A limited field study by the US Environmental Protection Agency found no cause for human health or environmental concerns with the use of tyre rubber in athletic fields and playgrounds, reports Tire Review. The EPA said it will use the information to determine possible next steps to address questions regarding the safety of tyre crumb fill in the fields. The limited field study was conducted between August and October 2008.
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on December 10 the results of a study of the health risks from inhalation, ingestion, and dermal contact with synthetic turf and crumb rubber from playing field and playground surfaces constructed with recycled tyre material or tyre crumb. It concluded that "concentrations of components monitored in this study were below levels of concern."
Federal Tires has released a new specialty motorsports guide that demonstrates its tyre range in terms of its street, track, and off road applications. The latest catalogue not only showcases the Taiwanese manufacturer’s complete product line; the usage each tyre is best put to is also outlined. Tyres covered in the guide include the Corsa FZ-101 for time trial events and high-level competition use, the semi-slick Corsa FZ-202, Federally G-10 for dry and damp gravel surfaces and the 595 RS-R high performance tyre for time attack, club sprint, lap dash, professional drifting and street legal competition.
Federal Tires are now on display at Warner Bros. Movie World Australia after the Taiwan-based tyremaker entered a year long sponsorship deal with the park’s Hollywood Stunt Driver attraction. According to the company, the partnership has “opened up a whole new chapter for Federal Tires taking a more stellar role to please automotive enthusiasts when it comes to vehicular theatrics.”
The attraction is said to feature: “An insane and crazy stunt show incorporating a unique combination of thrill and danger with a world-class team of drivers performing their cutting-edge driving skills and riding SS657, taking the stunt show to the next level…All of this creates a strong emotional connection ensuring audiences are engaged, transformed and inspired with tire’s comprehensive.”
Goodyear COO and president of its North American Tire unit, Richard J. Kramer, has been elected chairman of the Rubber Manufacturers Association. Kramer succeeds Jim MacMaster, executive vice president of Yokohama Tire, whose two-year term has come to an end.
During a meeting of Australia’s Environment Protection and Heritage Council (EPHC) on November 5, Australia’s state environment ministers agreed upon a new national policy on waste and resource management. This National Waste Policy sets the agenda for waste and resource recovery in Australia over the next decade, and as part of it the tyre industry will develop a scheme to increase waste tyre recycling in Australia.
Federal has introduced the 595RPM; the company's first ever asymmetric tyre engineered particularly for passionate driving enthusiasts and aimed at drivers of sports sedans, providing new levels of performance and luxury. Development of the 595RPM utilised computer simulations in a range of conditions to optimise a rounded tread profile for a quiet and pleasant ride.
Four drainage grooves provide improved stability, while maintaining a consistent footprint in wet. The asymmetrical tread pattern enhanced within the inner and outer shoulder areas ensures a smooth pace, with efficient water displacement to reduce the risk of aquaplaning and decrease rolling noise without affecting controllability.
Bridgestone Australia says it welcomes an October 27 announcement by South Australian Premier Mike Rann offering State and Federal Government assistance for employees affected by the closure of the company’s Salisbury factory. The state Premier outlined the package during discussions with senior Bridgestone executives, and according to Bridgestone Australia senior executive director Andrew Moffatt the assistance offered will “complement” the company’s stated commitment to its employees.
(Tire Review) As of 1 January, 2010 lead wheel weights are banned in the state of California. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed Senate Bill 757 into law on Oct. 11, bringing to a close a more than five-year effort by environmental groups to ban lead wheel weights in the state. The ban specifically makes illegal the sale and installation of lead wheel weights on passenger vehicles and trucks. The bill was co-sponsored by the Center for Environmental Health and Clean Water Action. Currently there is no federal law regarding lead wheel weights, though the EPA has asked automakers and the aftermarket to voluntarily cease using such weights.
Hankook’s Optimo 4S was named the champion of Auto Bild’s major All-Season Tyre Test, with testers noting the tyre’s “absolutely impressive all-round talent.” The all-weather specialist was named the overall winner, having taken first place in five individual categories, and won the label of “Exemplary” over the rest of the competition. Like last year, the Auto Bild editorial desk confirmed that the Optimo 4S delivers peak performance in categories including braking, traction on wet surfaces and hydroplaning. The tyre also received special praise for having the lowest rolling resistance in the test, beating all of its competitors. The company was keen to stress this aspect of the test most in its press release after the award, saying that, in the vehicle segment tested – exemplified by the Ford Fiesta –fitment of its tyres could lead to average savings of more than 50 litres of fuel and 120 kg of CO2 over the life of the tyre.
With an ever-growing awareness of the ecological climate, as well as a new precedent currently being set for economical measures introduced specifically for levies on manufacturers of tyres in the Far East, those wishing to import tyres to Europe and the USA need show an awareness of current regulations governing the properties of their products. This has not passed Federal Corporation by: “In an effort to contribute to the conservation of the environment and demonstrate our ongoing commitment to a safer and greener society,” Federal announces it is “to phase out use of the PAH rich extender oils by shifting all categories of tire segments to HA oil free tires following the REACH regulations.” The implementation of the environmental initiative, the company continues, is in compliance with EU directives concerning the tyre industry and is clearly designed to show how the Far East is by no means standing still when it comes to the use of new technologies to meet EU regulations.
An extra US$39 million will go into Cooper Tire & Rubber’s pension plan to cover its obligations when the company’s Albany factory closes later this year. In an agreement made with the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp., announced on August 12, Cooper will fulfil its $62 million obligation by contributing $39 million to the pension plan and waiving its $23 million credit for past over funding.
Federal Tyres will show off its new trade show booth at the upcoming 2009 Moscow International Motor Show (MIMS). The 13ths edition of the MIMS will be held at the Crocus Exhibition Centre on outskirts of Moscow from Aug 26-30. During the show, Federal will be featuring competition tyres FZ101 and FZ202, its gravel rally […]
The following is an open letter to Prime Minister Steven Harper and all members of the Canadian parliament, written July 28 by Harvey Brodsky, managing director of the Tire Retread & Repair Information Bureau:
Dear Prime Minister Harper and all Members of the Canadian Parliament,
The Tire Retread & Repair Information Bureau is an international non-profit, member owned industry association. I am writing today on behalf of our Canadian members in the tire retread and tire repair industries to bring to your attention the tremendous contribution our members make to both the environment and the economy throughout Canada.
Tire Retread and Repair Information Bureau managing director Harvey Brodsky has written an open letter to US president Barack Obama and the members of Congress in general, praising the work of the bureau’s members in advancing retreads as a viable, safe alternative to new tyres. Brodsky also included the bureau’s Retread Tire Information Pack, illustrating “the environmental and economic benefits of retreaded tyres.” The full content of the letter is reproduced below.
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