Sustainability Statement Pollution (E2) 04 4.3 POLLUTION (E2) Three questions for Cyril Dupuch, Vice President, Materials Research & Development “The health, safety and environmental impact of our products and operations is an absolute priority for Michelin, integrated into all our processes.” What does pollution represent for Michelin? In particular, what is the Group’s position on the issue of tire and road wear particles released during the use phase? Life-cycle assessments have shown that the third largest impact of our tires stems from the release of Tire and Road Wear Particles (TRWP) during use. While these particles are very different from microplastics, they represent a significant environmental issue and in response, Michelin is taking action in a number of ways to abate their emissions. Our unrivaled materials expertise is enabling us to steadily reduce abrasion by developing new materials and designing our tires to be made with less raw material. In March 2022, for example, the German Automobile Association (ADAP) acclaimed Michelin as the undisputed leader in abrasion performance in tests of 143 summer, winter and all-season tires(1). Because there is still so much to learn and do with regard to TRWP, we’re pursuing our own mitigation research and engaging the entire tire industry to step up its commitment in this area. We’re working with both partners and other actors within the market, as attested by the creation in late 2023 of a joint laboratory, BioDLab, in association with France’s CNRS national research institute, to improve understanding of TRWP degradation in the environment. As part of the European Tyre & Rubber Manufacturers Association (ETRMA), we cooperated extensively to help define a standardized particle measurement method. We are also engaging with regulatory agencies and support legislation that will set tire abrasion limits. Michelin also uses chemicals in its products. How is the Group responding, particularly to the issue of substances of concern and very high concern? Twenty years ago, we set up an environmental observatory to keep abreast of the latest scientific knowledge and to analyze public information about chemicals in each of these two classes. As soon as we are aware of the science, and without waiting for any new regulations governing the use of these substances, we initiate research programs to develop alternative solutions capable of delivering the same performance in our products. These are often long-term programs, because we have to make sure that substituting a component won’t alter product performance, particularly in terms of safety. In this way, more than 20 years ago we undertook a research program to replace resorcinol and formaldehyde in textile adhesives. Today, we’re using new adhesives, with risk-free chemicals, in our own products. In fact, this innovation has had a much broader impact because, after being taken up by our textiles suppliers, its use is expanding beyond the tire industry thanks to its marketing by our ResiCare subsidiary(2). Lastly, one of Michelin’s air pollution impacts comes from volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions. What is the Group doing to reduce them? We are committed to eliminating volatile organic solvents in our tire manufacturing operations by 2050, with an intermediate milestone of reducing their use per tonne of semi-finished and finished product by 50% in 2030 compared with 2019. To meet this ambitious goal, we’re simultaneously investing in a number of research pathways to eliminate volatile and organic solvents, develop alternative, solvent-free solutions and optimize the manufacturing process. In addition to technological innovations, Michelin is also strongly emphasizing cultural change and the application of best practices in the production plants, which together have driven a fast, significant 25% drop in VOC use over the past three years. (1) See the 2021 ADAC study, Tyre wear particles in the environment (Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club, Tyre abrasion: wear and burden on the environment/31940 RMU), updated in March 2022. (2) ResiCare develops and markets high-performance resins dedicated to industrial applications. 220 2024 UNIVERSAL REGISTRATION DOCUMENT_MICHELIN
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