Murata, Michelin in licence agreement for worldwide supply of RFID tags

Kyoto, Japan – Murata Manufacturing Co. has signed a licence agreement with Michelin for the supply of radio frequency identification (RFID) tags embedded in tires.

The agreement enables Murata to provide RFID tags for tire embedding to tire manufacturers worldwide, said the Japanese electronics supplier 20 May.

The tags, it said, will contribute to tire management in factories and warehouses, as well as maintenance- and quality-traceability across supply-chains and aftermarkets.

Murata said it has been working with Michelin for many years to advance RFID tag technology in tires.

With "this new agreement, Murata will be able to produce generation 4 RFID tire tags... [and] also have the possibility of offering the integration of RFID Tag in tires, patented by Michelin.

"In the future, tire manufacturers around the world will have access to this cutting-edge solution scheduled to enter mass production."

Murata will also provide an RFID software, called id-Bridge, as part of the deal, to contribute to the efficiency of tire management and sales.

In the linkless structure, the RFID module and external antenna are magnetically coupled to function as an RFID tag.

The tag is designed to track information about a tire from birth to disposal, thereby supporting logistics and environmental management.

The Japanese group said it aims to start mass production of the new RFID tags in January next year.

"RFID technology is indispensable for the efficiency and optimisation of tire operations,” said Laurent Couturier, RFID system designer at Michelin.

“Through this license agreement, Murata and Michelin will work together to advance the tire industry, allowing all stakeholders to benefit from RFID technology,” he added.

With the license agreement, “we will standardise the use of RFID in tires globally,” stated Tetsuo Kawakatsu, head of the RFID business promotion department at Murata.

The two companies, he said, will “create solutions that overcome challenges in the transportation industry, and further enhance operational efficiency and supply-chain reliability."

The RFID tag is also expected to support regulatory initiatives such as ‘eco-design’ and digital passports in the EU, while reducing the need for manual inspections of tires.