According to the managing director, Michael Huber, already since 1999, Kemmler, the builders’ merchant in southern Germany, has been focusing on retreaded tyres. “Currently about 80 per cent of our vehicle fleet is equipped with retreaded tyres, because in my opinion, they are more economical and environmentally friendly than new tyres. Both mileage of retreaded tyres and their grip in construction traffic are good”, explains Huber. The vehicle fleet of the company in Tübingen consists of 100 specialty trucks and six sprinters. According to Michael Huber, 78 vehicles make use of retreaded tyres. The company also wants to equip the trailer fleet with such treads continuously.
Kemmler’s specialty vehicles are used in the south of Germany, mostly in regional traffic and for short distances. Michael Huber acknowledges the use of retreaded truck tyres without any limitations. He assures: “With regard to quality, safety, mileage and rolling resistance they have proved equal. Moreover, they will help us to achieve our goal of climate neutrality until 2030.” Based on a current study of Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology (UMSICHT), retreaded tyres cause more than 60 per cent fewer CO2 emissions in production than new tyres with comparable quality. The main reasons for this are saving energy (power/gas) during production and using fewer raw materials. The study comes to the conclusion that retreaded tyres with an identical class of rolling resistance and comparable mileage do not use more energy during use than new tyres.
Consulting via AZuR partner Reiff
Michael Huber thinks that boosting the use of retreaded tyres in Germany will depend on “a more intensive focus on retreading when developing new tyres. In the future, it should be mandatory to produce carcasses that would be also suitable for retreading. Furthermore, there should be uniform quality standards throughout the European Union.”
AZuR partner Reiff Süddeutschland works as a consultant for Kemmler Baustoffe GmbH. The consultancy advocates for the initiative Retreaded and the Alliance for the Future of Tyres (Allianz Zukunft Reifen - AZuR), which supports a recycling economy in an economically and ecologically sensible way. AZuR aims at increasing the retreading rate of old tyres for commercial vehicles from 30 to 40 per cent in the next five years. According to people responsible for this alliance, manufacturers and consumers will have to become more aware of the advantages of retreaded tyres. The initiative lists Kemmler, the builders’ merchant, as a role model for sustainable measures in the tyre industry.
