Revolutionizing Tire Manufacturing with RFID Technology: Beontag & Michelin Partnership

Overview

In a project that took its first steps almost six years ago, Beontag partnered with world-leading tire manufacturer Michelin to develop and implement RFID-enabled "smart tires". The brands worked closely to design and develop a unit embedded in the tire which includes the serial number, and can help provide key information throughout its lifetime including date and location of manufacture, maintenance schedule and more.

The device, named TireTag Gen4, serves to enhance traceability, optimize lifecycle management, and meet emerging regulatory requirements. This collaboration between Michelin and Beontag represents a breakthrough in the automotive industry, demonstrating how RFID technology can revolutionize tire tracking, performance, and sustainability.

The Challenge

Since the early 1970s, tire tracking and traceability have relied on alphanumeric codes known as Tire Identification Numbers (TINs), which are molded into the sidewall of each tire. These codes, regulated by authorities such as the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the European Tyre and Rim Technical Organisation (ETRTO), provide key information on the manufacturer, plant of origin, production date, and more. However, this method has limitations: TINs require manual inspection, are prone to wear and fading over time, and do not provide real-time data.

As a result, the global tire industry has faced significant challenges in ensuring efficient supply chain management, maintaining regulatory compliance, and promoting sustainability. Some of the key challenges include:

• Traceability & Compliance: Upcoming Digital Product Passport (DPP) regulations require tire manufacturers to implement unique identification solutions.
• Lifecycle Optimization: Tires must be tracked from production to end-of-life to enable efficient retreading, recycling, and disposal.
• Technical Barriers: Embedding RFID in tires poses technical challenges, including high temperatures, pressure resistance, and interference from rubber and metal components.
• Scalability & Cost: Any solution must be viable for mass production while ensuring cost-effectiveness for global adoption.

The Solution

Through extensive R&D and testing, Beontag and Michelin jointly developed TireTag Gen4, a state-of-the-art embedded RFID solution that meets these industry challenges. Key aspects of the solution include:

• Advanced RFID Technology: The TireTag Gen4 is compliant with ISO 20909 and 20910 standards with SGTIN-96 compliant memory, ensuring durability and high readability across harsh conditions and long-term, heavy-duty use.
• Jointly-Designed: Beontag and Michelin optimized the design of TireTag Gen4 for improved performance in high temperature and high pressure, ensuring functionality across various tire types, from passenger vehicles to commercial fleets.
• Dual-Vendor IC Support: By integrating NXP and Impinj chips, the solution offers flexibility and supply chain security.
• Seamless Integration: The technology enables automated inbound and outbound logistics, improves fleet management, and supports digital authentication and anti-counterfeit measures.

Results and Benefits

The implementation of RFID technology in Michelin tires has already delivered several tangible benefits:

• Enhanced Traceability: Tires can be tracked from production to end-of-life, facilitating compliance with EU regulations.
• Operational Efficiency: Automated tracking reduces manual errors, improves supply chain visibility, and accelerates inventory management.
• Sustainability Impact: TireTag Gen4 supports circular economy initiatives by enabling effective and timely retreading and recycling.
• Improved Fleet Management: RFID facilitates vehicle identification for tolling, parking, and digital transactions.
• Market Readiness: The first commercially available tires equipped with TireTag Gen4 are rolling out during Q1 2025, with broader adoption expected across Europe and Asia throughout the rest of the decade.

Looking Ahead

RFID technology in tires plays a pivotal role in optimizing operations and enhancing efficiency, says Laurent Couturier, RFID System Designer at Michelin. “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.”

As the global automotive sector moves toward increased digitalization and regulatory compliance combined with sustainability efforts, the Michelin-Beontag partnership sets a new standard for smart tire solutions while redefining customer experience in the automotive sector. With RFID technology paving the way for enhanced efficiency and sustainability, this collaboration represents a significant milestone in the evolution of tire manufacturing.