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international news
Nearly 50 DHL Express vans would run on Michelin Unique Punture-Proof Tyre System (UPTIS) airless tyres
to make last-mile deliveries in Singapore by the end of 2023. The UPTIS tyre is devel- oped in association with Maxion, the suppli-
This pilot programme began with the from 10th January. With this partnership between DHL and Michelin, the French tyremaker says its airless prototype tyre has taken another step forward. One Michelin UPTIS tyres are now marketed in real-world conditions.
The Michelin UPTIS prototype is a punc- ture-proof wheel/tyre assembly with no compressed air and is intended for cars and light vans. The air is replaced by a revolutionary structure capable of sup- porting the vehicle. This ensures the wheel’s robustness and guarantees driv- ing comfort and safety. It was designed as a plug-and-play solution that allows users to drive conveniently and not worry about road hazards impacting the tyres. It also limits the number of tyres scrapped due to punctures.
With the Michelin UPTIS tyre, DHL could - sure business continuity as tyre pressure issues and punctures are eliminated. This would lower the frequency of tyre re- placement, leading to less wastage.
“As a pioneer in green logistics, we are excited to partner Michelin to trial its air- less tyres on our vehicles in Singapore. have since converted 80 vehicles in our - oration marks another milestone for us as we set out to green our last mile opera- tions and achieve net-zero carbon emis- sions across the DHL network globally,” says Christopher Ong, Managing Direc- tor at DHL Express Singapore.
“Michelin UPTIS is a major breakthrough - sult of some 50 patents linked to the tyre’s structure and high-tech materials. It demonstrates Michelin’s capacity for innovation in favour of safer mobility that is better for the environment. We are de- lighted that DHL trusts Michelin to equip - TIS tyres, marketed one year ahead of schedule,” declared Bruno De Feraudy, Director of OEM activities for the Michelin Group.
Airless technology is seen as the key to Michelin’s vision of a fully sustainable tyre by 2050. Today, 20 per cent of tyres are blowouts (12 per cent) or irregular wear and tear caused by poor tyre pressure (eight per cent). Based on internal re- search, Michelin projects that UPTIS air- less technology could prevent premature scrapping of up to 200 million tyres a year worldwide or two million tonnes of materi- al – a material savings roughly equivalent
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