With our increasing driving population, the demand for local tyres has grown. The South African Tyre Manufacturers Conference (SATMC) and its members Bridgestone, Continental, Goodyear and Sumitomo Rubber SA are leading the way in improving the industry’s impact on the environment.
The industry is currently focussing on four main areas of improvement: proper mutilation and disposal of waste tyres, reduction of materials used in tyres, sustainable sourcing of materials and a reduction in carbon emissions.
Waste Tyres Management:
“In South Africa, the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF) are the custodians of the Waste Tyre Management Plan (WTMP). According to the WTMP, the local tyre manufacturers pay a levy of R2.30 per kg to fund the proper treatment and disposal of waste tyres – helping curb pollution. This means that in order to limit the impact on the environment that tyres that have reached their useful life, waste tyres, tyre manufacturers pay a levy for DEFF to facilitate proper disposal of these waste tyres. The fundamentals of having this work properly is critical for the tyre industry as it ensures waste tyres are disposed of correctly to limit the impact on the environment and that they do not find a way back into the market,” explains Nduduzo Chala, Managing Executive of the SATMC. Waste tyres sold are illegal and are a safety risk for consumers.
Another way of reducing the number of waste tyres that end up in landfills is upcycling: repurposing a product into something with an entirely different use or purpose. Examples of upcycled tyre products include dog beds, tyre ottomans and furniture, see-saws and bicycle stands. Tyres are durable and produce quality products that can be exposed to the elements.
Reduction in Raw Materials used in Tyre Production:
Virtual Tyre Modelling Technology allows Bridgestone to create a digital twin of a tyre at its development stage, reducing the volume of physical prototype tyres and raw materials needed. Bridgestone’s innovative ENLITEN Technology drastically reduces the raw materials used in the production of tyres, saving precious resources making sure that nothing goes to waste.
Sustainable Sourcing of Materials:
Goodyear’s overall corporate reasonability includes the sustainable sourcing of materials. They are exploring using a Soybean oil tread compound in four of their tyre lines to create more sustainable rubber with added traction benefits. They also use Rice husk ash silicate, which helps deliver similar performance as traditional sand-based silica with less environmental impact and waste to landfills.
Reduction in Carbon Emissions:
Sumitomo Rubber South Africa has installed a 1 MV Solar system on their Truck and Bus Radial production facility roof. The electricity that solar panels produce is completely emissions-free, protecting our environment. Solar energy also doesn’t pollute local water resources because solar photovoltaic cells don’t rely on water to generate power, resulting in cleaner drinking water.1
Continental Tyre South Africa won the Industrial Corporate Project of the Year award for innovative industrial energy management projects and outstanding contributions to the energy industry. Continental received this award for a heat recovery project that saved 4.5 million kWh of energy and over R1 million in 2019. This continues to benefit operating efficiencies and reduce the plant’s environmental impact.
The Ecopia, an environmentally friendly and fuel-efficient new tyre presented by Bridgestone, combines a unique tyre compound with fine detailing. This tyre not only reduces fuel consumption but gives a quieter ride and improved road holding, all while reducing CO2 emissions and maintaining Bridgestone’s high quality and safety performance.
“Taking small steps toward making a big change is what makes all the difference. We are proud of our members’ commitment to the environment, and as the SATMC, we continue to push forward for the finalisation of the Waste Tyre Management Plan by the DEFF, which needs to ensure better and effective means of looking after the environment,” concludes Chala.
For more information on the SATMC and what they do, visit http://www.satmc.co.za/ or email info@satmc.co.za.
1. https://www.environment.co.za/renewable-energy/how-solar-energy-helps-our-environment.html
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