FRANKFURT, Germany—Following positive experiences with the repurposing of its tire production plant in Dundee, Scotland, Michelin plans to revitalize the site of its tire manufacturing facility in Hallstadt, Germany.
Michelin said last September that it was shutting down the Bamberg site by early 2021, as demand for the plant's small rim-size tires continues to drop.
The French tire maker aims to bring together "ambitious, interdisciplinary" sustainable mobility players in the region at the proposed Cleantech Innovation Parc Bamberg, according to a Sept. 16 statement.
Currently at a concept stage, the park will be joined by leading research institutes, automotive suppliers and the cleantech sector to develop a "sustainable ecosystem."
The 947,000-sq.-ft. facility will focus on new mobility concepts, drive systems and green cutting-edge technologies, Michelin added.
Michelin said it reached an agreement with the Bamberg district and the city of Hallstadt at the end of June on the future planning of the site.
"In order for the revitalization ... to succeed, politics, science and companies in the region must work together," said Christian Metzger, Michelin Hallstadt plant manager.
According to Metzger, Michelin has received positive signals for the project from political partners at local and state level.
In operation since 1971, the Bamberg site manufactures 8 million tires per year, mainly 16-inch passenger car tires, which have declined in popularity globally.
The proposed revitalization of the plant follows Michelin's success in converting its former production site in Dundee into a sustainable mobility innovation center earlier this year.
