Some airlines may pay for their tyres by the retreads. There is an initial payment for the virgin tyre, and then a subsequent payment for the initial retread and further payments until the tyre account is settled. If the tyre fails prior to the final payment being made, then the tyre manufacturer wears the cost.

The secret (not so secret really!) to a successful retread programme is the pressure maintenance regime. If the appropriate pressures are applied to the tyre during its initial life, then we are able to deliver a sound virgin casing/carcass to the retreading plant.

In speaking with so many retreading facilities, they all detail a high rejection rate of casings submitted for retreading. The primary reason for rejection is the breakdown of the tyre’s structure as a result of under inflation.

So how does this affect the use of resources and subsequent emissions?

I have sighted figures purported to have been produced by the global accounting firm Ernst & Young (now EY), which detail a 70 percent reduction in natural resource extraction, 19 percent reduction in water consumption (potable water is one of the next global issues to deal with) and 21 percent reduction in air pollution. A truck tyre casing (say 11R22.5) that is retreaded will reduce oil consumption by about 50 litres – obviously more for a larger tyre.

Many tyre OEMs do promote the retreadability of their casings; it is just plain economic sense when you stop to think about it. Acquiring a product where you use 30 percent (by weight) only to then throw the rest onto the scrap pile is economic stupidity, but that is what seems to happen in most road transport organisations.

Maintaining tyre inflation pressures is too difficult, they say. Well, yes, if you are stuck in the 1950s where the only way to check inflation pressure was to use a manual gauge. In the 2000s, we started using tyre pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) to gain real time information about tyres in operation. Now we can stream data and identify issues such as binding brakes, wheel ends in failure mode as well as inappropriately inflated tyres. We’ve tuned operating tyres so that tyres operate in unison or as a team across an axle and so over the entire vehicle. Not being able to view tyre pressures in real time is so last century.

By tuning the inflation pressure of a tyre, the structural integrity can be assured so that when the tread worn tyre is presented at the retreading facility, it is accepted rather than rejected.  Thus, a serious saving in resource use is generated; there is a substantial reduction in emissions as well as reduction in land use both from the initial growing of the natural rubber to the reduction of land fill.

A simple act can generate substantial savings. Why do so many educated people ignore this aspect? Why do bean counters not consider tyres in a holistic manner?

Purchasing a ’cheap’ tyre may appear to ‘save money’, but more often than not, the cost of operations actually rises. HOW? I hear the abacus jockeys cry!  A low-cost tyre more often than not has a higher rolling resistance than a quality casing. Research and development costs, low cost operators that have copied or cloned don’t bear these costs.   Consider the fuel burn over the life of a tyre, say 150,000 km. A two percent saving on the fuel burn equates to how much? When we consider the actual life of the low-cost tyre, more than likely it requires more maintenance, so there is more downtime, added rotations to gain the maximum wear from the tread package and then there is the disposal fee on the spent casing as it cannot be retreaded.

Considering tyres in a holistic manner is not something bean counters consider or actually even know about. Tyres directly influence the fuel burn of a vehicle, the wheel end life and the suspension life, even affecting the driver’s fatigue levels – not to consider the environmental aspects such as emissions and disposal.

So if an aircraft can take off and land safely on retreaded tyres, then why can’t on-road transport trucks use retreaded casings? It comes back to the neglect shown to the tyre during the initial life. It seems that people just don’t care; they don’t understand the criticality of appropriate tyre inflation pressures.

Within the Performance Based Standards for high performance trucks operating on Australian roads (think triple trailers running quad axles), there is a statement that succinctly details what a tyre contributes, to wit  ;

“All the forces needed to both support and guide a vehicle ultimately arise in the area of contact between the tyre and the roadway. These forces are generated at the road surface in response to the deformation of the tyre structure.”

As tyre deformation is the product of inflation levels, there is a direct relationship between tyre inflation levels and vehicle safety. Why do people choose to ignore tyre inflation when it is so easy to monitor and comes with so many positive benefits?

So installing a simple regime of monitoring tyres in real time tyre casings to evidence   that the tyres have not experienced a low pressure event (so destroying the casing’s integrity) means they can be selected for retreading. This eliminates the main excuse for not retreading, i.e. the rejection rate is too high. It is that simple!

A cheap tyre is not necessarily an economic positive. A well-maintained quality tyre will generate savings upon savings and then will also be able to do it all over again after retreading.

Many governments mandate the use of retreaded tyres on utility vehicles as it is well understood there is not only an economic benefit but an environmental benefit too!

If we, the global community, continue to consume resources without considering a reduction in the rate of consumption, then we’re doomed to exhaustion. Using a resource (read tyre) at only 30 percent and then disposing it of does not make any sense (nor cents!). Retreading of tyres is a sound practice based upon sound science. Why are so many businesses throwing their hard earned cash away because the abacus jockeys don’t know and don’t care about tyres?

Success does not reward a lack of effort. How much effort are your bean counters making in respect of tyres ?

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Tegeta Green Planet and Toyota Center Tegeta served as the primary backers for a summer camp organised by Word Academy, which brought together adolescents between the ages of 8 and 17 in the Kakheti region. The initiative was designed as a digital detox, with all forms of screens and online platforms set aside in favour of immersive, real-world learning experiences.

