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MRB Reports Successful Road Tests of Ekoprena in Green Retreads
Eastern Treads Highlight Global Expansion Strategy
The Malaysian Rubber Board has carried out a successful programme of road tests in Malaysia to monitor the performance of Ekoprena in retreaded tyres. The results, presented by Dr Zairossani Mohd Nor of MRB during the Asian Retread Conference, claimed to show
Ekoprena can be used in other parts of the tyre, especially the sidewall.
In attempting to quantify the benefit of using Ekoprena in retreads, the MRB has carried out a series of road trials in Malaysia in conjunction with three key fleet users – FGV, Prasarana and NADI. Tests were carried out in
Indian Tread maker Eastern Treads is positioning itself for global expansion back up by an increased presence and tyre and retread related events around the world.
This was much in evidence at the Asian Retread Conference in Kuala Lumpur, where the Oonnukal, Kerala based company made sure it showed
a strong profile by taking one of the exhibition booths in the foyer.
During the event the company also announced the completion of a customisation upgrade to its mixing line, which has been done to improve product
water, clothing, and mattresses. Earlier this year the company announced a global expansion strategy for its retreading business and has seconded its R&D team to develop market- specific retreading solutions for the European and US markets, which the company says it will be targeting. The company has stated it will be opening up sales offices in these markets. As part of its strategy, and in addition to its tread range, Eastern has developed a “one- stop-shop” approach to retreading equipment and has developed a full range of machinery and accessories for
Dr Zairossani Mohd Nor of MRB
a significant environmental benefit of using Ekoprena in the tread rubber of retreads.
Ekoprena is a form of epoxidised natural rubber (ENR) obtained by the epoxidation of natural rubber (NR) latex. Used for tyre applications Ekoprena is claimed to achieve
a variety of applications including intercity and express bus fleets as well as in tanker and cargo fleets. The tests on public transport fleets was carried out on two different bus routes in the Klang Valley near to Kuala Lumpur, whilst the tests on logistics applications were conducted
in three geographical areas – Western Pahang in the East of the country using Kuantan as a base, the central area (Port Klang) and the Southern Peninsula (Pasir Gudang, Johor). The tests on haulage fleets involved 24
cargo vehicles and 24 tankers and involved 500 Ekoprena retreaded tyres.
According to Zairossani the trials showed that all Ekoprena the tyres used gave significantly lower wear compared to the control tyres used in the test (30 per cent lower wear compared to premium retreads) and 40 per cent higher mileage. Together, said Zairossani, this equates to a 25 cost cost reduction for the fleets concerned.
conformity as well as to reduce costs. The company’s tread rubber plant currently has a capacity of 1,000 tons per month.
Eastern Treads is part of the USD 250 million Eastern Group, which has a diversified range of interests beyond tyres including tea, spices, mineral
supply to retreaders. In addition, the company has developed its own state-of-the- art retreading centres in Chennai and Bangalore as process evaluation units to help to develop retread solutions. Plans are also afoot to build a training centre at the Chennai location.
properties not able to be achieved with unmodified NR, in particular, improved wet grip and better rolling resistance.
The Malaysian Rubber Board has been working together with Suntex and GIIB in Malaysia to incorporate Ekoprena in the production of pre- cured treads. These, say MRB, have been tested at MRB’s facilities in Sungai Buloh, Malaysia and well as at TARRC in the UK. Now, says Zairossani, MRB is looking at how
Hercock Outlines Advantages of a Hotcure Fleet Offering
32 Retreading Business
One of the particular characteristics of the retreading market in the UK has been the way in which the leading independent retreaders have re-invented themselves as fleet management companies in recent years. Vacu-Lug, now the UK’s largest independent retreader, is a perfect example of this. The company manufactures 140,000
retreads per year at its plant in Grantham, but no longer does the company define itself merely as a retreader. Retreads still form the major part of the company’s business, but Vacu-Lug now approaches the market as a total fleet management company and currently manages some 36,000 vehicles, plants and trailers across
