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BIPAVER
the most crucial aspects in deciding whether it will be possible to create a usable IT- tool is establishing whether the rolling resistance values of the various brands of casing are within workable parameters.
To begin with, therefore, groups of casings will be buffed to 2mm above the steel and tested for rolling resistance. If the variation in rolling resistance is deemed to be within workable limits then the project will continue. If the variation is too wide the nightmare scenario will occur and the project will be dead in the water. In this case the future for SME retreading in Europe will be bleak.
If, as BIPAVER hopes, the project carries on, a series of 500 tyres will be tested to create a database of results from which the algorithm/ IT-tool will be created. Once the project is completed, retreaders will be able to input tread depth, tread width, tread radius, tyre size, tread pattern, shore hardness and elasticity to create a banding label for noise, wet grip and rolling resistance. Once the label has been printed though, it will remain the responsibility of the retreader to make sure his tyres conform to the banding, as the process will, as previously mentioned, be a part of ECE 109.
The Financing of the Project
As already explained, the cost of the project will be funded largely by the EC. Under the
FP7 programme the EC will finance 75 per cent of the project less a 5 per cent contingency budget to allow for any of the consortium partners going into administration. As the testing costs for the project amount to 1.8 million Euros, BIPAVER has placed a 2.5 million Euro value on the project, in order that all the testing costs will be covered by the EC.
Basically, what happens is a follows; the various consortium partners provide inputs in terms of money, tyres, testing facilities, time etc. In order that the project is carried out (each consortium partner already has a budget for this). At the end of the project the EC pays back the consortium partners 75 per cent of what they have spent.
So What Happens Next?
At this point the Retyre Project will be ended and a usable IT- tool will have been created. However, the consortium partners will be out of pocket (as they will have only received 75 per cent of their outlay). At the same time the intellectual property rights of the IT-tool will lie with the consortium partners.
In order to get round this problem BIPAVER proposes to buy back the IP rights from the consortium for 240,000 Euros, this being the amount of the total cost of the Retyre Project that according to EC rules has to be paid by the consortium
partners in hard cash.
In order to raise this money BIPAVER proposes to make a charge to the member associations of BIPAVER over a two and a half year period. The amount each countr y will pay has been calculated according to Europool’s truck tyre replacement market figures. The retreading industr y in Germany will therefore need to raise approximately 58,000 Euros, Italy 49,000, the UK 47,000, the Netherlands 11,000, Sweden 9,000, Portugal 8,000, Czech Republic 8,000, Denmark 5,000 and Finland 4,000.
So how will the distribution of the
algorithm be managed? This is where things begin to be a little less clear, as much has to be decided within BIPAVER. However, the indications are as follows;
- Fees for use of the algorithm will probably be on a per tyre basis
- BIPAVER member organisations will be responsible for making the algorithm available within their countries and, as IPR owners, will be able to benefit directly from it.
- Retreaders who are not members of their national association will be charged a premium for accessing the algorithm.
- Retreaders in countries, who do not have a trade association that is a member of BIPAVER, will also be charged a premium.
- The Implications
As yet there are many unanswered questions. What will be the costs be for unaffiliated retreaders? How much will retreaders who are members of BIPAVER associations be charged – if at all? What will the ongoing costs be? Will the fees be administered by BIPAVER or by member associations? Will the fees be administered by BIPAVER or by member associations? Will the associations be allowed to compete with each other or will they need to acquire from their own countr y? What about the new tyre manufacturers who are large enough to run their own testing? Will they be able to opt out of using the algorithm or, if the use of the algorithm becomes part of ECE 109, will they have to buy from their national associations?
Much has to be decided – but, as they say, watch this space. The next few years within the European retreading industr y promise to be ver y interesting.
Bandvulc is one of Europe's leading independent retreaders and is at the forefront in developing processes and technologies that ensure consistency and quality. The future may ensure that others have to follow in their footsteps
New Tyre
Regs Coming
From next November, truck operators buying new tyres must be given product performance information. The EU 'Tyre Labelling Regulations 1222/2009' will require that customers must be provided with a standardised 'label' or fact-sheet with specific product information on any tyre they purchase.
The data on fuel efficiency (determined using a common industry rolling-resistance scale), wet grip performance, and noise, must be available to customers at the point-of-sale before they purchase a tyre. However, the information will not be shown on the tyre itself. The implementation date is from November 2012 for tyres produced from July 2012. Also due in November 2012, within the 'General Safety of Motor Vehicles 661/2009' directive, will be new regs governing the maximum level for rolling resistance (8 kg/tonne Stage 1) as well as a maximum limit for noise - 73 dB(A). Implementation date is November 2012 for all new tyre approvals, and from 2016 for all replacement tyres.
The implementation of the labelling laws on retreads is under consideration and the consultation will be presented not later than 2016.
It is expected that retreads will also have to be issued with a similar labelling system to new tyres.
Tyre labelling is coming for retreads and if the tyres don't make the grade they won't be able to be sold
14 Retreading Business