Page 21 - CTB n3 - 2013/3,

RETREADING
The Carbon Footprint
of Retreads – How Green are they?
roughly the same for both tyre types. In total transport emissions add almost 10 kg CO2 for a new tyre and over 8 kg CO2 for a retread. The higher emissions for transport of new tyres come from the long distance import of raw materials from overseas.
Overall, the study found that retreading tyres is more environmentally beneficial than buying new, with the retreading of light commercial vehicle tyres reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 26.4 kg and giving material savings of
17.6 kg.
The retreading industry is always keen to stress the environmentally friendly nature of products. Indeed, the retreading process should, according to the Retread Manufacturers’ Association, be considered as the best practical environmental option for tyre recycling. The strapline “Retreading is Recycling” is used widely on a global basis and indeed, unlike other forms of tyre recycling or disposal, retreading does not simply defer the eventual disposal of the tyre, but actively contributes towards reducing the amount of new tyres being used, hence saving valuable natural resources, in particular oil (a passenger retread requires 20 litres less oil than a new tyre. For a truck tyre this figure is 68 litres).
However, is the fact that retreading is a recycling process enough to justify the industry’s green credentials. What about the overall carbon footprint of the retreaded tyre compared with that of a new tyre?
There is, in fact, very little published work on this subject. Cynics might say that this is because the new tyre manufacturing industry, unlike the retread sector, can afford to carry out such studies but why would they want to carry out a study, which might show retreads to be greener than the most efficient, fuel-saving new tyres?
Interestingly, the only report of its kind in the public domain is
a report, commissioned in 2008 for the Centre for Remanufacturing and Reuse and carried out by carbon footprint specialists Best Foot Forward, which compared the carbon footprint of a new and a retread 17.5” tyre for use by light commercial vehicles. Indeed, the report concluded that the process required to manufacture and distribute a retreaded tyre produces significantly less carbon emissions than that required to produce a new tyre.
This study showed that the manufacture of a 17.5” new tyre produces 86.9 kg CO2 emissions compared to 60.5 kg CO2 for an equivalent retread tyre, a saving of 26.4 kg. This equates to a reduction of emissions by 30%.
The report broke down the carbon footprint of the tyre comparing the impacts arising from different product stages.
It showed that the embodied carbon of materials is the largest component for both new tyres and retreads accounting for more than 50% of the total impact. It is responsible for 49 kg of CO2 in new LCV tyres compared to 31 kg CO2 in retreads.
The second largest impact was attributed to the energy needed in the manufacturing and retreading process. The energy used to manufacture a new LCV tyre produces 31 kg CO2, while retread energy is 22 kg CO2.
The footprint of transport was
Marangoni Completes Ringtread On/Off Range
Marangoni’s Ringtread on/off range is now complete, with the introduction of the MIX101 profile, designed for use on drive axles of vehicles operating in mixed road/quarry applications. The MIX101 ring is a new version of the tried-and-tested MIX100 for less heavy-duty applications, with a non-directional pattern. This original Marangoni pattern features a variable block arrangement to ensure excellent traction on any type of surface; specifically, the square tread profile means an exceptionally wide footprint that maximises grip on the road.
The wide opening of the shoulders ensures the tread is constantly kept “clean” of any stones, mud and water; moreover, the extensive reinforcing bridges on the central ribs provide resistance to impact and stability on soft ground (mud) as well as resistance to very aggressive road surfaces (stones/rocks). Other features of the pattern include its exceptional sturdiness in the most demanding off-road conditions, and reduced risk of penetration by sharp bodies due to the reinforced cushion gum.
The profile also has another important feature: the ring is non-directional, ensuring greater flexibility and less risk
of incorrect fitting.
Furthermore, the new profile is produced using a standard compound that makes it ideal for applications on less demanding routes, with the benefit of costing less than the MIX100.
The pattern is currently available in rings, in sizes 250M and 260M.
RINGTREAD is the only retreading system that uses joint- free precured rings that adhere to the casing without tension or deformation of the tread pattern, ensuring excellent traction on demanding surfaces, thanks to the greater precision and directional stability of the siping and blocks.