Michelin chief executive Florent Menegaux set out how the partnership approach to the revitalisation of the company’s former Dundee tyre manufacturing site sets a blueprint for the sustainable transformation of industrial areas, in line with the objectives set out for COP26.
Michelin Using Past Experience to Set Out Industrial Transformation Goals
Menegaux explained that the creation of Michelin Scotland Innovation Parc (MSIP) represents a global benchmark to tackle the transformation of industry and mobility.
Michelin confirmed following a responsible restructuring that 845 out of 846 former Dundee employees had found positive outcomes, such as new jobs, full-time education or retirement.
At the climate summit’s Transforming Industrial Sites to a Net Zero Future event, the business leader explained how the 32-hectare Baldovie site, once home to small tyre manufacturing, was now operating as Michelin Scotland Innovation Parc in a partnership between Michelin, the Scottish Government and Dundee City Council. Michelin also confirmed following a responsible restructuring that 845 out of 846 former Dundee employees had found positive outcomes, such as new jobs, full-time education or retirement.
MSIP Gaining National and International Recognition as a Sustainable Business Hub
Speaking about MSIP, Menegaux stressed that the venture could not have been launched by Michelin alone, saying, “We have something that I hope will become a benchmark for a sustainable transformation of industrial areas worldwide. We have created a dedicated organisation to attract new types of industries. It is our goal to create long-lasting jobs in the same area.”
MSIP is now attracting companies working in sustainable sectors, including low carbon energy transport and mobility. As part of his visit to Scotland, Menegaux travelled to the site to see how the development is helping to restore the region’s economic dynamic, with a focus on a greener future.
At COP26, the Net Zero Industrial Cluster Exchange (NICE) was launched. The initiative is jointly funded by the Scottish Government and Michelin. The project will bring together governments and industry internationally to share policy practice and learning. The Exchange is going to be hosted by the European Policies Research Centre at the University of Strathclyde.
Michelin Looks to COP26 as an Opportunity to See Sustainability Changes Within Europe
Michelin representatives at COP26 – including Christian Metzger, plant manager at the former Michelin tyre plant in Bamberg, Germany – took part in a round table discussion, looking at opportunities and case study examples of the transformation of urban and industrial sites from across Europe. The roundtable discussion entitled People, Profit and Planet looked to opportunities and case studies to find transformation solutions for urban and industrial sites across Europe.
Honing in on Bamberg, Michelin is aiming to convert the former German tyre plant into a Clean-Tech Innovation Park, like in Dundee, providing high-quality jobs that actively contribute to the environment. This is part of the company’s goal to reach carbon neutrality status by 2050, which it is hoping to achieve by signing up for the Science Based Target Initiative. Michelin has also welcomed the 1.5 degree global temperature goal and has called on the regulatory framework to be implemented to achieve it. Menegaux capped off a successful Cop26 by calling for governments to set goals and boundaries, with companies finding concrete technical solutions.
