Coalite, the UK-based manufacturer of smokeless fuel, has gained a major variation to its Licence to Operate at Bolsover, Derbyshire. The company has modified its pyrolysis batteries to deal with tyres. The first battery comes into operation in September 2001. Within 18 months a total of six batteries will be in operation processing some 90,000 tonnes of tyres per annum, making it the largest single tyre recycling unit in Europe.
In the UK, Michelin has carried out a survey of attitudes to tyre pressures. 83 per cent agreed that correct tyre inflation is important to safety and 88 per cent related correct pressure to fuel economy. However, 50 per cent check their pressures monthly, 30 per cent rely on services for pressure checks and 5 per cent “never check” tyre pressures.
The new Eagle NCT 5, introduced to the trade press at Goodyear’s own South of France test track in Mireval in mid-February, is a high-performance tyre in speed categories from H (up to 210 km/h) to Y (up to 300 km/h) with the emphasis on comfort. The manufacturer claims that the new type of tyre, immediately available in more than 20 sizes, is an improvement on its predecessor, the NCT 3 – sometimes to a very considerable extent – in braking on dry and wet roads or aquaplaning both in straight-line driving or cornering. The new product is aimed at an interesting growth market. 52 million tyres of speed index H and faster are currently sold in Europe per year, and this segment already covers 28 p.c. of the market (186 million tyres). The market share of high-performance tyres in Germany is about 35 p.c. at the moment, but still rising strongly. In the new NCT 5 Goodyear’s tyre developers had ecological qualities especially in mind. Compared with its predecessor the newly developed tyre can boast rolling resistance reduced by 20 p.c. and optimised tyre noise. In addition to the reduced rolling resistance which, according to the manufacturer, saves up to 5 p.c. in fuel, the NCT 5’s mileage is said to be improved by up to 25 p.c. In naming this new tyre Goodyear quite deliberately skipped the number 4, since the Far East, one of the target markets for the NCT 5, regards the number 4 as a symbol of impending disaster.
Goodyear’s Chief Engineer of Product Design has warned of the economic cost of tyre under-inflation as gasoline prices reach a new high in the USA. Petrol consumption and tread life are adversely affected. A Goodyear survey showed up to 28p.c. of vehicles had “seriously under-inflated” tyres.
With three new tyres, named “4x4Contact”, “4x4SportContact” and “4x4WinterContact”, the German tyre manufacturer wants to establish its leading brand in the segment of sports utility vehicles (SUV). And this segment seems to be quite interesting: According to a Continental market analysis the number of 4×4 vehicles in Europe is expected to double by the year 2005 compared to 1995 and leading to a growing market for 4×4 tyres. Some reasons are that new fashionable/stylish compact SUVs which are faster, fuel efficient and easier to drive or larger SUVs offering a high load carrying space and/or seating capacity are stimulating the demand. As a result SUVs are increasingly becoming an alternative to standard cars. Therefore the focus of the three 4×4 tyres is for on-road use, but for the future Continental plans to launch all-terrain and off road tyres, too. Meanwhile the “4x4Contact” is the tyre for compact and medium range SUV, whereas the “4x4SportContact” has a more sporty image. Fast and high powered cars are the target for this tyre. The “4x4WinterContact” – as the name suggests – is the specialist for the colder time of the year. European production of the tyres was launched recently and later this year they will also be manufactured in USA.
Degussa-Hüls AG is doubling capacity at one of its production plants in Antwerp, Belgium for sulphur-functionalised organosilanes. These rubber silanes are used as coupling components when precipitated silicas are used as fillers to reinforce rubber. Together with rubber silanes and rubber carbon blacks, precipitated silicas are the major component in “Green Tyres” which feature reduced rolling resistance and thus help to cut fuel consumption.
Tyre giants Michelin and Goodyear are to work together in the future on their run-flat systems PAX and EMT. A joint venture company has been formed, based in the Netherlands.
The subject of scrap tyres is one which continues to exercise the minds of all sectors of the tyre industry and, with a ban on landfilling of tyres imminent, alternative methods of disposal are being urgently sought. The UK Government has produced a number of reports on the subject and these are looked into as part of our feature on scrap tyre disposal. Also included are details of possible disposal methods and machinery as well as latest news on the subject, for example the temporary closure and planned refurbishment of the SITA tyres-to-energy power station in the Midlands. Those disposing of tyres are under increasing pressure; not only to find new outlets to take scrap, but also from steep rises in overheads such as fuel. The problem of scrap tyres affects the industry from top to bottom and most observers expect the Government to introduce some method of producer responsibility if the industry does not come up with its own solution in the near future.
