Trelleborg, now a part of Yokahama’s worldwide operations, cites rising costs for petroleum-based rubber and manufacturers’ demands for efficiency and lower long-term expenses as factors in seeking more eco-friendly solutions in tire production and recycling.
There are also regulatory bodies that loom large, despite the current administration in the U.S. It all adds up to the company trying to develop products engineered to optimize performance while minimizing environmental footprints.
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By harnessing renewable resources and employing advanced production techniques, Trelleborg Tires says it’s now capable of delivering tire solutions that not only perform but also reduce carbon emissions and the environmental footprint significantly.
Its TM1 ECO Power tire, which is engineered for both electric and fuel-powered tractors, incorporates 65% bio-based and recycled materials.
Similarly, the avanced threads in the XP1000 for material handling equipment are crafted from high-performance compounds made with recycled materials, ensuring longevity and significant emissions reduction, also thanks to an exclusive Pit Stop Line that minimizes waste.
These features contribute to a reduction in carbon emissions on the order of 110 tons of CO2, Trelleborg says, equivalent to the pollution generated by nearly 500,000 miles of driving.
In the construction segment, the EMR range is specifically designed for loader, dumper, and grader applications, with a robust carcass to support eventual retreading.
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Beyond the tire composition, Trelleborg has prioritized fuel and energetic efficiency as a key feature of its sustainable tire offerings.
Sustainable design
Design is key. Thanks to its tread central rib, the TM1 ECO Power has proven extremely low rolling resistance, which enables low fuel consumption and extended battery usage, providing, according to the company, a 47% improvement versus a premium standard tire.
In the same way, the advanced construction and compound formula of the XP1000 provides for extra battery power for electric forklifts and reduces fuel consumption for internal combustion trucks. Also, the EMR1030 is made with strong radial carcass to assure a long operational life featuring low fuel consumption and equal load distribution.
Factoring in the operator
A comfortable driving experience is paramount for operators’ safety and efficiency. By reducing accidents, it becomes a key sustainable feature for tires as well as sustainable asset for companies.
For example, the multisurface tread design of the EMR series delivers control and grip when it’s needed the most, whether on sand, rock, gravel, or soil.
Trelleborg says sustainable tire innovations represent a paradigm shift in the off-highway tire industry, where green design and performance will converge to shape the future of the segment.
About the Author
Frank Raczon
Raczon’s writing career spans nearly 25 years, including magazine publishing and public relations work with some of the industry’s major equipment manufacturers. He has won numerous awards in his career, including nods from the Construction Writers Association, the Association of Equipment Manufacturers, and BtoB magazine. He is responsible for the magazine's Buying Files.