A new collaboration between academic research and business to create the rubber of the future

In a context marked by the ecological transition and heightened requirements for industrial performance, polymer materials such as elastomers represent a major avenue for research and development. Used in sectors as varied as automobiles, aeronautics, health, and construction, these materials must increasingly respond to imperatives of durability, recyclability, energy sobriety, and advanced functionalities. In light of these challenges, the CNRS, INSA Lyon, Lyon 1 University, and Jean Monnet University –via research teams from the Polymer Materials Engineering Laboratory–have joined forces with Michelin as part of a research project to develop new generation polymer materials.

Over the course of four years, academic and industrial scientists will work to push back the technological limits of polymer materials central to numerous critical industrial systems, doing so through three research focuses:

1) Reducing the quantity of energy needed to manufacture elastomer materials via digital simulation as well as a focus on the quality and homogeneity of resulting blends.

2) Obtaining new elastomer materials that surpass current performance limits thanks to innovative structures.

3) Increasing the environmental performance of elastomers by integrating short-loop recycling right from the polymer formulation phase.

This associated research laboratory combines the industrial expertise of Michelin with the scientific excellence of the Polymer Materials Engineering Laboratory, recognized on both the national and international level. It represents a structural initiative to develop solutions responding to contemporary industrial and environmental issues, such as reducing the carbon footprint for processes, lengthening material lifespan, and optimising their performance.

It is wholly in keeping with Michelin’s historical expertise in materials science developed over more than 130 years, in addition to its unparalleled ability to combine chemistry, material transformation, composite design, and a firm grasp of uses, spanning from basic research to industrialisation.

The new rubbers developed will have varied and strategic applications in both mobility and other sectors such as medical, aeronautics, and high-performance industrial equipment. Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes is the ideal territory for the development of this joint laboratory, thanks to its thriving scientific ecosystem and the support of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region, which fosters ambitious partnerships between academic research and industry.

PolMixLab is the 10th active associated research laboratory between the CNRS and Michelin.
 

“The CNRS is pleased with the creation of PolMixLab, a new associated research laboratory with Michelin, a leading partner with which it has a longstanding relation of trust since the 1990s, one that is structured by a framework-agreement renewed multiple times and nearly forty collaborations each year. This associated research laboratory, which also includes INSA Lyon, Lyon 1 University, and Jean Monnet University, marks a new stage in this cooperation by developing polymer materials that offer higher performance, and are more recyclable and sober in energy.“
Mehdi Gmar
The CNRS Chief Innovation Officer

“With PolMixLab, Michelin is strengthening its ability to anticipate and accompany major industrial and environmental issues connected to materials. By combining our unparalleled expertise in materials science and polymer composites with the academic excellence of our partners, we strive to invent rubbers that offer higher performance, and are more durable and sober in energy. This research indeed includes the development of materials from biosourced resources, as well as control over material life cycle assessment, with a view to creating innovative solutions offering reduced environmental impact in the service of mobility, along with numerous industrial applications beyond tyres.”
Christophe Moriceau
VP Advanced Research for the Michelin Group

“PolMixLab illustrates the capacity of Lyon 1 University to develop structural research partnerships where scientific excellence meets industrial and environmental issues. By mobilising our expertise in materials science alongside our academic partners and Michelin, we help develop innovative solutions for materials that offer higher performance and are more suitable for the uses of the future.”
Bruno Lina
The President of Lyon 1 University
 

“PolMixLab embodies the shared commitment of Jean Monnet University and its academic partners to a common ambition: to combine cutting-edge research with ecological transition. Drawing on our recognised expertise in polymer materials, we develop innovative and sustainable solutions that align with the evolving challenges and requirements of industry. This joint laboratory also exemplifies the capacity of academic research and the industrial sector to collaborate closely in addressing pressing societal and environmental issues."
Florent Pigeon
President of Jean Monnet University

"Whether through our research laboratories, our foundation, our technology transfer subsidiary INSAVALOR, student challenges, or the outstanding careers of our graduates, INSA Lyon enjoys a long-standing and privileged partnership with Michelin. We are particularly delighted and proud to embark today on this new phase of our collaboration, as we continue to tackle together ambitious challenges in polymer materials innovation and ecological transition."

