Michelin Group, the French multinational manufacturer of tires and other rubber products, is becoming a sustainable mobility leader. In February 2021, Michelin set targets to achieve 40% sustainable materials (of recycled or renewable origin) in its tires by 2030 and 100% by 2050.
During the 2021 Movin’ On global sustainability summit, the global tire manufacturer presented WISAMO – a wind-powered ‘Wing Sail Mobility’ project aimed at decarbonizing the global maritime industry.
WISAMO, designed in collaboration between Michelin R&D and two Swiss inventors, is part of the company’s long-term goal of reducing global maritime transport emissions by more than 50% by 2050. Michelin’s WISAMO project provides an automated, telescopic, inflatable wind sail system that fits all kinds of commercial cargo and freight ships by enacting a plug-and-socket installment system.
The inflatable sails are designed as a supplementary power source for cargo and freight ships and increase efficiency. The sails would work in addition to the ships’ engines, propelling the vessels forward by harnessing wind energy.
Since WISAMO is retractable and inflatable, it can be effortlessly folded over the ship’s deck when not in use. The sails’ telescopic foldable design allows the vessel to pass under bridges or cruise through storms without damaging the sails. The retractable sails unfurl with the push of a button via an automated system that uses an air compressor for inflation.
World-renowned French skipper and sailor Michel Desjoyeaux is a WISAMO ambassador and tester. He has offered his input and technical knowledge while collaborating with the Michelin team to help develop WISAMO.
During the WISAMO debut at the sustainability summit, Desjoyeaux pointed out, “the advantage of wind propulsion is that wind energy is clean, free, universal, and totally non-controversial. It offers a very promising avenue to improving the environmental impact of merchant ships.”
Watch an overview of the WISAMO project in the video below.
