Name Change Reflects ‘Greener’ Outlook in China

The China Tire Retreading and Utilization Association has changed its name to the China Tire Retreading, Repairing, and Recycling Association (CTRA), in response to a challenge from central government to move towards a resources-saving society and recycling economy.

CTRA President Jiang Zhiyun said that used tyres are not “junk,” but a precious resource, adding: “[Retreading is] a major channel to save energy and raw materials like rubber by recycling used tyres.”

According to statistics from the CTRA, China consumed the world’s highest total of 3.4 million tons of rubber in 2004, 70 per cent of which was imported from other countries.

Among thousands of rubber products, the auto industry took up 63 per cent of the total rubber consumption in China, including 55 per cent in tyres.
In 2004, China manufactured 239 million tyres, ranking second in the world.

Meanwhile, China produced 120 million worn tyres, and the number will continue to grow by 12 per cent year on year, CTRA statistics show.

CTRA was founded in April 1987 and is the country’s only national association for tyre retreading and recycling. In past years, CTRA has saved nearly 1.9 million tons of rubber by tyre retreading and recycling and also saved 20 billion-30 billion yuan (US$2.5 billion-3.7 billion) worth of raw materials such as steel, says the association.