Michelin, one of the world’s largest tire manufacturers and a global leader in innovation, has partnered with REGOM, a company specializing in systems to optimize recycling activities, to advance the future of tire lifecycle management. At the heart of this collaboration, which started in early 2024, is a groundbreaking R&D project leveraging RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology to transform the way tires are managed at the end of their life.

Embedding RFID Technology in Tires

Michelin has been at the forefront of integrating RFID tags into tires, embedding them directly into the structure during manufacturing. These RFID tags serve as a digital passport for each tire, carrying critical information such as the tire’s brand, model, dimensions, and manufacturing details.

At the end of a tire’s lifecycle, the embedded RFID tags enable enhanced tracking and sorting during the recycling process. By providing detailed information about each tire, these tags can streamline recycling operations, ensuring the optimal reuse or disposal of materials.

REGOM’s Role: RFID Integration for Recycling

REGOM’s expertise lies in developing advanced systems to optimize recycling processes. As part of this collaboration with Michelin, REGOM focuses on creating advanced RFID antennas. These antennas are designed to:

  • Accurately read the information stored in RFID tags of each tire,
  • Seamlessly integrate into REGOM’s sorting lines, and
  • Enable recyclers to grade and classify tires with higher precision

This collaboration focuses on making RFID systems scalable and practical for use in real-world recycling facilities.

Benefits for the Industry

The Michelin-REGOM partnership for creating RFID antennas delivers transformative benefits to the tire recycling industry:

  • Increased Efficiency: Automated, precise sorting minimizes errors and manual labor.
  • Upgrade of used tires repurposing: Higher grading precision ensure a higher amount of tires being directed for higher value repurposing applications.
  • Circular Economy Progress: The collaboration brings the industry closer to a closed-loop tire lifecycle, reducing waste and environmental impact.

Broader Impacts: Shaping the Future of Tires

By combining Michelin’s innovation with REGOM’s expertise, this partnership is setting a new standard for tire recycling. The integration of RFID technology creates a connected ecosystem for tire lifecycle management, enabling recyclers to meet environmental regulations and the growing demand for sustainable practices.