Michelin Group philosophy for the sustainable development, of the performance of truck tyres

By Michelin Tyres

Since the early 1920s, Michelin has advocated the benefit of the correct maintenance of truck tyres, to enhance performance. Beginning originally in France and the UK, the Group became the reference in terms of sustainable development. Now, under the name of Michelin Fleet Solutions, this tyre management approach is deployed across all of Europe, North America, China and other emerging markets.

It consists of taking into account the tyre management requirements, of large truck fleets to optimize their performance specifically on two levels:
• Durability of tyres in terms of life span (lowest operating costs)
• Energy efficiency (lower operating costs and environmental considerations)

The improvement of tyre life is provided by the two components of the Michelin "Multi Life" concept: Regrooving & Retreading.

Regrooving Truck Tyres is recommended to improve both mileage and safety: Regrooving increases the grip potential of the tyre, by recreating brand new edges and a tread depth of up to six mm: it is the equivalent of a mid-life tyre.

The new tyre is specifically designed, to allow for the regrooving activity.

Retreading Truck Tyres with the Michelin Retreading Technologies solution, allows the tyre to cover in excess of 80% of the mileage potential of a new tyre.

Michelin has the expertise to optimise the life span of the end users tyres: The retreaded tyre performance, ie: grip, handling, resistance and safety are the same as a new tyre.

The extreme reliability of the Michelin casing, enables the user to take advantage of the unique Michelin Retread Technology. This in turn maximises the initial investment made in the new tyre purchase, and allows the user to benefit from the performance of the highest quality retreaded truck tyre.
                  
Retreading is also an environmentally friendly solution. The natural resources required i.e.: quantity of rubber for this operation is only 20 to 30% of new. Besides this raw material saving, Retreading also drastically decreases the amount of tyres to be recycled at life end.

"a Retread Tyre is a Tyre less to eliminate".

Regarding "energy efficiency", three elements should be considered:
• Regrooving : the fuel saving during the Regrooving phase is about 1.4 l/100 km due to the lower rolling resistance provided by the reduced tread depth
• Tyre pressure management : 20% underinflation leads to a 2% increase in fuel consumption

• Low Rolling Resistance Truck Tyres : the use of the ENERGY fuel saving Truck Tyres range leads to 3% ie ~1 liter per 100 km fuel consumption decrease in comparison with traditional solutions for a 3 axle trailer.

These three elements have a dual effect, lower operating costs for the user providing excellent budget control, and of course a significant positive impact on the environment.

The tyre management system Michelin is currently developing in the Gulf Region, is based on the principle of the sale of a service replacing the sale of a product.
The market for this type of offer has to be developed, as transportation companies
strive to focus resources on their core business.

The advantages for customers are numerous:
• Tyre servicing time is reduced thanks to the preventive work carried out during planned maintenance, thereby improving vehicle productivity.

Highly technically trained Michelin field based staff are available across the Region. Their role is to advise on all matters regarding tyre management, and to assist the fleet operators in obtaining optimum return from their investment in tyres. This advise comes in a number of different ways:
• Ensuring that the correct product is used in relation to specific conditions of use.
• Carrying out regular examinations of a sample of vehicles,
• Creating a tyre maintenance schedule for the workshop,
• Making bespoke air pressure recommendations, and auditing sample air pressures during their regular fleet visits.
• Reporting  potential mechanical anomalies which may generate abnormal tyre wear.

Michelin Truck Tyre Management provides a customized approach, to fit the individual hauliers needs.
 
Tyre performance is optimized, ensuring the lowest cost per kilometre performance, reducing both fuel consumption and unscheduled down-time.

The Michelin Truck Tyre Management philosophy, is a virtuous circle to sustainable development for the transporters and the contractor operators in the Gulf Region.

An improved economical performance, combined with a reduced environmental footprint.
 
Contact details:
Paul Davey
Michelin Regional Office, Sheikh Zayed Road
Burj Dubai, Emaar Business Hub, build # 2, 5th floor, P.O.Box: 812, Dubai, U.A.E
T: 00971 4 4267393, F: 00971 4 4267392, E: michdxb@eim.ae