TIA Retreading & Recycling Conference Grows 60%

The Tire Industry Association (TIA) reports that tyre industry visitors to the second Commercial Tire, Retread & Recycling Conference (CTRRC), held in Florida, increased by more than sixty per cent over last year. The CTRRC had 404 registered attendees, including 294 from the commercial/retread market and 110 recyclers who attended the three-day conference that included various seminars, a recycling tour and an equipment demonstration. This meeting was held again in conjunction with the Annual Meeting of the Technology and Maintenance Council (TMC) of the American Trucking Associations (ATA).

“We were very pleased with the over 60 per cent increase in attendance over last year’s CTRRC,” remarked TIA executive vice president Roy Littlefield. “It shows us the value attendees place in educational opportunities and keeping up-to-date with industry trends.” TIA seminar topics at the conference, held between February 5 and 7, ranged from chamber fires to wheel and rim reconditioning to improving envelope life. The Tire Manufacturers Forum, reports the TIA, was a great success, with the panel answering questions from attendees for the full 90 minutes that was scheduled.

“Attendees of the CTRRC also had the opportunity to participate in TMC’s exhibition at the Orlando Convention Center,” said TIA President Peggy Fisher. “On top of the valuable TIA education sessions, this gave attendees even greater networking opportunities between both events. Commercial tyre dealers also networked on the show floor with many of their fleet customers which added greatly to the attractions and benefits the show provided.”

More than 75 tyre and rubber recyclers and industry professionals took part in the tyre recycling facility tour that took place at the Ridge Generating Station in Auburndale, Florida. Recyclers had the opportunity to view full scale tyre processing and energy production operations during the tour. The 45-megawatt plant processes up to 300,000 tons per year of waste wood and approximately 30,000 tons of tyres per year into clean energy.

One of the highlights of the tyre recycling program was the Thursday afternoon playground and sports surfaces product testing demonstration coordinated by Tire and Rubber Recycling Advisory Council (TRRAC) member Denise Kennedy. The program included testing of loose fill, pour-in-place and artificial sport turf surfacing. Attendees viewed a demonstration on how to use the TRIAX 2000 and “A” missile testing equipment in the field prior to sending the material to a testing lab for official certification. The TRIAX 2000 is used to test for impact attenuation of recycled rubber surfaces and the “A” missile is an artificial turf impact tester which can be used to test football and multi-purpose fields.