Michelin’s start-up, AirCaptif, in partnership with Dassault, unveiled its latest brain-child, the FALCON 6X aircraft range. AirCaptif is a specialist in ultralight, inflatable structures.

According to Michelin, as part of its growth plan, AirCaptif announced Michelin’s facility in Bourges Saint-Doulchard – in the heart of one of France’s aeronautical and defense ecosystems – as the centre for the industrial production of this technology. In addition, the company states that it plans to double its activity on the site, starting in 2023, and invest in the recruitment of new talent. In fact, as part of its expansion, AirCaptif is budgeting to double its turnover, starting in 2023, and hire some thirty skilled professionals in France’s Yvelines department, to the west of Paris. The company is currently hiring for its existing facility in Trappes and its future extension in Elancourt, planned to be operational in January 2023, as per Michelin. AirCaptif’s solutions are soon to be in industrial-scale production in Michelin’s facility in Bourges, the tyre company claims.

Michelin also states that prior to being commissioned, such aircrafts are required to perform extremely demanding certification trials. One of the tests checks the reliability of the aircraft cabin’s lightning resistance. This test, High Intensity Radiated Field (HIRF), is mandatory for the plane to be compliant with the electromagnetic standards from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

In these certification trials for such aircrafts, Dassault verifies the resistance of critical systems (flight commands and calculations) to electromagnetic interference. Whereas the classic trial method requires two weeks of tests for the FALCON 6X, AirCaptif reduces this time to just three days, at a much reduced cost, according to Michelin.

Michelin states that the innovation comprises three elements – 

1. A huge eight-metre-high inflatable Faraday cage, with a 900-sq mt footprint.
2. An inflatable mechanical mixer placed alongside the aircraft to mix the electromagnetic waves.
3. A system of inflatable coaxial insulation to provide an earth connection for the lightning strike.

Furthermore, as per the multinational tyre manufacturing company, the AirCaptif technology has several advantages. With its super light structure being easily transportable and capable of being installed directly in the aircraft’s assembly hangar, investment costs and trial time are significantly reduced. Moreover, the speed of installation is a real plus, states Michelin. Whereas it takes two years to build a conventional Faraday cage, this solution is operational in a single day.

Besides, future developments for the Trappes-based company involve enlarging the Bourges facility and starting industrial production early in 2024. According to Michelin, the choice of Michelin’s aeronautic site, celebrating 70 years of pioneering activity in the sector, will enable AirCaptif to take full advantage of the region’s aeronautic and defense ecosystem, and continue the group’s industrial experience. In addition, the geographic location of Bourges, situated midway between the technical teams in Trappes and Michelin’s R&D facility in Clermont-Ferrand, will further strengthen the existing synergies.

Sharing her views, Maude Portigliatti, Business Director – High Technology Materials, Michelin, and member of the Group’s executive committee, says, “The growth in AirCaptif’s activities is the result of the company’s extraordinary ability to innovate, and the partnership with Dassault is a shining example. AirCaptif, with the relevance of its technical solutions, is yet another example of Michelin’s savoir-faire in the use of leading-edge technological innovation and the strategic ambitions of the Group beyond the world of tyres.”

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Birla Carbon will present its carbon black solutions at the Global Polymer Summit 2026, scheduled for 28–30 September at the Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville. The company will exhibit at Booth 417, targeting tyre and mechanical rubber goods (MRG) manufacturers seeking higher performance and reduced environmental impact.

The company’s portfolio spans tyre and MRG applications, addressing durability, strength, abrasion resistance and product life across tyres, belts, hoses, sealing systems and anti-vibration products. Birla Carbon will also feature Continua Sustainable Carbonaceous Material (SCM), a circular carbon range with consistent quality and global availability and Continua Sustainable Carbon Black (SCB), produced from recycled or bio-based feedstocks.

Supported by extensive manufacturing, technical expertise and customer-focused teams across the Americas, Birla Carbon provides reliable volumes, responsive service and tailored solutions. Attendees can meet company experts at Booth 417 to explore its product portfolio, technical capabilities and sustainable offerings.

John Davidson, President – Americas & EMEA, Birla Carbon, said, “The tyre and mechanical rubber goods industries are at an important phase, where performance, supply resilience and sustainability must advance together. The next phase of growth will depend on stronger collaboration across the value chain and the ability to translate innovation into scalable, commercially viable solutions. At Birla Carbon, we are combining our manufacturing network, portfolio strength, technical expertise and regional capabilities to help customers navigate this transition and build more resilient and sustainable businesses.”

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Michelin has unveiled the X Multi Energy D2 tyre, developed to address the specific challenges of regional haul operations. Fleets in this segment face demanding roads, frequent stop-and-start cycles and escalating fuel expenses that affect both performance and profitability. By blending durability, fuel savings and Michelin’s established performance standards, the new tyre aims to boost fleet productivity while reducing overall operating costs.

