Composites: marvels of technology that hold the key to the world of tomorrow

A composite consists of two or more different types of materials with complementary properties combined to form a product, offering even greater performance, usually capable of solving several issues at the same time.

Did you know that we have been using composites for thousands of years? The mud and straw bricks used by the Egyptians and Mesopotamians to make their houses sturdier, the concrete made of lime, volcanic ash and fragments of rock the Romans used to build aqueducts and infrastructure were early forms of composites.

Whether derived from natural sources such as wood or bones, or from the chemistry of materials, composites are all around us today in a variety of forms. They are designed to help shield, buffer, secure, bond, seal and convey in multiple applications. Many innovations would simply not have been possible without composites, and entire sectors of industry - automotive and aeronautics for example - would have not achieved the same technological advances. 

Composites are lightweight, strong, sustainable and long-lasting... characteristics which explain their popularity in diverse sectors such as automotive, aeronautics, sport and construction. 

Without Michelin’s innovative power, its in-depth understanding of material properties and its ability to combine materials with often contradictory properties, tires would have never achieved today’s impressive levels of performance.  Thanks to tires - a truly iconic composite containing more than 200 components - Michelin has acquired unparalleled expertise and achieved best-in-class status. 

Michelin owes its leading position in composites to the cutting-edge expertise in tire technology it has been honing for over 130 years, combining chemistry, material processing, composite design and an understanding of how its products are used, extending from fundamental research right through to the manufacturing phase.  

Conveyors, seals, belts, fibers, coated fabrics, membranes, resins and polymer medical implants are just some of the increasing number of composites manufactured by Michelin which is branching out beyond its emblematic core product - tires. 

Michelin’s goal is to become the global leader in composites, serving fast growing markets in highly demanding fields such as mobility, construction, aeronautics, low-carbon power and healthcare. The Group is expanding into these markets by developing its existing activities combined with external growth. 

Non-toxic adhesive resins, revolutionary inflatable solutions... Michelin can count on its distinctive knowledge in materials science - bolstered by subsidiaries such as ResiCare and Michelin Inflatable Solutions - to pave the way for disruptive innovations, in particular by leveraging its expertise in polymer composite solutions for high-potential applications beyond mobility. Thanks to Solesis, in which Michelin holds a stake with the investment firm Altaris, Michelin is now a player in the field of biocompatible materials for implants, regenerative medicine, and cell and gene therapy. The late-2022 acquisition of Polyzen has strengthened Solesis’ portfolio with a line of polymer films and coatings for medical applications. 

In parallel, the Group is pursuing a strategy of merging and acquiring designed to leverage common and/or complementary knowhow. When Michelin acquired Fenner, the global leader in reinforced polymer technology in 2017, it was able to gain a foothold in new markets such as transportation, energy, agriculture, healthcare and manufacturing with conveyors (conveyors North - conveyors South), belting and seals.    

In 2023, Michelin acquired Flex Composite Group (FCG), the European leader in high-tech fabrics which owns the Angeloni, Orca by Pennel & Flipo and Faitplast brands, thereby broadening its range of polymer composite solutions and gaining access to new cutting-edge markets such as marine, automotive (supercars, electric vehicles), sport and construction.  

 
A world-leading manufacturer of composites for an “all sustainable” world 

We have never faced so many new challenges in terms of technology, people and the environment. Tomorrow, Michelin intends for every object to be “all sustainable”, i.e. offer long-lasting performance, be socially responsible and be designed for minimum environmental impact across its entire lifecycle. This “all sustainable” approach underpins each and every one of Michelin’s actions and decisions.

Composites offer infinite possibilities and are valuable technological drivers capable of reconciling operational excellence, energy efficiency and resource conservation. 

For example, composites are ideal in the aeronautics or automotive sectors where weight-saving is critical. Lighter than steel, they contribute to boosting energy efficiency and reducing CO_2, emissions which are crucial to meet today’s environmental challenges. Moreover, they offer greater resistance which is also important in ensuring products last longer. 

Throughout its history, Michelin has kept its pioneering spirit alive, capitalizing on its impressive mastery of materials science which has given rise to technological exploits, often in the most unexpected domains.

Michelin has an in-depth understanding of the most critical composite - the tire.  So, why not take advantage of its distinctive knowhow in targeted areas to enhance the performance of other objects or products? Michelin has already proved that it is more than just a tire manufacturer by making trains and even planes in the past. So, the company is well-equipped to meet its next goal: building a world-leading manufacturer of life-changing composites and make the world a more sustainable place.

There is no doubt that composites will allow the Group to open a new chapter in a history marked by a passion for innovation and the desire to further human progress.