as early as 2024 as part of a drive to solve society's plastic problem.
Michelin claims the recycling processes it is developing have the potential to recycle 4 billion PET bottles into raw materials that can be used in reinforcing fibers for tires.
By 2050, Michelin tires should be completely sustainable, using raw materials such as recycled PET.
"In one tire, we can process up to 143 yogurt cups and around 12.5 PET bottles with the high-tech recycling processes," Anish Taneja, CEO of Michelin Europe North, said ahead of the German transportation mobility show IAA, which runs through Sept. 21 in Munich.
In a symbolic gesture, Michelin is conducting a plastics collection campaign in Munich, with the participation of its top management and employees.
"Together, the company wants to create awareness that today's garbage will become a valuable resource for tomorrow's tires," the tiremaker said.
As part of its sustainability commitment, Michelin has set a target of incorporating into its tires 40 percent sustainable materials, such as natural rubber or sunflower oil, by 2030.
At the IAA, the Clermont-Ferrand-based tiremaker has set up a "Regen'Lab," where visitors can see recycling processes and how raw materials for new tires are obtained from wood, PET plastic or packaging waste.
Michelin also is premiering its Uptis airless tire/wheel hybrid on the road in Munich during the IAA show.
The tire, which originally was unveiled in 2019, has been developed in partnership with General Motors Co. and is set for commercial launch by 2024.