Valuable asset - our environment
Our first association with the word “environment” is “protection”. Retreading of tyres in itself as a traditional form of recycling means a far-reaching improvement over the pollution sometimes generated by manufacturing industries.
The ecological aspect of production in industrial plants is becoming more and more important. Although the idea to make products in a way which would be as environment-friendly as possible is not new at all, however, in the meantime even the authorities have started more and more to associate factory retreading of tyres with environment protection. Municipalities equip their own municipal “fleet” with retreaded tyres. With the increased use companies manage not only to achieve enormous cost savings but also to optimise the so-called ecological footprint.
Even the indirect effects on the environment which emerge from the areas of supply and delivery, suppliers and their area of influence, complemented by necessary side stages such as business trips etcetera, require constant and thorough check by us as manufacturers, in to achieve and keep the best possible balance in the overall image of the company.
If we consider direct environmental aspects such as emissions, prevention, assessment and waste disposal, exploitation of resources and energy consumption, the profit achieved thanks to the advantages of retreading is double right at the start.
It is equally easy to understand and justify the subdivision into energy and resource saving. What is meant here is the energy required for producing a factory retreaded tyre compared with the energy required for producing a new tyre. We refer her to only 30% of energy demand required for producing a retreaded tyre in contrast to producing a new tyre - a clear 70% lead. If we compare the consumption of resources when producing new tyres and when producing factory retreaded tyres, a difference of 70-80% can be noted in favour of retreaded tyres.
Factory tyre retreading requires only one quarter to one third of the raw materials such as rubber & Co. Even here, the progress of constantly balanced rubber compounds is supported, as they emerge, for example, from our cooperation with the listed company Lanxess. When a relatively young tyre is already at hand, the production extent is consequently much smaller and the raw material demand is significantly decreased - 80% are already there and only 20% must be added to the tyre with the aid of sophisticated technologies, manpower and experience.
Waste products from the factory retreading process can be reused in many different ways after being picked up and collected, e.g. in the form of third-party products. This usually involves some other recyclable materials. The largest portion thereof is used for tartan compounds manufactured from the remains, which are used in sports courts, playgrounds, in the veterinary field, as well as road construction.
Everybody talks about it. We all live there. It is our urgent need to protect our most valuable asset: our environment.
Progress and mindfulness
Progress has been finding a way into our life since time immemorial. We make our environment as comfortable as possible - but sometimes just too comfortable.
Key word: “Global interconnection”: On the spur of the moment, without any big plans and waiting time to reach point B from point A, it seems not to be a problem at all in the present time. In terms of logistics, this principle that nothing is impossible, is certainly true. But this all-time availability is clearly at the expense of the environment. It is therefore necessary to search for possible ways to conserve the resources and prevent generation of waste in as many fields as possible.
The supply of all materials necessary for “King Meiler” takes place from the immediate vicinity, and if necessary, only from the neighbouring countries. Only the country of origin of the rubber lies beyond these self-imposed limits. But even in this situation, the participation of Reifen Hinghaus GmbH in projects for research and development with scientifically experienced companies operating on the German market allows for enormous conservation of natural products with the aid of high-quality synthetic materials.
Blue mist or hot air?
Reifen Hinghaus GmbH was way ahead the authorities, years before the requirements for filter technology have been intensified. In 2010, newly designed filter system was installed, which is even at the full capacity much better in its cleaning and energy class than required by the standard.
We do not deceive ourselves: The demand for an ecologically flawless tyre will probably remain unfulfilled for a long time. However, we have posed a task for ourselves, of finding the best possible compromise between high performance which fulfils high requirements for our present means of transport and as environmental-friendly production as possible, which will include both the raw materials and the manufacturing and recycling processes.
Rubber torturing vs. sustainability
Natural rubber is a material without which the new and retreaded tyre industry can hardly be imagined. Is there something like a fair trade for the most important raw material, the rubber compound? Our suppliers considers themselves obliged in terms of sustainability as much as we do, and are not afraid to publish a so-called “Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability Report” every year.
Cooperation in the field of research and development, Reifen Hinghaus GmbH is joining and manoeuvring for years now, is suitable for opening new ways of optimisation along the way to implement more and more environmental-friendly processes in the production.
