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ARC
Vacu-Lug’s Tim Hercock
the UK.
Managing Director Tim Hercock attended the ARC and explained the basics of Vacu-Lug’s fleet management system, the key to which he said was internet based activity management and web reporting. This, he added, was backed up with Vacu-Lug’s own independent service network as well as access to the network of ATS Euromaster, the UK’s largest truck tyre dealership.
Hercock then went on to talk about the advantages of hot cure retreading with particular reference to some of the key aspects of Vacu-Lug’s production process, namely the use of multi-segmented presses, high
pressure moulding, premium first life casings and high performance compounds, which have allowed the company to make headway in the demanding logistics market with their Logistik range of tyres. Hercock emphasised the importance of being able to offer a one-stop shop to fleets and went on to described the company’s own multi- brand strategy encompassing the three new tyre brands of Pirelli, Yokohama and Westlake combined with Vacu-Lug’s own three-tier range of retreads Logistik, Duramold and Trakmila, as well as the company’s recently acquired machinery and accessory subsidiary, the Tyre Equipment Company.
SRI Offers Commercially Viable Volume-Based Devulcanisation Technology (DVR)
Malaysia based Sekhar Research Innovation Sdn Bhd (SRI), has started to push the marketing of its patent pending devulcanisation technology and is now looking to identify potential licensees on a global basis. The news follows the successful opening of a showcase production facility in Sungai Buloh, Malaysia in 2015, which is now
successfully supplying devulcanised rubber compound (DVR) to tyre and retreading industry clients in Malaysia and other ASEAN countries.
The latest developments at SRI were revealed by Company Founder and Chief Technology Officer Gopinath B. Sekhar during the recent Asian Retread Conference in Kuala
SRI Company Founder and Chief Technology Officer Gopinath B. Sekhar
Lumpur. According to Gopinath Sekhar, the company’s devulcanisation technology, which converts material from waste truck tyres into devulcanised rubber compound, which can be used in blends with virgin compound for use in new tyres and retreads without significantly changing the compound’s properties, is a “truly sustainable solution that can help offer an environmentally friendly solution to the global waste tyre problem.”
SRI’s technology works by selectively breaking the sulphur crosslinks in vulcanised rubber, rendering them unavailable by keeping the main carbon-carbon backbone intact.
The technology is used together with SRI’s proprietary equipment and general rubber processing machinery. The system guarantees low energy consumption and emits zero waste to produce the SRI DVR compound, which is supplied in 20 kg bags.
According to Gopinath Sekhar SRI
has solved the key problem faced by other exponents of DVR technology – namely how to make it a saleable process, the main issues being how to create a system that is low energy and can produce DVR in sufficiently high volumes whilst also ensuring adequate shelf life. SRI’s devulcanised rubber has a guaranteed shelf life of six months. A further benefit is the fact that the compound does not affect the rolling resistance of the tyre, thereby supporting positively the targets of the tyre industry.
The SRI plant at Sungai Buloh is SRI’s first licensee plant and is operated by the Group’s wholly owned subsidiary Blue Olmek Sdn Bhd. At the facility Blue Olmek manufactures rubber compounds from end of life tyres for reuse in new tyres, retreads, automotive components and various industrial and general rubber goods. The compound is supplied locally in Malaysia and to other countries in the ASEAN region.
