Global RFID Leader Beontag Partners with Michelin to Launch Innovative New “Smart Tires”
- Published: December 04, 2024
Embedded technology will enable manufacturers, distributors, fleets and consumers to track the life cycle of Michelin tires, promoting durability, efficiency, and traceability
Beontag, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of self-adhesives and smart tags such as RFID, NFC and Bluetooth Low Energy technology, has launched a new partnership with world-leading tire manufacturer Michelin, that will see its TireTag technology incorporated into millions of new commercial and passenger tires in 2025 and beyond. The UHF embedded smart tires, consisting of a jointly-patented RFID-enabled pod and antenna using state-of-the-art chips and materials, will enable complete traceability through the entire life cycle of all new tires, including manufacture date and storage location, distribution, installation and replacement, refurbishment and more. Following the initial launch, Beontag’s TireTag technology will be introduced to additional tire brands, enabling a new era of traceability and vehicle management.
Significantly for the EU market, this traceability solution from Beontag also ensures that all new Michelin tires will comply with upcoming Ecodesign for Sustainable Product Regulations (ESPR), which mandates the need for Digital Product Passports (DPPs) for many products sold within the EU. The ESPR will come into effect for tires from 2026.
This innovative collaboration between Beontag and Michelin was first established in 2019, when the two companies began work on a brand-new, patented UHF RFID embedded tag from scratch. After years of R&D development and reliability tests, the result is the exceptionally durable and reliable connected Gen4 TireTag, capable of functioning for up to one million driven kilometers – including through the vulcanization and retreading process common for truck tires.
Suchi Srinivasan, Beontag’s VP of Digital Transformation said, “We are enormously proud to share what we have achieved with these new smart tires, namely a durable and versatile RFID tag that meets both the economic and environmental challenges of the future, paving the way for new mobility solutions.
“As an innovation-led, problem-solving partner for our customers, we have worked hard to develop the necessary technology and durability capabilities in the tire tag, ensuring they are suited to the needs of modern vehicles and their drivers. This partnership marks an exciting step for Beontag as we work to bring our powerful RFID technology to a growing number of automotive equipment manufacturers. We look forward to continuing this journey to drive enhanced business operations and promote sustainability.”
Laurent Couturier, RFID System Designer at Michelin added, “RFID technology in tires plays a pivotal role in optimizing operations and enhancing efficiency. This system enables precise, automated tracking of each tire from production to retreading or recycling. The RFID tire-tag improves industrial performance while addressing today’s ecological imperatives.
In collaboration with Beontag, we have developed an RFID tag that meets both the economic and environmental challenges of the future, paving the way for new mobility solutions.”
