The UK government is "missing a trick" by treating high-quality retread tyres as an optional extra in public sector procurement, according to the managing director of Europe's largest tyre retreading business.
In an opinion piece exclusive to Tyretech.net, Vaculug's managing director highlighted the stark contrast between voluntary retread usage in UK public fleets - which can be as low as 10% - and the over 70% penetration seen in eligible fleets in the US and some EU member states.
"The solution to both the economic and environmental challenge is sitting in every fleet depot - the retread tyre," the Vaculug chief stated, pointing to the intense pressure on commercial fleet operators to deliver cost savings whilst meeting stringent net zero targets.
The comments come as bipartisan legislation moves through the US Congress to mandate and incentivise retread use. Two bills - the Resilient Tire Supply and Jobs Act and the Retreaded Tire Jobs, Supply Chain Security and Sustainability Act - aim to strengthen domestic manufacturing and provide a tax credit of up to $30 per retreaded tyre for eligible purchasers prioritising US-made products.
The legislative push has attracted strong industry support. In October, major organisations including the Tire Industry Association (TIA) and the Tire Retread & Repair Information Bureau (TRIB) led a delegation to Capitol Hill to advocate for the measures.
"The goal is to strengthen supply chains, cut costs, and support American workers… and make sure lawmakers understand what's at stake," said TIA Chief Executive Richard Gust.
The business case for retreads is compelling. A retread costs 30% to 50% less than a new tyre, whilst retreading a single truck tyre saves 70% of the raw material and oil used in new manufacturing. Fewer tyres also end up in landfill.
Vaculug recently made these points in a submission to the Cabinet Office consultation on public procurement, arguing that whilst frameworks from organisations like the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) offer retreads as an option, they do not compel public bodies to use them.
"The time for voluntary measures is over," the managing director argued. "Mandating a minimum 30% retread usage in public procurement is a pragmatic policy that aligns with the government's strategic objectives for economic growth, net zero and supporting UK jobs."
Such a policy would level-set the UK's domestic industry against lower-quality imported new tyres - described as "single life tyres, the equivalent of single-use plastic" - whilst sending a clear signal supporting investment and skills in remanufacturing and the circular economy.
The call comes at a time when local authority budgets are under increasing pressure, with fleet operators serving public sector clients particularly affected. A mandatory retread policy could deliver immediate savings for local authorities and UK taxpayers whilst helping meet environmental targets.
"By adopting this policy, the UK would be aligning with global best practice and immediately delivering economic and environmental benefits," the Vaculug boss concluded.
Tagged with: retread tyres, public sector procurement, Crown Commercial Service, RM6353, fleet cost savings, circular economy, raw material reduction, supply chain resilience, tyre remanufacturing, local authority fleets
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