MILAN, Italy—Michelin is partnering with Beontag, a manufacturer of self-adhesives and smart tags such as RFID and NFC, to include the technology in its commercial and passenger tires over the next two years.
The ultra-high-frequency (UHF)-embedded tag, which consists of a jointly designed pod and antenna using state-of-the-art chips and materials, will enable traceability of all new tires, including manufacture date and storage location, distribution, installation and replacement, refurbishment and more, for the entire life cycle of the tire, Michelin said.
The partnership between Beontag and Michelin has been building since it was first established in 2019, when the two companies began collaborating on the UHF RFID-embedded tag from scratch, Michelin said.
The tire maker said after years of research and development and months of reliability tests to reach the desired level of quality, the result is a durable and reliable connected tire, capable of functioning for up to 620,000 driven miles, including through the retreading process common for truck tires.
Beontag's RFID-enabled tires provide the ability to trace the life cycle of a tire, from its origin in one of Michelin's plants worldwide, through to disposal and recycling, the company said.
"Importantly, in the context of tires set to be sold in the EU market, this traceability solution from Beontag also ensures that all new tires will comply with upcoming Ecodesign for Sustainable Product Regulations (ESPR), which mandates the need for digital product passports (DPPs) and will come into effect for tires from 2028-2030," Michelin said.
"We are enormously proud to share what we have achieved so early in our partnership with Michelin," Suchi Srinivasan, Beontag's global vice president of digital transformation, said.
"As an innovation-led, problem-solving partner for our customers, we have worked hard to develop the necessary technology and durability capabilities in these RFID-enabled tires, making sure they are suited to the needs of modern vehicles and their drivers. I look forward to continuing this journey with Michelin to drive business and promote sustainability."
Laurent Couturier, RFID system designer at Michelin, added: "RFID technology in tires plays a pivotal role in optimizing operations and enhancing efficiency. This system enables precise, automated tracking of each tire from production to retreading or recycling. The RFID tire-tag improves industrial performance while addressing today's ecological imperatives.
"In collaboration with Beontag, we have developed an RFID tag that meets both the economic and environmental challenges of the future, paving the way for new mobility solutions."
