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Are 4x4 Remoulded Tyres Safe?
07 June 2016


What is tyre retreading/remoulding?

Remoulding is the process by which the carcass of a used tyre is recycled. The remaining tyre tread on the used tyre is stripped away and new rubber is moulded to the carcass in order to replace the sidewalls and tread with a new, roadworthy finish.

How is a tyre remoulded?

There are several different ways to produce tyre remoulds, all of which should use tyre carcasses (referred to as casings) which have been fully inspected to ensure they have not previously been repaired after irreparable structural damage that could be considered dangerous. This is important, because if the casing is damaged then the tyre will not be fit for retreading and should be discarded. The steel components of the casing will also have to be inspected for any rust, with the casing being discarded, should any rust be present.

The remaining tread and the sides of the casing are then buffed using a machine, to remove the excess rubber, removing any imperfections along the way. Any imperfections are patched up using a rubber cement compound and sealed to remove any air bubbles in the casing. New rubber is now fed into a machine to get it up to a temperature that makes it malleable enough to work with. The rubber is then fed onto the tyre casing to build up the tyre to a minimum tread depth requirement, or more, depending on the tyre that’s being worked on. Rubber is also built up on the sides of the tyre, while any air pockets are removed so that the rubber is well adhered to the casing. The mould applies pressure and heat to the tyre creating the imprint of the tyre tread, after which any excess rubber from the mould is removed for a clean finish.

Are remoulded tyres dangerous?

All remoulded tyres should now be manufactured in accordance with ECE Regulations 108 and 109, which state that it is obligatory for all remoulded tyres to go through a tyre type approval test. This ensures that all tyres follow a set standard and all remoulded tyres go through tests before and after the tyre retreading process. All remoulded tyres that follow these standards should be marked with an “e”. It is now illegal to sell any retreaded tyres without the “e” mark on them.

As long as you buy remoulded tyres that have gone through the relevant testing and have been marked with the obligatory “e”, there should be no danger in using them. Provided that you follow the manufacturer’s recommendations when it comes to driving at higher speeds, inflating your tyres at the correct level, and changing tyres after increased or uneven wear, remoulded tyres can be a more eco-friendly way of buying tyres for your vehicle.

All remoulded tyres for sale are now heavily regulated and do not pose any real danger to motorists, as long as they are replaced at a sensible stage in their life cycle, much in the same way as any new tyre that has seen wear and tear will eventually need replacing. Insa Turbo tyres which are manufactured in Spain, only use premium grade casings which are less than 5 years old. 

What are the benefits of retreading tyres?

Retreaded tyres are safe despite the preconceptions that a lot of motorists have about them, and this is the norm for heavy load vehicles such as lorries and aircraft. According to the European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers Association, “40-45% of truck tyres on the EU market are retreaded tyres, i.e. about 5 million tyres in 2012”.

In fact, in some instances a remoulded tyre can be safer than a brand new tyre for trucks and lorries. Retreaded tyres for waste disposal lorries are sometimes fitted with a reinforced shoulder to protect the tyre from damage that can occur from scraping the curb. 4x4 remoulded tyres can save you on average 25% against a brand new manufactured tyre.

Remoulded tyres also mean a lesser impact on the environment, with a remould requiring approximately 30-35% of the natural resources needed to make a brand new tyre. The production of a brand new tyre will inevitably use a lot more oil than a remoulded tyre, meaning a lot less of an impact is felt on the environment, reducing landfill and saving energy that would have been used to produce a brand new tyre.

Looking for further advice on remould tyres? Or are you looking for a set of brand new 4x4 tyres? Use our tyre selector to find the right set of tyres and wheels for your 4x4 vehicle, and we’ll put you in touch with you nearest Tyre Centre for installation.


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