Aeolus makes first 63-inch giant OTR tyre

On 11 October, a 59/80R63 radial engineering tyre rolled off the production line at Aeolus’s Jiaozuo manufacturing base. This giant OTR tyre has a diameter of over four metres and a weight of nearly six tons. It is mainly used for giant mining weighing about 400 tons.

Aeolus said that the 59/80R63 tyre rolled off the production line smoothly, indicating that the “8848” project has achieved a measure of success. It is reported that this project, launched in September 2020, aims to enhance Aeolus’s overall competitiveness in the field of giant tyres. 8848, the height of the world’s highest peak Mount Everest, shows the ambition of Aeolus.

Despite various market headwinds, several Chinese tyre manufacturers have shown great interest in OTR tyres. After the Tianjin United Tire & Rubber International Co (TUTRIC) acquisition, ZC Rubber invested heavily in its expansion. The new manufacturing projects relating to Sailun, Linglong, Guizhou Tyre and Xuzhou Armour Rubber all involve OTR tyres.

In the wake of Aeolus’s 59/80R63 radial engineering officially rolling off the production line, which itself seems to indicate that the largescale investment in OTR tyres by Chinese tyre companies has not ended, increased competition in the OTR tyre market seems likely.

Aeolus officially manages 100 per cent of Prometeon Tyre Group (PTG).

Another Chinese tyremaker, Triangle, joined the 63-inch club in April 2016.