The week-long agenda was deliberately varied, mixing educational seminars with hands-on exercises, strategic games, and open-forum conversations. Campers were given the opportunity to interact with experts from a range of occupations, all while developing their abilities in analytical reasoning, group coordination and ethical decision-making through carefully structured activities.

A significant portion of the schedule was given over to ecological subjects, with Shalva Akhvlediani, Director of Tegeta Green Planet, and his colleagues leading sessions on waste management and sustainability. The discussions centred on closed-loop systems, producer accountability frameworks and the correct disposal methods for vehicle-derived refuse, including used tyres, spent batteries and lubricating oils. Following these briefings, the teenagers engaged in spirited debates and cooperative challenges that explored the connection between daily habits and broader environmental health.

By the conclusion of the camp, the participants had reached a collective understanding that safeguarding nature is a duty shared equally by citizens, public institutions and commercial entities. Tegeta Green Planet views such educational outreach as a cornerstone of its mission. Toyota Center Tegeta echoed this sentiment, stating through its actions that nurturing youthful minds and ecological mindfulness are indispensable steps toward a resilient and enlightened tomorrow.

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Maxxis has unveiled the next iteration of its MaxxTerra rubber compound, engineered to substantially enhance both durability and traction for mountain bike tyres. The updated formulation maintains the low rolling resistance that characterises the brand’s performance range, addressing rider demands for extended tyre life without compromising capability on difficult trails.

Following extensive laboratory development and testing, Maxxis engineers achieved measurable improvements over the original compound. The new version exhibits a minimum 30 percent increase in tread wear resistance and a 15 percent gain in grip, all while preserving rolling efficiency. This advancement translates to prolonged riding sessions and reduced frequency of tyre changes for end users.

The enhanced compound will be progressively integrated across the entire trail tyre lineup, with the initial phase currently available. Consumers can distinguish the updated product through packaging marked with a ‘New MaxxTerra’ graphic, while the tyre’s sidewall badge now simply displays ‘MaxxTerra’, replacing the previous ‘3C MaxxTerra’ designation.

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The Goodyear Blimp is set to reclaim the New York City skyline during the upcoming Independence Day celebrations. On 4th July, the iconic aircraft will provide millions of Americans with a unique aerial perspective of Sail 4th 250, a premier maritime event that boasts the largest assembly of tall ships globally. The aerial broadcast is scheduled to commence at 7 AM Eastern Standard Time on NBC’s TODAY Show.

Wingfoot One, a seasoned veteran of the skies with a long history of appearing at significant national events, will be soaring over the metropolis. In a notable operational shift, the blimp will establish its ground presence in Brooklyn for the first time in half a century, marking a historic return not just to the city’s airspace but also to its soil. This strategic move is designed to capture the best possible views of the activities in New York Harbor.

This appearance marks the blimp’s fourth participation in an Operation Sail event, having previously been a staple at the inaugural 1964 celebration, the Bicentennial in 1976 and the Statue of Liberty’s centennial in 1986. Its return for America’s 250th anniversary serves as a natural role for the aerial ambassador of Goodyear, a company that has been rooted in the United States for over 125 years and remains the nation’s sole major tyre manufacturer.

Julianne Roberts, Senior Director, Marketing, said, "For more than half the history of the United States, Goodyear science has contributed not only to the success of the American automotive industry by producing tyres worth bragging about but also to the protection of the country through military service, including blimps that helped ensure the safety of the Navy.”

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MICHELIN Connected Fleet has introduced an artificial intelligence (AI) assistant directly within its MyConnectedFleet web platform, designed to enhance operational efficiency for fleet managers. The new tool delivers immediate, data-driven responses to user queries, significantly reducing the time traditionally spent on manual research and data compilation. By integrating seamlessly into the existing portal, the assistant provides a streamlined approach to managing complex fleet information.

The AI system transforms raw fleet usage data into actionable insights, enabling managers to make quicker, more informed decisions. It supports a wide range of practical requests, from generating reports on driver fuel efficiency and identifying trucks requiring tyre maintenance to checking vehicle availability and calculating monthly fuel costs. The assistant is built as a closed, secure system to ensure the confidentiality of all fleet data, addressing key concerns about information security.

Functioning as a comprehensive partner for managers of heavy goods vehicles, passenger transport and light commercial vehicles, the tool offers real-time analysis of fuel consumption, driver behaviour and journey metrics. It provides immediate answers for both simple safety and cost-related questions and more complex analytical tasks, presenting findings in text or visual formats. Future updates to the solution will be guided by direct customer feedback, ensuring its continuous evolution.

The MICHELIN AI Assistant is currently available to customers across 10 countries, including United Kingdom, United States and several European nations. It leverages over a century of mobility expertise and three decades of data science experience, responding to the belief of most fleet managers that AI will transform their sector. The assistant can also be paired with other technologies, such as onboard cameras and tyre inspection systems, to form a cohesive, practical solution for modern fleet operations.

Sophie Foucque, CEO, MICHELIN Connected Fleet, Europe, Africa and Australia, said, “The AI Assistant is the natural evolution of our DNA, which is built around supporting our customers. Co-developed with some of our largest customers, it offers a more intuitive way to interact with vehicle usage data while removing the need to generate multiple reports. Augmented fleet managers can therefore focus fully on the performance of their operations.”

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