Balance between People, Planets and operational efficiency
Facing climate change and growth challenges, Michelin takes a harmonious balance between people, planets and operational efficiency as a guideline. This dominates from R&D, corporate culture to community responsibility, with many specific programs for each target group.
Michelin is committed to a diverse and safe working environment in 175 countries. The Group ensures a living wage (Living Wage) and supports employees through the One Care program, while focusing on lifelong training with 5 million hours of training per year.
The Group applies theLife Cycle Assessment method for all products to assess environmental impacts. Michelin said that more than 80% of the environmental imprint of tires arises during use, thereby affirming the importance of responsible design and manufacture.
Michelin is pursuing commitments to 2030: 40% of raw materials in tires are from recycled or renewable sources, and 100% of natural rubber used is assessed as not causing deforestation. The Group is also committed to reducing CO2 emissions by 47% by 2030 compared to 2019 and has made significant progress.
In Southeast Asia, Michelin has eliminated plastic packaging for motorbike tires, saving 300 tons of plastic per year. In Vietnam, the conversion of transportation to sea has reduced emissions by more than 50%; the use of thermal boilers and solar power at Binh Duong plant has reduced an additional 3,700 tons of CO2 per year.
Michelin Group President Florent Menegaux shared: No development project can be formed without full consideration of economic, social and environmental impacts. Similarly, no single individual or organization can solve the common challenges that the world is facing alone. Michelin's "All-Sustainable" approach is a clear demonstration of that need for multidimensional cooperation."
Open innovation thinking is part of Michelin's corporate culture, promoting progress and opening up many potential growth opportunities. The Group cooperates with research institutes, universities and businesses in Europe, establishes a Factolab in France to research "industry of the future", or participate in recycling alliances Black Cybercle and White Cybercle. Expand to the ocean, Michelin develops solutions to help "green" the maritime transport industry.
WISAMO Light Up for the Maritime Industry
The shipping industry (accounting for 3% of global emissions) is under double pressure from fuel costs and demand for strict emission cuts. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) requires a minimum of 20% reduction in emissions by 2030, moving towards carbon neutrality by 2050, and has approved a carbon pricing mechanism, according to which ships will have to pay 380 USD for each ton of CO2 exceeding the allowable threshold.
Facing that challenge, WISAMO (Wing Sail Mobility) has opened a "bright door" for the maritime industry by developing sustainable mobility solutions. This is expected to be a new path for global shipping, serving as a practical solution to the difficulties that many businesses are facing.
Tests have proven that WISAMO helps reduce CO2 emissions by up to 20% for operating vessels and more than 50% for new vessels. This system maximizes wind energy to support train propulsion and improve operational efficiency. Developed by Michelin's R&D team in Switzerland, the system operates effectively in many wind conditions, even when the ship moves in the opposite direction.
WISAMO has now launched a 170 m2 hard sails, serving many types of ships from 20 to 60 meters long such as fishing boats, research ships, patrol ships, etc. The system is completely compact, allowing installation on yachts. The WISAMO team is continuing to optimize the design and development of larger sailing models, with an 800 m2 version expected to launch in 2026, meeting the diverse needs of the international maritime market.
From the achieved results, WISAMO has affirmed its position as a feasible and effective solution to the problem of "greening" the maritime transport industry.
