Resilience for the future

By investing in agricultural and environmental research and development, Michelin aims to preserve the viability of natural rubber farming for generations to come.

Research and Development

Innovation is essential to limit land pressure and satisfy an increasing global demand in natural rubber.

Through longstanding partnerships

In collaboration with its partners, including CIRAD and the French Rubber Institut (IFC), the Group is developing agricultural systems to improve the productivity of plantations where rubber trees are tapped less frequently and with productive varieties.

Michelin also collaborates in natural rubber research with CIRAD, the International Rubber Research and Development Board (IRRDB), rubber research institutes and with academic institutes in Brazil, France, and Thailand.

Michelin is also conducting experimental work in Brazil (Bahia), West Africa, Indonesia, and Thailand through its subsidiaries and joint-ventures.

This operational and historical presence at the heart of the industry on all continents gives Michelin legitimacy and real leverage to positively impact all practices.

Climate risk mitigation

Michelin contributes to climate-risk mitigation by fostering rubber farming that is climate-smart.

Acting for the future

Michelin works on mapping the potential long-term physical impacts of climate change on natural rubber production, and on a number of climate-smart approaches.

The Group improves its carbon footprint of the natural rubber production through the contribution to studies on rubber farming carbon sequestration (Wauters et al.,2007), minimizing the use of fertilizer (FERTIM project with IFC) and the development of a CO2eq calculator.

Pest and diseases

In partnership with research institutes Michelin works to strengthen measures preventing phytosanitary risks and the spread of diseases.

Preserving health

Ongoing and emerging rubber pests and diseases are a notable risk for natural rubber cultivation and production.

The Group is involved in research programs aimed at countering the most impactful phytosanitary threats for the sector, through the selection of genetically disease resistant varieties and wind tolerance, for instance:

- A program in Bahia, Brazil dedicated to developing varieties tolerant to microcyclus ulei

- In West Africa, with French Rubber Institute (IFC), developing varieties tolerant to the Corynespora and Colletotrichum and increased resistance to wind.