Bandag endorsed by Australian circular economy program

Tyre Stewardship Australia (TSA) has recognised Bandag as a Circular Economy Collaborator, acknowledging the retreader’s contribution to keeping tyre-derived products and materials circulating in the economy for as long as possible, thereby reducing reliance on raw materials. Announcing Bandag’s induction into the April 2022-launched program, TSA shares that the Bandag process contributes to the association’s vision for a national end-of-life tyre circular economy.

“Tyre Stewardship Australia is proud to acknowledge Bandag as a Circular Economy Collaborator,” states Lina Goodman, TSA chief executive officer Lina. “Through advanced manufacturing, Bandag recaptures the value from used tyres, increasing their working life again and again. The retread process Bandag provides here in Australia truly epitomises the essence of a circular economy.”

The Bridgestone-owned truck tyre tread manufacturing and retread business recently celebrated 60 years of local pre-cured tread manufacturing. As Australia’s sole producer of these products, Bandag provides retreaders within the region with a locally-made solution, thereby strengthening the country’s tyre circular economy. TSA notes that a Bandag retread is comprised of 75 per cent recycled materials, both through the re-use of existing casings and via the use of recycled materials during the tread manufacturing and the retreading processes.

Validation of Bandag benefits

Heath Barclay, managing director of Bridgestone Australia & New Zealand, considers TSA’s certification to be further validation of the benefits of Bandag retreads. “Bandag’s certification as a Circular Economy Collaborator is another demonstration of how Bandag supports a more sustainable industry and highlights the significant positive impact of locally made retreads.

“Our Bandag retreads offer both economic and social value to our customers, and the recognition as a Circular Economy Collaborator is a demonstration of the positive contribution that this product makes towards a circular economy.”

According to Greg Nielsen, Bridgestone’s general manager of Retread Business in Australia, Bandag’s product cycle embodies this practice. “A well-maintained, quality tyre casing has the ability to be retreaded using the Bandag process multiple times due to our high-quality control and state of the art equipment. In addition to this, we are passionate about ensuring that our entire business is as sustainable as possible through the management of waste and use of on-site generated renewable energy and water harvesting. This recognition from the TSA supports years of effort and gives us multiple reasons to be proud.”