Germany’s leading automobile association, ADAC (Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club), has recognized Michelin tires as a leader in reducing particulate emissions generated by tire wear.
This achievement is based on the latest study involving 160 tire models from various brands.
According to the study’s findings, Michelin tires produce 26 percent fewer particles compared to the average of their competitors in the premium segment.
This result reinforces previous research conducted in 2021, which showed that Michelin tires emit 28 percent fewer particles than the average premium tire.
Michelin’s closest competitor, on the other hand, recorded 20 percent more particle emissions for each kilometer driven and each metric ton carried.
The study highlights Michelin’s ongoing commitment to innovation in producing high-performance tires with exceptional longevity, lower particle emissions, and reduced raw material usage.
This effort is further motivated by the implementation of the Euro 7 standards approved in July 2024.
These standards introduce requirements for measuring tire wear particle emissions, with tires that fail to meet these standards being prohibited from sale.
According to Florentin Odenwald, Managing Director of Michelin Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei, “Particle emissions due to tire wear are an unavoidable side effect of driving.
“At Michelin, we are committed to minimizing this impact on the environment.
“Our goal is to lead sustainability efforts by reducing the impact of tire wear particle emissions through continuous innovation, without compromising on safety or performance.”
For over two decades, Michelin has focused on research and development activities (investing EUR 786 million in 2024) to enhance understanding of tire wear phenomena.
The results are evident in the achievements of several products, such as the Primacy 5, which successfully achieved a 14 percent reduction in particle emissions compared to the Primacy 4+ tire.
Additionally, the Michelin CrossClimate 3 Sport summer tire, which is also approved for winter use, recorded a 23 percent reduction in particle emissions compared to the Pilot Sport 5, a summer tire in the same category.
At the end of 2023, Michelin announced the establishment of a joint research laboratory with the French National Scientific Research Center (CNRS) and the University of Clermont Auvergne: BioDLab.
The primary goal of this laboratory is to explore the biodegradation processes of tire wear particles in greater depth and to develop solutions to ensure these particles are naturally absorbed by the environment.
