Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Rubber News
  • European Rubber Journal
Subscribe
  • Login
  • Register
  • Subscribe
  • Current Issue
  • BEST PLACES TO WORK
  • News
    • HUMANITARIAN
    • TIRE MAKERS
    • COMMERCIAL TIRE
    • GOVERNMENT & LAW
    • MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS
    • OBITUARIES
    • OPINION
    • MID YEAR REPORT
    • SERVICE ZONE
  • ADAS
  • Data
    • DATA STORE
  • Custom
    • SPONSORED CONTENT
  • Resources
    • Events
    • DIRECTORY
    • CLASSIFIEDS
    • SHOP FLOOR
    • AWARDS
    • ASK THE EXPERT
    • LIVESTREAMS
    • WEBINARS
    • SEMA LIVESTREAMS
    • RUBBER NEWS EVENTS
    • BALANCING
    • DEMOUNTING
    • SAFETY
    • TIRE REPAIR
    • TPMS
    • TRAINING
    • VEHICLE LIFTING
    • WHEEL TORQUE
    • Best Places to Work
  • ADVERTISE
  • DIGITAL EDITION
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. News
June 18, 2018 02:00 AM

Michelin researchers win patent award for 'auto-regenerate' tire

Tire Business Staff
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print
    Group Michelin image
    Agnès Poulbot displaying a sketch of her design concept.

    PARIS — A pair of Group Michelin researchers have earned European inventor of the year recognition by the European Patent Office (EPO) for the company's "auto-regenerate" truck tire design, which allows the tire's tread design to evolve as the tire wears.

    The award is in the industry category.

    At a June 7 event in Paris, Michelin researchers Agnès Poulbot and Jacques Barraud were recognized for their work on a new generation of tires, marketed as the "Regenion" tire technology.

    Ms. Poulbot is described as a specialist in 3D design simulation programs, while the late Mr. Barraud was a senior expert in tire design and production for heavy vehicles. He died in July 2016.

    The tread design, carried out by 3D metal printing, includes several distinct layers of tread within the same tire.

    As the outermost layer is worn down, a new tread will emerge to be in contact with the road surface. This can extend the tire's lifespan by up to 20 percent, Michelin said.

    Additionally, Michelin claims tires with the Regenion design offer reduced rolling resistance and thus help to increase fuel efficiency.

    According to the EPO citation, upgrading a vehicle to Regenion tires reduces that vehicle's CO2 emissions by nearly 8,120 pounds over the life of the tire or compared with conventional models.

    The EPO noted that passenger cars and heavy-duty vehicles are responsible for around 12 and 5 percent, respectively, of total European Union emissions of CO2, the main greenhouse gas, according to European Commission data.

    Michelin also noted its Regenion-based truck tires achieved an "A" grade for rolling resistance.

    The patent was awarded in 2013, and Michelin has produced and sold truck and passenger tires with the technology since 2013 and 2016, respectively.

    In announcing the award, Michelin also noted the contribution of its metal additive manufacture, or 3D metal printing, as a key contributor in bringing the technology from concept to reality.

    The concept debuted in North America in 2014 in the Michelin Premier A/S tire with "EverGrip" technology.

    The EPO awards were given in five categories of industry, research, non-EPO countries, SMEs and lifetime achievement.

    Also winning the industry awards were Lego's programmable robots and ASML Netherlands' latest ultraviolet lithography (EUVL) advances in producing microprocessors.

    Letter
    to the
    Editor

    Do you have an opinion about this story? Do you have some thoughts you'd like to share with our readers? Tire Business would love to hear from you. Email your letter to Editor Don Detore at [email protected].

    Most Popular
    1
    Icahn-owned Auto Plus files for Chapter 11 protection
    2
    Goodyear to trim jobs amid 'uncertain' economic outlook
    3
    Gills Point S acquires Hogan Tires of Maine
    4
    Bridgestone Americas creates corporate philanthropy post
    5
    Truck sector leads U.S. tire market; consumer down
    SIGN UP FOR NEWSLETTERS
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    Newsletter Center

    Staying current is easy with Tire Business delivered straight to your inbox.

    SUBSCRIBE TODAY

    Subscribe to Tire Business

    SUBSCRIBE
    Connect with Us
    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • RSS

    Our Mission

    Tire Business is an award-winning publication dedicated to providing the latest news, data and insights into the tire and automotive service industries.

    Reader Services
    • Staff
    • About Us
    • Site Map
    • Industry Sites
    • Order Reprints
    • Customer Service: 877-320-1716
    Partner Sites
    • Rubber News
    • European Rubber Journal
    • Automotive News
    • Plastics News
    • Urethanes Technology
    RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    • Terms of Service
    • Media Guide
    • Editorial Calendar
    • Classified Rates
    • Digital Edition
    • Careers
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    Copyright © 1996-2023. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • BEST PLACES TO WORK
    • News
      • HUMANITARIAN
      • TIRE MAKERS
      • COMMERCIAL TIRE
      • GOVERNMENT & LAW
      • MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS
      • OBITUARIES
      • OPINION
      • MID YEAR REPORT
      • SERVICE ZONE
    • ADAS
    • Data
      • DATA STORE
    • Custom
      • SPONSORED CONTENT
    • Resources
      • Events
        • ASK THE EXPERT
        • LIVESTREAMS
        • WEBINARS
        • SEMA LIVESTREAMS
        • RUBBER NEWS EVENTS
      • DIRECTORY
      • CLASSIFIEDS
      • SHOP FLOOR
        • BALANCING
        • DEMOUNTING
        • SAFETY
        • TIRE REPAIR
        • TPMS
        • TRAINING
        • VEHICLE LIFTING
        • WHEEL TORQUE
      • AWARDS
        • Best Places to Work
    • ADVERTISE
    • DIGITAL EDITION