christian garcia
June 06, 2023
The CEMA (Michelin-Almería Experience Center) is one of the group’s most important tire test centers worldwide. This 2023 reaches half a century of life.
In the heart of the Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park, in Almería, there has been a kind of essential laboratory for the active safety of our vehicles for 50 years now. We talk about Almeria Michelin Center which, thanks to its advanced technology and the more than 100 km of its test tracks, makes continuous progress possible in everything related to the improvement and evolution of the only element that directly connects the car with the surface.
Tires: tips, use and maintenance
Michelin, committed to sustainability
In addition to being one of the most important tire test centers in the world in terms of development, it is called to also be one of the benchmarks in terms of sustainable mobility it means. In fact, the French company’s plans call for all its compounds to be made by 2050 with 100% sustainable, recycled or biologically-sourced materials, and CEMA will undoubtedly play a crucial role in this project.
Its facilities occupy a whopping 4,500 hectares and the total built area exceeds 60,000 square meters; all this, as we say, so that about 200 experts day by day study new possibilities to optimize the operation of a tire. The 20 million kilometers that they travel there every year is a clear example of the dedication and work done.
Historical summary of the Michelin Center in Almería
The CEMA machinery launched on January 2, 1973and since then there have been several milestones that are of special interest in its history:
- 1975: Creation of test track for tractor tires and start of tests with touring tires.
- 1976: First tests with truck tires.
- 1978: First tests with automated vehicles, without Need to driver.
- 1982: They begin to work the firstlamination machines, X-rays and ultrasounds.
- 1984: Collaboration of the company in the creation of the Cabo de Gata Natural Park–Nijar.
- 1988: First tests with airplane tires.
- 1992: Track tests of the Spirit Of Biei solar car–Bienne 111.
- nineteen ninety five: YOBeginning of the rental of facilities to manufacturers.
- 1999: Declaration of public interest and first vehicles directed by GPS systems.
- 2000: Development of tires for the CAT 797, the largest dumper in the world.
- 2002: Certification as a Safe Center by AUDELCO.
- 2003: Design, construction and commissioning of high performance simulators for truck tires.
- 2005: ISO certification–14001 of environmental management system.
- 2012: Michelin Reference Center at the WBCSD (World Business Council for Sustainable Development.)
- 2015: Arrival of the first robotic arm and scanning electron microscope.
- 2020: New test methods: agricultural S14 roller and D38 dumper (CAT797F.)
