Retreaded 3.0
Duden describes the word “retreaded” as follows: “thoroughly reconditioned”. Production of new, and above all, high-quality tyres out of old is what makes tyre retreading an art. The idea of this is the oldest forerunner of recycling.
From more or less worn tyres (casings), the majority of the material undergoes recycling. For this purpose, they are optically presorted, electronically and haptically tested; experienced hands and heads as well as special machines such as, for instance, machines for shearography work together. High-quality retreaded tyres with all their advantages can only be obtained from best preserved casings made by selected manufacturers.
Treads and sidewalls are buffed in state-of-the-art computer-controlled buffers and subsequently checked for any potential imbalance. Tyres with values outside the tolerance range are immediately rejected.
Make new out of old
In one and the same processing step, rubber compounds of excellent quality are kneaded and optimised for the respective use (for instance, winter tyres, summer tyres etc.) by extruders and pressed through a die head when hot. The simultaneous overlaying process places the rubber strip produced by the die onto the previously prepared casing. Prepared in this way, now obtained green casings undergo a heating process.
Depending on the requirements for the tyre to be produced in this process, the compounds consist of specially developed innovative compounds with silica content of up to 50%. In addition to its own core business operation, the manufacturer of King Meiler has been involved for some years now in research and development for the purpose of improving the rubber compounds. Special own formulas are developed in collaboration with a world leader in speciality chemicals production and the rubber compounds are produced by leading European manufacturers.
The green casings are placed in heating presses and subjected to extreme pressure and high temperatures, thus going through the process of vulcanisation, in which the new rubber changes its state from plastic to elastic. This chemical reaction in which the existing and newly applied rubber are welded to each other, is in case of retreaded tyres no different new tyres.
Once cooled down tyres undergo the final check after vulcanisation, and at this stage, any excess rubber is removed with the aid of semi-automatic deburring machines and a pressure and concentricity check are carried out at the same time. No retreaded tyre may carry the name “King-Meiler” if it hasn’t undergone all safety checks in which its excellent quality has been confirmed.
Safety. Durability. Driving comfort. Cost saving. Environment protection. Attributes that characterise the brand “King-Meiler”
Tyres! Retreaded! Aircraft tyres that are exposed to extreme strain every time the aeroplane taxis or lands are retreaded for up to 6 or 7 times, even in case of “big players” in the aviation industry; the tyres for lorries and buses are retreaded for at least 2 to 4 times. What is good for our children and friends, whom we entrust to vehicles equipped in this way, can logically be the best decision for ourselves and our cars as well.
The retreaded tyres are subject to identical mandatory tests as the new tyres. Accordingly, the safety is not only comparable, but actually identical. Reifen Hinghaus GmbH subject itself - in contrast to the competitors - to voluntary tests which go beyond the scope of requirements defined by KBA.
The buyer of King-Meiler retreaded tyres makes no compromise, because they come with a 2-year warranty. Actually, King-Meiler retreaded tyres hardly differ from new tyres.
Don’t they? Compared to manufacturing of a new tyre, up to 70% of energy is saved during retreading tyre production and only one third the amount of raw materials is required for it. In the direct comparison of both products, nothing must be ignored with respect to quality.
Dissolved in smoke?
The ecological aspect!
Everyone is talking about environment protection. Where can we start? How far should it go? Recycling of these pneumatic tyres offers a genuine and economical alternative to the convenient new tyres, which is both cost- and environment-friendly. You can directly notice the economical benefits by looking at your wallet; the environment wins by resource conservation.
Is that everything? No, there is much more to this. Reifen Hinghaus GmbH uses renewable energies during its production. Not only much less energy is required for producing “King Meiler” tyres, but the production of these tyres is also more clean. Using photovoltaics, approximately one third of the overall power demand for the production is gained.
Conclusion: Retreaded tyres are far better than their reputation and also better than some new tyres.
True or false?
Time and again, rumours about these types of recycled tyres are circulating - in the heads of those who are apparently not thoroughly informed. Sometimes, this artificially fuelled distrust culminates in press articles that pounce on the “rubber” as if it were the cause of all evil on the streets.
| Rumour mill | The whole truth |
|---|---|
| Fabric tyre casings are not designed to be retreaded. | Car tyres may only be retreaded once. When it comes to lorries and buses, the tyres may be retreaded up to four times, and fabric casings of aeroplane tyres can be retreaded up to 7 times. King-Meiler uses only well preserved fabric casings of renowned premium manufacturers. |
| Retreaded tyres are not safe. | Retreaded tyres in Europe conform to the same standard as new tyres, certified with the ECE standard 108/109. State-of-the-art special machines are used in production, operated by long-term experienced specialists, the tyre vulcanisation mechanics. King-Meiler voluntarily undergo even more rigorous tests than required by KBA in order to be allowed to carry the Prüflabor Nord seal, which certifies that retreaded tyres are of a higher quality than prescribed by statutory requirements. The tests passed in the process certify that the King-Meiler is of high quality with enormous safety reserves. The product comes with 2 years warranty on the market - just like new tires. |
| Retreaded tyres last only one season. | Durability depends on factors such as: material used, manufacturing process, as well as driving conditions and even storage. Various rubber compounds are used for King-Meiler tyres, in accordance with the respective requirements for the intended use of each type of tyre. Under identical conditions, King-Meiler tyres last as long as new tyres. |
| Retreaded tyres are cheaper. | Correct. Retreaded tyres will not only minimise the impact on natural resources, but also your purse. Compared to new tyres made by premium manufacturers, you will pay up to 50% less for King-Meiler tyres. |
| Retreaded tyres can only be used in a small number of models or in old vehicles. | The King-Meiler range of products comprises almost all standard sizes and profiles, as well as own tread petterns, which were developed in collaboration with experienced stock-endowed enterprises for development of technical rubber and most famous and successful European mould manufacturers in Italy. |