Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (“Murata”), a manufacturer of passive components, has announced a ‘significant’ licensing agreement with Michelin, the European automobile tyre manufacturer. This agreement will incorporate state-of-the-art RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tyre tags into automotive tyres, enhancing tyre management, sustainability, security, and traceability throughout their lifecycle within the transportation and automotive industries.
Murata is investing heavily in the interconnectivity and traceability of products, particularly through RFID technology.
In the future with more objects being connected, there will be a requirement to trace their origins and enable recycling. Europe is already implementing the ESPR (Eco-design for Sustainable Products Regulation) improving the circularity of products, each of them will be issued a digital product passport (DPP) allowing their life cycle to be traced.
This will also affect tyres which must contain an RFID, an essential component to obtain a DPP. This RFID, in addition to guaranteeing compatibility with new European standards, will make it possible to improve the logistics affecting the tyre and automobile industry and mobility more generally.
Michelin and Murata have worked together for some time, advancing RFID tag technology in tyres. With this new agreement, Murata will be able to produce generation 4 RFID tyre tags. Through this agreement, Murata will also have the possibility of offering the integration of RFID Tags in tyres, patented by Michelin. In the future, other tyre manufacturers around the world will have access to this solution which is scheduled to enter mass production.
In addition to offering innovative RFID tags, Murata said it was committed to helping tyre manufacturers evaluate and implement these tags into their products. It will provide tailored solutions that improve traceability and management for various applications, encompassing high-performance motorsport, passenger vehicles, and networks for global transport. Additionally, to facilitate uniform adoption of RFID technology within the industry, Murata will provide manufacturers with access to solutions based on Murata's RFID software, id-Bridge.
“RFID technology is a key element, in improving the efficiency and optimization of tire operations. This RFID tag is the unique way to identify tyres, from the cradle to the grave, in a consistent manner, thus responding to the ecological challenges of our time.
“Through this license, Murata and Michelin, hand in hand, are revolutionizing the tyre industry, by allowing stakeholders to benefit from this technology, this agreement will open up new perspectives for the future of mobility,” said Laurent Couturier, RFID system designer at Michelin. Mass production of these tags is slated to commence early next year.
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