Michelin planning to convert German tire plant to cleantech park

Frankfurt, Germany – Following “positive experiences” with the repurposing of its tire production plant in Dundee, Scotland, Michelin has announced plans to ‘revitalise’ the site of its tire manufacturing facility in Hallstadt, Bamberg, Germany.

Michelin disclosed in September last year that it was shutting down the Bamberg site by early 2021, as demand for the plant’s small rim-size tires continues to drop.

Almost a year later, in a 16 September statement, the French tire maker said it aimed to bring together "ambitious", "interdisciplinary" sustainable mobility players in the region at the proposed Cleantech Innovation Parc Bamberg.

Currently at a “concept stage”, the parc will be joined by leading research institutes, automotive suppliers and the cleantech sector to develop a “sustainable ecosystem”.

The 88,000-square-metre facility will focus on new mobility concepts, drive systems and green cutting-edge technologies, Michelin added.

The French group said it reached an agreement with the Bamberg district and the city of Hallstadt at the end of June on cooperating on the future planning of the site. 

“In order for the revitalisation… 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, the demand for which has seen a sharp decline globally.

The proposed revitalisation of the plant follows Michelin's success in converting its former production site in Dundee into a sustainable mobility innovation centre earlier this year.