Delphi Automotive has exclusively ordered membranes from ContiTech Elastomerbeschichtungen GmbH. They are to be used in pressure sensors for fuel injection systems. This year ContiTech will produce 40,000 of these membranes for the US-based automotive supplier, in 2001 the number will be doubled.
The joint venture company Trelleborg Wheel Systems has launched its first product since the company was formed – the Pirelli TM600 radial tractor tyre. TWS specialises in agricultural and forestry tyres and turns over 320 million Euro a year. The new tyre has an 85 series aspect ratio, which is an unusual sector for the company, as Pirelli has in the past concentrated on lower profile tyres. However, Mr. Maurizio Vischi, MD and General Manager of TWS, explained that this sector, although declining, still accounts for 55% of the market. If TWS wants to be the technical leader in all areas of the market (which is its ambition) then it needs an 85 series tubeless tyre. The TM600 will be sold on an added value basis – although it is by no means the cheapest in its class, it offers the customer longer life, better fuel consumption, less soil compaction and increased productivity. These claims are the result of a year’s testing in the field. Initially, the TM600 will be available in 14 sizes, rising to 23 in time. It will replace the Pirelli TM200 and TM300. TYRES & ACCESSORIES spoke to both Mr. Vischi and Mr. Anders Pettersson (President of TWS). Both are extremely pleased with the way the two organisations (Pirelli and Trelleborg) have integrated across Europe and there are hints that the company is looking to grow through acquisitions as well as organic growth. TWS is aiming to expand geographically too and the USA has been targeted as a market with particular potential for the specialist agricultural tyre company.
The German automotive association (VDA), organiser of the 58th International Commercial Vehicles Exhibition, which took place in Frankfurt this year due to EXPO utilising facilities at Hanover, has announced record results for the event. 1,318 exhibitors from 42 countries filled the exhibition, including some 725 automotive parts suppliers, more than ever before. In all, 240,000 people attended the show, 85 % of them trade visitors. Bernd Gottschalk, president of the German automotive association stated, “The IAA grows in importance as a sales exhibition”. He believes that the whole climate at the exhibition was one of optimism and faith in the future of the business. This may be true, but it is only one side of the coin. Despite the pre-event high hopes there remained an apprehension that the recent economic boom might soon come to a sudden end. There are many indicators that the boom may be slowing down: Dramatic decline in sales in the USA, and an accelerating rationalisation amongst manufacturers making trade more intensive for both suppliers and the fleet business. This and high fuel prices and, last but by no means least, the distortion of competition as a result of differing transport regulations within the European Union. In the final analysis, the commercial vehicle business remains as full of contradictions today, as it ever has. Find out more in the November issue of NEUE REIFENZEITUNG.
Dunlop’s SP Sport 200 E has been given the “Blue Angel” quality seal of approval for nine sizes. The “Blue Angel” adheres to very strict guidelines and is especially for environment-friendly products and processes whose user qualities and safety aspects are in no way inferior to conventional products. Recipients are chosen by independent institutions. This new car tyre (speed indices H and V) is awarded the eco seal for qualities such as low noise level, the light weight of the product, fuel saving and reduced emissions thanks to its optimised rolling resistance. Dunlop’s winter tyre SP Winter Sport M 2 is currently being tested for exceptional environment-friendliness.
With a fuel consumption of less than three litres per hundred kilometres (approximately 95mpg) the new Volkswagen Lupo TDI sets new standards. The reduced consumption has been achieved by a combination of various measures; the use of light-weight forged wheels by Fuchs is for instance a contributory factor to the reduced weight of the vehicle. On the tyre side, Bridgestone/Firestone has scored in original equipment with the B 381 Ecopia, size 155/65 R14 75T. The name, made up from “ecology” and “utopia” is also the statement of a programme, which will exploit experience gained in the construction of this tyre for future Bridgestone/Firestone products. The tyre manufacturer achieved weight reduction by using aramid instead of steel in the belt and light-weight polyester in the casing. Thanks to its clever rubber compound formula the tyre’s rolling resistance has also been optimised and at the same time has fulfilled the tyre manufacturer’s ecologically motivated desire for noise reduction. As an equivalent for the winter season Bridgestone recommends the WT 12 tread pattern.
If you would like the latest news from the Chinese tyre industry in Chinese, visit our partner site TyrepressChina.com. Or click below to continue on Tyrepress.
