The ULTIMATE GREEN XT is GRI’s most environmentally friendly tyre and is part of its materials-handling solid tyre collection.
A Big Step Forward for GRI’s Sustainability Plans
“Environmentally sustainable growth is our strategy today and for generations to come. We work towards this goal through the way we produce and develop our tyres. The ULTIMATE GREEN XT solid tyre for the material handling industry is a result of our drive to create and manufacture sustainable products,” explained Dr Mahesha Ranasoma, CEO of GRI.
The ULTIMATE GREEN XT contains 42.8% sustainable materials, which include bio-sourced, and recycled materials. The tyre is built with pure natural rubber, silica, recycled carbon black, and reclaimed rubber from used tyres. The tyre also scores a higher energy efficiency due to its 20.4% lower rolling resistance compared to GRI’s current tyre, which will result in higher energy savings for electric or internal combustion engine forklifts. Finally, and arguably most important, this new solid tyre also provides lasts longer as it has 26.6% lower abrasion loss.
The ULTIMATE GREEN XT is built for 24-hour per day, 3 shift operations, enabled by lower heat build-up and higher endurance. The green colour version is a non-marking, high-performance tyre developed for all surface conditions and intense operating environments.
“In creating the pioneering ULTIMATE GREEN XT, we not only considered environmental protection by using a high degree of sustainable materials, but we also focused on improving performance such as increasing energy saving of forklifts as well as extending the lifetime of the tyre. With innovations such as this, we strive to inspire our industry towards making a positive impact on our planet,” stated Prabhash Subasinghe, Managing Director, GRI
The tread compound of the non-marking ULTIMATE GREEN XT contains highly dispersible silica and no carbon black. This helps lower abrasion loss, thereby reducing particle release into the environment. In the centre and base of the tyre, GRI has used recycled carbon black. Natural oil is used instead of petroleum-based oil and GRI has pioneered the use of carbon nanotubes in the black version of the tyre.
“The ULTIMATE GREEN XT goes beyond the norm to deliver the ultimate in sustainability, performance, and efficiency. It was developed over two years and tested rigorously. Powerful and robust, this tyre epitomises GRI’s advanced engineering, research, development, and manufacturing capabilities,” explained Dr Mahesha Ranasoma. “As a responsible organisation, we have aligned our activities with the UN Sustainable Development Goals of Climate Action, Responsible Consumption and Production, Life on Land, and Affordable & Clean Energy. The ULTIMATE GREEN XT has been developed in line with these goals and our unique GREEN X Circle, thus reiterating GRI’s commitment to sustainability,” he further added.
“I am extremely proud of GRI for having invented such a visionary and innovative solid tyre for its customers. It’s a first on many fronts for the company, the country and the world,” said Mr Harris Premaratne, Chairman of the GRI Board.
