Michelin announced that its VISION concept tire will be featured in an upcoming Smithsonian exhibit of advances in scientific understanding and technology that simulate nature.

In spring 2019, Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum will join Cube design museum in Kerkrade, Netherlands, in presenting the jointly organized exhibition "Nature — Cooper Hewitt Design Triennial," which will open simultaneously at both museums. On view May 10 through Jan. 20, 2020, the Design Triennial will feature innovative projects, from 2016 and later, that highlight ways designers are collaborating with scientists, engineers, farmers, environmentalists and nature itself to design a more harmonious and regenerative future.

Michelin revealed its innovative VISION concept at the Movin'On Summit in 2017. Advanced materials and 3D-printing technologies will be used to manufacture and renew the tread of this mobility solution, making it 100 percent recyclable. The features of this concept that enhance its sustainability:

An airless tire made of biosourced and recycled products
A connected ecosystem within the tire, providing services and advice to the driver
A biodegradable tread that can be renewed with a 3D printer
A mobility solution that reduces the environmental footprint of car journeys

International in scope, "Nature" will include more than 60 groundbreaking works across various design disciplines — including architecture, urbanism, product design, landscape design, fashion and communication design — that enhance and reimagine humans' relationship to the natural world. The exhibition seeks to inspire ideas, collaboration and dialogue to address the most significant and consequential environmental and humanitarian issues.

At Movin'On 2018, Michelin announced its ambition to ensure that by 2048, its tires will be manufactured using up to 80 percent sustainable materials. Michelin tires are currently made using 28 percent sustainable materials (26 percent biosourced materials like natural rubber, sunflower oil, limonene etc., and 2 percent recycled materials such as steel or recycled powdered tires). For a sustainable future, Michelin is investing in high technology recycling technologies to be able to increase this content to 80 percent sustainable materials.

Michelin announced a second ambition to spare no effort so that by 2048, 100 percent of all tires are collected worldwide and valorized. Today, the worldwide recovery rate for tires is 70 percent and the recycling rate is 50 percent.

Inaugurated in 2000, the Triennial series looks at new developments in design as they surface in studios, fairs, shops, galleries and media around the world.

Tagged: Smithsonian Design Museum

Michelin VISION Tire to be featured in Smithsonian Museum Exhibit