Group Michelin has announced a new global sustainability policy that includes a pledge to reach zero CO2 emissions for all of its plants by 2050. Another goal of the new program: reduce tire-related energy consumption per kilometer traveled by 20% by 2030.
To reduce the carbon footprint of its tire manufacturing, Michelin has a developed a strategy founded on two pillars: consume less, and transition to renewable energy sources. According to the company, these strategies already are being implemented: in Europe, 85% of its plants are powered by electricity that is guaranteed to come from renewable sources. And CO2 emissions were reduced by 22% between 2010 and 2018.
In the future, the company plans to achieve these efforts by improving the energy-efficiency of industrial tools, using more renewable energy, and eliminating coal: currently, 5 out of the company’s 70 sites around the world are still coal-fired. Michelin has launched studies to evaluate the feasibility of replacing coal with another source of primary energy, such as gas or biomass. All Michelin plants will phase out the use of coal by 2030 at the latest.