What is Retreading?

Retreading is a process that provides tyres with a second life by giving a new tread to a worn tyre. It is essential that casings are carefully inspected before retreading, to ensure that there is no casing damage that could reduce the safety and performance of the retreaded tyre.

When the casing has been approved, the worn tread is buffed away and a new tread is bonded to the tyre casing. There are two different process techniques (hot and cold), but both are similar to the manufacture of a new tyre, bonding a new tread through the application of heat and pressure for a predetermined time.

Attracted by the cost savings, long-haul truck fleets are the major market for retreaded tyres. But passenger cars, off-road vehicles, delivery vans, farm equipment, earthmovers and aircraft can all use retreads.

Safety

Retreaded tyres are manufactured to high standards, using highly sophisticated machinery. There is no doubt that professionally-made retreads are as safe as new tyres.

Economy

With lower production costs than new tyres, retreads have a purchase price that is normally between 25 % and 50% lower than comparable new tyres. With the Bridgestone retreading program, you will get virtually new performance for around half the cost.

Environment

Whilst today’s leading transport companies are always striving to improve their products to ensure a continuous drive, they also understand the need to limit consumption of the earth’s natural resources. Retreading is a recycling process and a successful program like ours is one way to help preserve and sustain our environment.

Tyres are basically petrochemical products and the manufacture of a single truck tyre uses up to 80 litres of oil. Since approximately 70% of that oil is found in the tyre casing, which is reused in the retreading process, only about 25 litres of oil are needed to retread that same tyre. A medium-sized fleet using only 500 tyres a year would therefore help save more than 27,500 litres of oil annually. In addition, the disposal of casings in landfills is considerably reduced. So retreads are in fact recycled tyres that conserve oil and make a positive contribution to sustainable development.