MICHELIN, a polymer expert
Inspired by its passion for science and technological progress, Michelin has always been interested in materials. Through its quest for breakthrough innovations to meet environmental challenges and achieve its sustainable growth goals, Michelin has developed cutting-edge expertise in polymers.
From the infinitely small to engineered polymers
Growth in these activities is largely organic, thanks in particular to technologies developed by our R&D teams.
Our expertise in polymers opens the door for our work on the breakthrough innovations required to tackle the major environmental and societal challenges facing our world. We want to leverage our unique know-how for high-potential applications beyond mobility.
Non-toxic adhesive resins
Under the ResiCare brand, Michelin is developing a new generation of innovative resins that are free of formaldehyde, isocyanate, and resorcinol. The ResiCare brand aims to combine high performance, non-toxic formulations, and renewable materials to market products that are better for people and the environment. Since 2020, its technology has been deployed worldwide for rubber reinforcement textile applications, including tires.
Since February 2021, the wood panel manufacturer Allin has been marketing R’PLY, the first eco-friendly plywood to use a ResiCare resin. In November 2023, the ResiCare teams announced that, as part of their partnership with IPF Energies Nouvelles, they had jointly developed a fructose-based production process for the molecule 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF), which is used for biobased resin production. With this announcement, ResiCare confirmed that biobased, non-toxic chemistry is feasible on an industrial scale.
A new generation of composite reinforcements
Michelin is working on the development of new composite reinforcements.
AraNea fibers, applied to concrete construction, offer a sustainable, environmentally-friendly alternative to metal reinforcements, reducing CO2 emissions by up to 50%.
4 times lighter than steel and non-corroding, AraNea fibers enable slimmer, more aesthetic and structural constructions, whatever the type of concrete.
Biomaterials for the health care industry
With Solesis, which joined the Group in 2018, Michelin operates in the field of biocompatible materials for implants and regenerative medicine. By opening up the capital of Solesis to the investment fund Altaris in 2021, Michelin crossed a new milestone to ramp up its development in the medical sector, where the most attractive markets offer potential growth of between 10 and 30%.
Michelin and Solesis have signed a research agreement to leverage Solesis’s expertise in biology and medical applications and Michelin's mastery of polymer science. Numerous synergies have been achieved since the agreement was signed, from decreased approval times for polymer implant technologies to the identification of innovation biomaterials. This partnership is a strong contributor to our efforts to achieve 100% renewable or recycled materials.
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