Thai government, Deestone partner to produce high-rubber content tyres

The Rubber Authority of Thailand, together with the country’s Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, has unveiled its own tyre brand – TH-Tyre. The two bodies hope that sales of TH-Tyre products will stimulate the use of natural rubber grown and tapped in Thailand. The tyres, which debuted on in the Thai market last month, are manufactured by local manufacturer Deestone Co.,Ltd.

A statement issued by the Government Public Relations Department of Thailand explains that tyres sold under the TH-Tyre brand will contain more natural rubber sourced from trees. While a standard tyre may contain just ten per cent natural rubber, a TH-Tyre reportedly contains as much as 45 per cent natural rubber. The TH-Tyre range includes car and van/light commercial tyres, motorcycle tyres and truck tyres. According to the statement, the “TH-Tyre is more durable and costs 20-30 per cent less than other brands.”

By stimulating demand for Thai natural rubber through sales of these tyres, the Rubber Authority of Thailand and the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives hope to raise rubber prices and improve the income received by rubber farmers. While Thailand is one of the world’s top rubber exporters and produced 4.47 million tons of rubber in the last two years, only 600,000 tons, or 13.42 per cent of this total, was used domestically. The Thai automotive industry accounted for 56.48 per cent of domestic demand, using a total of 340,000 tons.