Clermont-Ferrand, France – Michelin has inaugurated its first zero emission plant in Les Gravanches, near Clermont-Ferrand, the French tire maker has announced.
Powered 100% by renewable energy and with zero CO2 emissions, the unit is the “first of its kind” in the world, said Michelin CEO Florent Menegaux during an annual results conference call 10 Feb.
Built in 2001, the facility manufactures ultra-high performance tires for high-end cars and motorcycles, according to the French press.
The plant is run by 100% electric machines and workshops are heated by the ‘residual heat’ emitted from the machinery, Michelin confirmed in a 3 March email to ERJ.
Started in 2017, the upgrading project was completed in November last year and the site has been CO2-free since then, Michelin added.
Supplying tires to OEMs such as Audi, BMW, Ferrari, Porsche and Mercedes AMG, the site manufactures 5,500 tires per day.
In 2020, the factory is set to manufacture 1.8 million units, according to Michelin.
