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GERMANY
Trichloroethylene Use Banned by 2016
Trichloroethylene (TRI), a solvent used in tyre cleaning products and adhesives is to be banned in open applications in the European Union by 21/04/2016. This is in accordance with REACH regulation policies (Appendix XIV of 17.04.13). The European Union has issued a ban on the
have a lower specific weight) High costs of disposal are avoided
TRI-free systems from REMA TIP TOP are CHC- and aromate-free
Rema Tip Top urges its clients to utilise the upcoming months to change both themselves and
use of trichlorethylene (TRI) in open applications.
This ban will be strictly enforced within all countries of the Eur0pean Union. 21.04.2016. By 21/04/2016, all stocks must either be used up or disposed of.
Rema Tip Top AG has drawn its own conclusions regarding the coming Europe-wide TRI ban and has already ceased production of products containing TRI at its German/ European production facility. Only TRI-free products will be manufactured at the German/ European production facilities of Rema Tip Top after this date.
What is the issue for the repairer and retreader?
Solvents that do not contain chlorinated hydrocarbons (CHC) are flammable. For this reason, the safety regulations that apply to application and storage of these products are different.
What advantages does early changeover bring?
TRI-free systems are future- proof TRI-free systems are less expensive
Avoiding of unnecessary time pressure on use
Reduction in weight when transporting (TRI-free systems
their clients over to TRI-free solvents and adhesive systems. Under the theme “Rema Tip Top Tri-Free” the company is starting an information campaign that will help the industry to prepare its TRI exit.
More information can be found on a specially-prepared website www.rtt-tri-free.eu, where readers can find further information, including the following subjects:
• Important background information
• Choice of replacement products
• Regulatory deadlines
• Checklists and other aids
periods of 10 minutes, they have to run 10 km/h faster every time, thus verifying that they work optimally and without fail also at speeds that are about 20 km/h higher than the permitted speed index.
In addition to this, by taking into account the safety aspect, a shearography machine from Steinbichler is used at Reifen Hinghaus. It would be too time- consuming and cost-intensive to inspect every single tyre, but, following the final inspection and by means of spot checks, the retreaded tyres are inspected for separation. “What we do is inspect the balance of every tyre after it has been buffed. Here we permit a maximum of 50 grams of static unbalance. This ensures that, prior to being prepared for shipping, the completed retreaded tyres comply with this level as a minimal criterion.”
How did Reifen Hinghaus succeed at manufacturing retreaded tyres of such a high standard? “We work together with a number of highly experienced and competent companies. Based on the cooperation with one of the
leading companies in research and development, rubber mixtures have been developed that are suitable for high-performance tyres. These mutually developed recipes are passed on to our suppliers of raw materials who then produce these mixtures exclusively for our tyres. Double safety is provided by samples, which are tested in locally-situated laboratories in relatively short timespans, with the purpose of continually verifying the tyres’ suitability. The times in which retreaded tyres were manufactured with inferior-quality rubber are long gone. When compared with the market, and so as to be in a position to compete with new tyres, we have no alternative but to offer this high tyre quality, both with regard to
the rubber mixture as well as the profile designs.” With the guarantee of 2 years on their retreaded tyres, the seal of quality awarded by TÜV Nord, as well as the compliance with the ECE norms 108 and 109, which are awarded by KBA, Reifen Hinghaus is in no way inferior to new tyres. An important starting point for the manufacturing of products of outstanding quality is the consistent availability of high- quality casings that satisfy the stringent requirements at Reifen Hinghaus. Nowadays, it is no mean feat to find casings that comply with the specifications. Thus the company never tires of seeking casing dealers who can provide the required quality in the
necessar y quantities – which,
when considering the emissions balance, are of course preferably sought in Europe but also in countries far away, such as the East coast of the United States of America.
We are always looking out for new markets. Especially in Russia and in South America the demand for alternatives to new tyres, which are both cost-intensive and have a great impact on the environment, is growing. But also countries in Europe where one would already have expected a much larger share of retreaded tyres, have caught up and have gravitated toward the recycled alternatives.
Whether legislative provisions will have a particular influence on this, still remains to be seen. Perhaps we should not forget that the obligation of fitting winter tyres also only became mandator y in Germany in December 2010.
Yet another aspect that should not be neglected when deciding what tyres to purchase is the consideration of the life cycle assessment. Increasingly, the end consumers set great store by buying products that have been produced by taking account of the environment resources and utilisation of these in an increasingly sustainable and responsible manner. Apart from the fact that the retreaded tyre companies already recycled their products in times during which hardly anyone considered recycling an option, process optimisation can have a material and energy- saving effect in the manufacturing process. Since 2013, Reifen Hinghaus has covered 30 per cent of its energy requirements with a new photo-voltaic plant. After the move to the present location back in 2010, with the purpose of reducing the emissions, the entire production site was equipped with filtration plants of the latest generation.
Readers can find out more about Reifen Hinghaus at Reifen Essen at its booth in Hall GA 127, where Reifen Hinghaus will be delighted to welcome its international audience.
28 Retreading Business