A commercial vehicle fleet with a retread tyre policy uses 3 times less resource and 4 times fewer tyres than an equivalent company buying single life tyres. Retreaded tyres are made to the same exacting standards as new ones and are widely used on aircraft as well as trucks and buses. Over 80% of truck tyre retreads used in the UK are made in the UK: the industry supports 5,500 jobs, many in deprived areas.
However, in the last decade the market share of retreaded truck tyres had declined by over 30% under pressure from short-lived single-life tyres from low-cost countries. UK retreaders are now rebuilding the market share of retreaded truck tyres towards its historic level approaching 50%. This would save approximately 300,000 truck tyres per year.
Government has recognised the importance of retreading to the circular economy and the obstacles to its potential future growth. BTMA members are committed to producing a first-class competitive product but government must incentivise the changes in customer behaviour needed to develop a more circular economy.
Measures are needed to encourage:
- increased use of retreaded tyres
- purchase of longer-lived tyres designed for retreading
- improved care of tyres in service (to maximise first life and secure the supply of used tyres suitable for retreading).