Michelin licensing RFID technology to Japanese firm

KYOTO, Japan—Murata Manufacturing Co. Ltd. has secured an agreement with Group Michelin covering the supply of radio frequency identification (RFID) tire tags it licenses from Michelin to tire makers other than Michelin.

The licensing agreement follows a "successful working relationship" the companies have had for many years, Murata said, that has helped advance the use of RFID tag technology in tires.

Through this new agreement, Murata said it will be able to offer its RFID tags—which are covered by Michelin patents—to other tire makers besides Michelin.

Murata did not comment on the commercial value of the agreement nor on what licensing fees might be.

In addition to offering RFID tire tags, Murata said it is committed to helping tire manufacturers evaluate and implement these tags into their products by leveraging its "deep understanding" of communications technologies.

Murata added that it can provide tailored solutions that improve tire traceability and management for various applications, encompassing high-performance motorsport, passenger vehicles and networks for global transport.

To facilitate uniform adoption of RFID technology within the tire industry, Murata will continue to provide tire manufacturers with access to solutions based on Murata's RFID software, id-Bridge.

"RFID technology is a key element in improving the efficiency and optimization of tire operations," Laurent Couturier, RFID system designer at Michelin, said. "This RFID tag is the unique way to identify tires, from cradle to grave, in a consistent manner, thus responding to the ecological challenges of our time.

This agreement will open up new perspectives for the future of mobility. Couturier added.

" ... partnership will help to produce solutions capable of overcoming significant challenges that exist within the global tire market, allowing for further advancements in operation efficiency and supply chain reliability," Tetsuo Kawakatsu, director of RFID Business Department at Murata, said.

In announcing the agreement, Murato noted the trend of making more and more objects connected in order to trace their origins more accurately and promote recycling. Europe is in the process of implementing the Eco-design for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), which is designed to improve the circularity of products, which will be issued a "digital product passport" (DPP) allowing their life cycle to be traced.

This will affect tires, Murata said, which must contain an RFID, considered an essential component to obtain a DPP. In addition to guaranteeing compatibility with new European standards, RFID will make it possible to improve all logistical aspects affecting the tire and automobile industry and mobility more generally, Murata said.