Retreading
The ETRMA has reported its latest Used Tyre (UT) statistics that show Europe maintained a recovery rate of 95 per cent in 2011, despite an increase of 3 per cent in used tyres arisings compared to 2010. However it is worth pointing out that these figures do not include details for the UK market.
In recent years, the subject of the environment has assumed ever-greater importance as regulations have tightened their grip. Only two survivors from last year's final shortlist have made it through to this year's. These are Vellco Tyre Control (who won in 2011) and Bandvulc, which is the only retreader in the final five. The other finalists are newcomers (to the TAFF Awards) Murfitts Industries, DME Tyres and Sapphire Energy Recovery.
Retreaded earthmover (EM) tyres represent the most appropriate response to the demands of construction sites, mines, quarries and ports in terms of efficiency and cost effectiveness. That’s the view of retreading systems supplier Marangoni Group, which also highlights the fact that using them has a positive environmental influence. Luca Mai, executive sales manager of Marangoni Group’s Commercial & Earthmover Tyres division explained.
Marangoni has introduced a number of new products to its range of large-sized and earthmover orientated tyres. These new products, available in sizes 27.00×49, 31/80×49 and 31/90×49, have reportedly been developed with the MRLS Recaflex and MDT Recaflex profiles. In addition these tyres now have a deeper tread pattern than the previous models, with the depth increased from 70 to 75 mm. This feature, combined with a larger footprint and a low hysteresis compound, is designed to offer longer tread life without negatively affecting casing life.
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is using a commercial truck tyre casing from Yokohama Tire Corporation to establish a SmartWay verification program for retreaded tyres fitted to Class 8 line-haul trucks. “We are excited that the EPA has designated the RY617 steer and all-position tyre for their verification program as the benchmark casing for retread technologies,” said Rick Phillips, Yokohama director of commercial sales. When a retread receives EPA certification, fleets using those tyres become compliant with California Air Resources Board (CARB) regulations for low rolling resistance tyres.
This autumn Marangoni Retreading Systems will launch a new product range it says will be “a real alternative” to premium new tyres. The Ringtread Black Line line-up, the Italian manufacturer shares, is the result of “massive investments by Marangoni in the most modern mixing and ‘moulding’ technologies to ensure extremely efficient and automated production.”
The Reifen show is a meeting point for both long-established and new companies; Shamrock Marketing Inc. belongs – at least in Europe – to the second of these groups. The US-based trading company, which was founded in Louisville, Kentucky twenty years ago by Douglas Conley, now seeks to enter the European market. The firm began life as a distributor of vulcanisation envelopes, and although this remains a core element of the company’s business activities in the US and other markets, Douglas Conley Jr. told Tyres & Accessories that Shamrock has added many additional products to its portfolio during the last 20 years. Shamrock Marketing’s current range covers accessories, tools and equipment such as autoclaves, monorails, buffers and envelope spreaders, plus tyre mounting equipment – everything needed in a cost-efficient retreading facility.
Few tyre companies quote Ruskin, Aristotle and Henry Ford in the same piece of promotional literature. But B&J Rocket does in an effort to communicate what its Quality Plus seal stands for. And as John Ruskin said: “Quality is never an accident. It is always the result of intelligent effort.” Tyre & Accessories recently met with managing director Andreas Mueller to find out more.
This is a short extract. Tyrepress and Tyres & Accessories subscribers can log in below to read the full article.
If you are not yet a Tyrepress or Tyres & Accessories subscriber, you can change that here.
Becoming a member has benefits such as:
Although Eversafe Rubber has been producing retreading products for more than three decades now, this year was the Malaysian company’s first time exhibiting at Reifen Essen. During the show Tyres & Accessories spoke with export manager Eu Hong Lim, who shared that business had been good for Eversafe Rubber during the show. “Reifen is the most prominent, important tyre show in the world,” he commented. “This is our first time exhibiting in Essen; we chose to attend as an exhibitor this year as we want to start expanding our presence in Europe. Reifen also gives us an opportunity to meet old friends and customers.”
Media reports from New Zealand indicate Goodyear Dunlop intends to close 24 fast fit outlets in the country – almost a third of its national ‘Beaurepaires’ commercial network. According to Marty Dinniss, a public relations consultant who acts as the tyre company’s spokesman in New Zealand, the closures will be focused on the commercial vehicle sector, and Beaurepaires' consumer and agricultural-focused businesses will not be affected. Up to 219 employees may lose their jobs, however Dinniss comments that the company is currently engaged in a consultancy period with workers and their representative union.
Techking Tires Ltd has opened its first OTR Techking Service Centre in Canada. The China-based tyre manufacturer has chosen Pneus Lanoraie Inc as its partner in the area and will now offer what it calls a “one-stop repairing and retreading service” to its Canadian customers in Quebec Province and neighbouring territories.
Following Micheldever Tyres Services’ recent announcement that its branches are implementing a scrapping policy on all removed passenger car tyres, the Retread Manufacturers Association (RMA) has signalled its disappointment with this approach.
Micheldever Tyre Services has formalised a policy of drilling removed tyres with a view to preventing used tyres entering illegal or dangerous secondary markets. According to Mark Harley, retail operations director, at Micheldever Tyre Services: “Tyres removed from vehicles are usually taken off for a reason…they may have hidden damage which is only likely to be revealed when the car is driven down the road. The reality is that they pose a real road safety danger, are not fit for purpose and in fact offer very poor value for money”. According to a recent Auto Express survey, arranged in conjunction with TyreSafe, the cost per millimetre of part worn versus new tyres was almost double.
At the end of May, eight years after it began hosting such events, the Tyre Recovery Association held its annual Forum day in Warwickshire. This year’s was entitled “a commitment to excellence” and saw speakers representing everyone from Michelin Tyre Plc to the Environment Agency and ATS Euromaster share their perspectives of how excellence can be achieved.
Continental AG is investing in a hot retreading production plant in Western Europe, the company has announced. A statement explained that this decision aims to underline the “great importance of retreading business for Continental” and adds weight to its ContiLifeCycle concept. No details of the amount of investment have been released. The location of the new production site will be announced at a later date.
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.
