Michelin Retread Technologies (MRT) has introduced the first self-regenerating retread, the XDA Hypersipe. It uses Michelin-patented tread design and siping technology to mold tread features on both the top and bottom of a Pre-Cure tread band. Sipes molded into the bottom of the tread appear as the tire wears, providing improved worn traction over the life of the retread.

The bottom sipes appear at approximately half tread depth and last literally down to the last usable 32nd of tread, which allows the retreaded tire to be removed from service later in life and also provides performance and savings benefits. Wet-weather handling is said to be noticeably improved.

“The Michelin Hypersipe maximizes the potential of pre-cure retreading,” said John Melson, research director for truck tires at Michelin Americas Research and Development Corp. “The underside of the tread package had been a forgotten frontier for innovation. Now it’s delivering a real performance benefit that helps maintain the traction of the retread consistently over its entire life cycle.”

XDA Hypersipe treads are now in production at MRT’s recently expanded tread-pressing plant in Covington, Ga., where capacity has doubled to include the technology required to produce the new treads. They became commercially available in limited quantities in the 230mm tread width in August. Michelin plans to add more sizes in the future.