Frédéric Fotiadu
Director of INSA Lyon

"Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes is a land of innovation, and our leadership in materials science stems from three key success factors embodied by PolMixLab: the scale of our industrial players in the field, the academic excellence of our research laboratories, and a Region that actively supports its ecosystem. Two years ago, we made the strategic choice to launch the 'Sustainable Materials' call for projects to support the sector in its transformation and address the market’s evolving technical and ecological demands. With €9 million already invested and 15 projects funded across the region, this initiative reflects our political commitment: to build public-private research partnerships that drive our companies’ strategic vision and enhance their economic performance. Maintaining our position as France’s leading industrial region is an ongoing effort, built day by day through excellence-driven projects like this one."
Catherine Staron
Vice-President of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region, responsible for secondary schools, higher education, research, and innovation

 

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From left to right: Christophe Moriceau, VP Advanced Research for the Michelin Group, Frédéric Fotiadu, Director of INSA Lyon, Mehdi Gmar, CNRS Chief Innovation Officer, Catherine Staron, Vice-President of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region, responsible for secondary schools, higher education, research, and innovation, Jannick Duchet-Rumeau, Director of IMP and Co-Head of the LabCom, Salvatore Pagano, Co-Head of the LabCom, Bruno Lina, President of Lyon 1 University, Christelle Bahier-Porte, Vice-President for Research at Jean Monnet University, Mohammed Benlahsen, Regional Delegate for Higher Education, Research, and Innovation in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Academic Region. 

© Justine Dascotte, Office of Communications / Lyon 1 University 

Éric Le Roux, Office of Communications / Lyon 1 University

About the CNRS

A major player in basic research worldwide, the National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) is the only French organisation active in all scientific fields. Its unique position as a multi-specialist enables it to bring together all of the scientific disciplines in order to shed light on and understand the challenges of today's world, in connection with public and socio-economic stakeholders. Together, the different sciences contribute to sustainable progress that benefits society as a whole. www.cnrs.fr
 

About Michelin

Michelin is building a world-leading manufacturer of life-changing composites and experiences. Pioneering engineered materials for more than 130 years, Michelin is uniquely positioned to make decisive contributions to human progress and to a more sustainable world. Drawing on its deep know-how in polymer composites, Michelin is constantly innovating to manufacture high-quality tires and components for critical applications in demanding fields as varied as mobility, construction, aeronautics, low-carbon energies, and healthcare. The care placed in its products and deep customer knowledge inspire Michelin to offer the finest experiences. This spans from providing data- and AI-based connected solutions for professional fleets to recommending outstanding restaurants and hotels curated by the MICHELIN Guide. Based in Clermont-Ferrand, France, Michelin operates in 175 countries and employs 129,800 people.
 

About Lyon 1 University

The Lyon 1 University of Science, Technology, Health and Sport has more than 49,000 students and has been offering excellent training and cutting-edge research in an attractive environment for more than 50 years. The 5,000 staff members who make up the University work every day to provide a demanding educational program that is as close as possible to the reality of research, and is supported by 2,800 teacher-researchers. Its staff are also involved on a daily basis in developing high-quality research, carried out within 88 research units equipped with unique facilities. Lyon 1 University is also an innovative university that has seen the creation of nearly 30 start-ups since 2020. Research at Lyon 1 University is interdisciplinary and focused on the major societal challenges of our time, helping to advance science in France and internationally.

About INSA Lyon

Jean Monnet University (UJM) Saint-Étienne is a multidisciplinary public institution with 21,000 students, bringing together faculties, schools, institutes, and graduate programs across six major fields: Arts, Humanities and Languages; Social Sciences; Law, Economics and Management; Science, Technology and Engineering; Health; and Architecture. Formed as an experimental public institution (EPE) with the integration of ENSASE, UJM hosts 24 research laboratories and 6 doctoral schools. Deeply rooted in its region and open to the world, it pursues an active partnership strategy with academic, socio-economic, cultural, and institutional stakeholders. As a member of the European alliance Transform4Europe (T4EU), it is part of a dynamic international network of universities.

À propos de INSA Lyon

Founded in 1957, the Institut National des Sciences Appliquées de Lyon (INSA Lyon) trains humanist engineers to address the socio-ecological and digital challenges of an ever-evolving world. Each year, INSA Lyon welcomes over 6,000 students and 600 doctoral candidates, and graduates more than 1,000 engineers and 150 PhD holders. As a globally engaged institution, INSA Lyon has built a network of over 200 academic partners across five continents and hosts nearly 80 different nationalities on its campus. Committed to social inclusion and diversity, INSA Lyon pursues an active policy in this area through its Gaston Berger Institute. The School also conducts intensive, responsible, and collaborative research, supported by 22 laboratories. INSA Lyon is part of the Groupe INSA, France’s leading network of public graduate engineering schools, which currently includes 7 institutions and 5 partner schools nationwide. INSA Lyon is also a member of the Lyon Saint-Étienne College of Engineering, established in 2022 alongside Centrale Lyon, ENTPE, and Mines Saint-Étienne.
 

About Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region

With 24% of France’s national plastics industry workforce, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes is a key European player in the sector. To support the excellence of its industrial fabric and academic laboratories, the Region has invested €273 million since 2021 in research and innovation. This investment is designed to ensure the territory’s competitiveness and bolster its strategic and high-value industries.

 

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CONTACTS : 

Presse CNRS
Manon Landurant
01 44 96 51 37
manon.landurant@cnrs.fr

Presse Michelin
Solenne Attias-Lemercier
O6 08 22 47 12
solenne.attia-lemercier@michelin.com