Michelin to power its Chennai plant with renewable energy

Michelin India has signed a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with CleanMax Enviro Energy Solutions for supply of green energy for its factory at Thervoy Kandigai, near Chennai, which will increase the total contribution of renewable energy to 37% from current 11% and account for  a reduction of 11,712 tons of CO2 emissions annually.

Speaking on the collaboration, Florent Chaussade, Plant Director, Michelin Chennai stated: “Because Michelin is aware of the need to preserve natural resources and earth systems to conduct its business sustainably, we deeply care about the environmental impacts of our operations. In India, we have been a pioneer in adopting multiple innovative green initiatives both inside and around outside our factory. Our partnership with CleanMax is one more concrete step by Michelin in India to contribute to our global green mission.”

Michelin India has led numerous green projects in Chennai around its state-of-the-art manufacturing plant as part of the Michelin Group’s global green mission on reaching climate targets, and commitment to becoming carbon-neutral by 2050.

In 2019, the company set out to shift the facility from fossil fuel-based energy to renewable energy. Later in 2020, the company installed a roof-top plant covering around 45% of the roof area, delivering 11% of the factory’s energy demands and helping to reduce 9,856 tons of CO2 emissions until January 2023.

Kuldeep Jain, MD CleanMax, said, “In 2020 CleanMax completed a 4.2 MW onsite solar PV project for Michelin Group, and we have since become their preferred sustainability partner, as seen by this current PPA for this approximately 11 MW solar PV project. We are excited to assist Michelin in their quest to become more sustainable by implementing innovative green, clean energy solutions.”

To conserve and support lower emissions, the Michelin Chennai factory has undertaken several steps under its 4R strategy (reduce, reuse, recycle, and renew) in every operation. It is a ‘Zero Liquid Discharge’ manufacturing facility, wherein the company ensures that the water used in the facility is treated and consumed within. Around 22,090 trees have been planted over 30 hectares to enhance the green cover and help ensure 145 tonnes of CO2 absorption annually.