Pneus RFID

Did you know that tires can have their own "identity card"? Recently, the global tire manufacturer Michelin and the smart tag company Beontag announced an in-depth collaboration to launch a "smart tire" equipped with an integrated RFID chip. This tire not only records its "life story" but also proactively complies with environmental regulations, making it a true "smart butler" for the tire industry.

Small Tag, Big Power

This tag, called RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), measures only about 1x1x6 millimeters, the size of a grain of rice. It is cleverly integrated inside the tire without affecting its strength or safety. Despite its small size, it is extremely durable—capable of withstanding the high temperatures of vulcanization during tire production, as well as high pressure, wear, and extreme temperature differences during driving. Its lifespan matches that of the tire and even allows tracking up to one million kilometers.

More importantly, each tag stores unique and encrypted identity information, preventing counterfeiting and protecting user privacy; it cannot be read without authorization.

A Single "Signature" Throughout the Lifecycle

With this smart identity card, every stage of a tire's life, from its "birth" to its "retirement," is clearly recorded:

Production: Records the rubber formula, production batch, vulcanization parameters, etc., enabling traceability from the source.

Storage and Logistics: Automated inventory checks via reading and writing equipment significantly improve efficiency and reduce errors and omissions.

Usage Period: Vehicle owners or fleet managers can access tire specifications, usage time, and wear status at any time to scientifically plan maintenance.

Recycling Phase: Helps quickly identify materials and history, optimizes sorting, and facilitates tire "recycling."

Why Launch Now? Key Factor: New EU Regulations

A crucial context for this collaboration is the future mandatory EU Digital Product Passport (DPP) system. According to the EU regulation on sustainable product ecodesign, from late 2028 to 2030, the tire industry will gradually need to equip each tire with a DPP; otherwise, it will be banned from entering the EU market.

The Digital Product Passport (DPP) acts as a "green digital archive" of the product, requiring the recording of information throughout its lifecycle, from raw materials, production, transport, and use to recycling, including carbon footprint and recyclable components. RFID technology is the ideal medium to achieve this goal. The collaboration between Michelin and Beontag demonstrates proactive planning, both to comply with regulations and to lead the industry toward digitization and sustainability.

The Industry Trend is Here, the Future is Smarter

Currently, the RFID tire market is growing rapidly, and digital traceability has become a clear trend. Michelin has extensive R&D experience in tires and the global market, while Beontag excels in smart tag technology. The two companies complement each other, overcoming the challenge of integrating tags into tire manufacturing processes.

The two companies began related R&D in 2019, and the technology is now mature. They plan to deploy tens of millions of smart tires on the market within the next two years, covering passenger cars and commercial vehicles. Feedback from some pilot areas has been positive.

In the future, these smart tires will not only facilitate management and contribute to environmental protection but could also become part of the Internet of Vehicles (IoV), enabling smarter applications—such as "communicating" directly with vehicle systems to remind users of maintenance and even predict safety risks.

Tires, once seemingly "silent" components, are becoming capable of "talking," "remembering," and "tracing." This is not just a technological breakthrough but also a crucial step for the entire industry in its transformation toward a safer, more efficient, and more sustainable future.