The tyre features a revised tread pattern and a new tread compound to better resist tread damage caused by high-torque vehicles and stop-and-go regional driving. It is constructed on Michelin’s Duracore casing, which integrates Infinicoil and Powercoil technologies and benefits from a reinforced bead design known as Duracoil Technology. This casing is engineered to last up to one million miles and support as many as four retreads.

In the effort to curb fuel expenses, the X Multi Energy D2 improves rolling resistance by 9 percent over its predecessor, the Michelin X Multi Energy D tyre, and by 18 percent compared with leading competitors. It also enhances late-life traction, offering 10 percent better wet handling and 16 percent better snow starting traction when worn, giving drivers and operations managers greater confidence on varying roads.

For original equipment manufacturers, the tyre meets Greenhouse Gas standards and supports applicable vehicle carbon-reduction requirements. Designed for regional applications where traction, durability and fuel efficiency matter, it is available in 295/75R22.5 LRG and 11R22.5 LRG and LRH sizes, replacing the X Multi Energy D tyre in those sizes.

Yahn Heurlin, VP of B2B Marketing, Michelin North America, Inc., said, “Michelin is driven by a deep commitment to understanding the needs and challenges customers face every day. This customer-first mindset inspires the development of purpose-built solutions designed to address real-world pain points and help fleets operate more efficiently.”

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Firestone, a Bridgestone Americas subsidiary, has unveiled the Destination LE4 highway touring tyre as the successor to its best-selling Destination LE3. The new model features a deeper tread depth, an advanced compound and a non-directional tread pattern, delivering longer wear life along with improved wet and light snow performance for year-round driving confidence.

Backed by a 70,000-mile limited warranty, the Destination LE4 is projected in external testing to wear 16 percent longer than its predecessor, 9 percent longer than the General Grabber H/T and 43 percent longer than the BFGoodrich Advantage Control HT. Thinner 3D sipes enhance traction and handling, while internal testing showed wet stopping distances reduced by 8 feet versus the Toyo Open Country H/T II and 4 feet versus the BFGoodrich Advantage Ctrl HT, with dry stopping improved by 8 feet and 2 feet, respectively, plus a 2-foot dry gain over the LE3.

Sustainability gains come through wear-resistance technology, optimised material usage that lowers raw material consumption and enhanced traction technology. Two technical firsts originated at the Bridgestone Americas Technology Center in Akron, Ohio: a high-strength, lightweight carcass architecture using light body plies and steel cords for durability and low rolling resistance despite deeper tread, and advanced compound mixing that improves ingredient consistency for tread wear, handling and wet grip.

Available in 65 sizes for 15- to 22-inch rims, the Destination LE4 covers small CUVs, SUVs, pickups and larger trucks, including the Mazda CX-5, Ford F-150, RAM 1500, Chevrolet Trailblazer and Nissan Armada.

Jeremy Norwood, Chief Engineer, New Product Engineering, Bridgestone Americas, said, “Drivers loved the Firestone Destination LE3 for its comfortable, quiet ride and all-season reliability. With the new Destination LE4, we enhanced those strengths by extending wear life and improving wet-weather handling, delivering dependable performance, confident control and everyday value.”

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The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. has announced that Y.T. Rubber Co., Ltd. (YTRC), its Thai subsidiary focused on natural rubber processing, earned the Outstanding Provincial-Level CSR Organization Award. The honour formed part of the ‘CSR Award 2026’ initiative run by Thailand’s Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, and the presentation took place on 22 August 2026.

Built around the idea of ‘CSR Partnerships for Sustainable Thailand’, the award programme highlights organisations demonstrating exemplary corporate social responsibility at provincial or metropolitan level throughout the country’s 76 provinces and Bangkok. A total of 92 recipients – among them YTRC, other firms and bodies chosen nationwide and provincial CSR centres – convened at IMPACT Challenger Hall in Nonthaburi Province to collect commemorative plaques.

Governor Jumpot Wannachatsiri (left) presents flowers to YTRC Managing Director Noboru Takita (centre) and Department Manager Supachai Choosuwan at the Surat Thani Provincial Council.

YTRC, established in Surat Thani Province in 2008, has long pursued environmental preservation and dependable ties with nearby communities. Working with the Rubber Authority of Thailand (RAOT), it surveys natural rubber plantations and supplies management assistance to farmers, supporting sustainable procurement of the material. The company further backs agroforestry practices that give rubber farmers steadier incomes while partnering with the Surat Thani Provincial Office of Social Development and Human Security on efforts to nurture constructive community relations.

The recognition reflects YTRC’s continuous community-oriented CSR work and its notable local impact. A special event on 31 August saw the Surat Thani Provincial Council once more acknowledge those contributions, with the governor presenting a celebratory bouquet. Separately, the CSR Center of Surat Thani Province ranked among only nine centres nationwide to win the Outstanding Provincial CSR Promotion Center Award.

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