Goodway: Why Products Have to be Pine Tar Free

Pine tar has a long history. It is renowned for its sticky properties and is used heavily in the tyre retreading business. As a common component used by rubber compound manufacturers to produce cushion gum, it serves as a medium to bind the pre-cured tread liner to the buffed tyre casing during the retreading process.

However, not many people are aware of the health dangers linked with prolonged exposure to pine tar. When used in certain rubber retreads, it reportedly emits fumes that are said to lead to asthma, eye and lung irritation – and even cancer. The Environment Directorate of the European Commission that restricts the marketing and use of various biocides considered hazardous to human health and to the environment, included pine-tar its list in September 2006 (http://www.european-maritime-heritage.org/EMHsite/Projects/pinetar.htm). Likewise, the European Union directive on health and safety has also banned pine tar that is used in various industries, closing down the possibility of its future use within certain limits.

Following the standards set by industrialized nations, Goodway Rubber took the step of investing in the R&D necessary to substitute pine tar with another component in its manufacturing process. And the result, the pine-tar-free Supercool cushion gum was produced. Supercool cushion gum is not only non-toxic, but it is also said to be tackier and has higher tensile strength, while ensuring the other physical properties of retreads remain as tough and uncompromising as ever. The Supercool cushion gum also meets the stringent European standards.

Even though the new formulated Supercool cushion gum is more expensive product, the pine-tar-free formulation is designed to reflect Goodway’s “people first” philosophy. And, Goodway Rubber is proud of the fact that the company is working towards its motto of being a responsible rubber compounder by minimizing the hazards in its manufacturing capacity.

With this in mind, Goodway Rubber also urges every company and individual to make the switch to using pine-tar-free products for the safety of its employees, users and environment.