Top recognition for Michelin elastomers specialist

 Paris – Claire Fauvarque Nuytten, responsible for new elastomer process developments within Michelin Group's R&D department, was recently awarded the Pierre Faurre 2024 prize*, École Polytechnique has announced.

The award, announced on 26 March, in particular recognised her development of a patented sustainable elastomer that is “now essential for reducing the energy consumption of Michelin products.”

She was also cited strengthening Michelin's attractiveness to graduates and developing links between the tire manufacturer and École Polytechnique.

A graduate of École Polytechnique cycle ingénieur program and of the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Fauvarque Nuytten joined the Michelin Group's R&D operations department in 2014.

According to the release, she has “distinguished herself by developing new patented sustainable elastomers, thanks to an innovative process that she has deployed from pilot to industrial scale.

“Offering significant gains in rolling resistance, these breakthrough elastomers now account for around 20% of Michelin's production volumes, helping to reduce the environmental impact of mobility.”

Since 2022, Fauvarque Nuytten has been in charge of new elastomer process developments, including project management for the design of new-generation elastomers and their transition to renewable or recycled raw materials.

As part of the BioButterfly program, a multi-stakeholder partnership between Michelin, IFP Energies Nouvelles and Axens, she is responsible for integrating a bio-based monomer into Michelin elastomers.

In 2024, Claire Fauvarque Nuytten helped produce the first batch of elastomers from this monomer for use in the manufacture of passenger car tires with the same performance as conventional equivalents.

*The Pierre Faurre prize is awarded to a young ‘polytechnicien’ who has developed an innovative activity or project within his or her company, and whose early career demonstrates a combination of technical mastery, management skills and international success.