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Thanks to its subsidiary ResiCare, Michelin unveils a bio-based, non-toxic resin for brake pads, offering an effective and eco-friendly alternative to traditional solutions. This is the first resin to substitute formal aldehyde by a new molecule.
As a global tire leader, Michelin takes a significant step forward by expanding its expertise beyond tires. Developed with a responsible approach, this innovative resin delivers equivalent performance to existing solutions while adhering to a more sustainable, environmentally, and health-conscious approach.
The story began in 2008 when a Michelin researcher embarked on a quest to find an alternative to adhesives commonly used in tires. The goal was to eliminate the toxicity generated by formaldehyde. Indeed, it is classified by REACH*, European regulation, as “Carcinogen 1B, Mutagen 2, Skin sensitizer… It meets the SVHC* criteria.” Furthermore, the molecule has been under pressure recently in the US and Europe. A new restriction was published in July 2023 regarding the exposure to formaldehyde in some automotive interiors for consumer safety. This context gives a general feeling that traditional chemistry needs to evolve.
That’s why ResiCare technology is the first to address this industrial challenge. Their perseverance led to a groundbreaking discovery: a non-toxic, bio-based resin that offers equivalent properties to phenolic resins.

Convinced of the potential of this innovation, Michelin supported the creation of ResiCare, a subsidiary dedicated to exploiting this technology in many applications. Today, RESICARE successfully deploys its resin in numerous fields with conclusive results, particularly in brake pads.
The ResiCare team doesn’t stop there. Determined to contribute to a cleaner and healthier industry, they are tackling numerous markets: textile reinforcement, wood, insulations, composites, and brake pads.
Indeed, the phenolic resins traditionally used in this crucial component pose risks to health and the environment, as mentioned earlier. Leveraging their expertise, ResiCare researchers have developed a powdered resin specifically designed for brake pads. Initial results obtained are encouraging.
Resicare is reaching out to partners who share its vision of a cleaner and more sustainable industry. Here is what Laurent Lemonnier, CEO of Resicare, says: “We are now bringing the technology to selected partners who are willing to test such an innovative solution. But we have to be selective to pick the right partners.”
* Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals.
* Substance of Very High Concern
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