Vaculug Urges UK to Mandate Retread Tyres in Public Fleets

Vaculug has submitted evidence to the Cabinet Office consultation, Public Procurement: Growing British Industry, Jobs, and Skills, urging a mandate for retread tyres across public-sector fleets. The Grantham-based retreader says the move would reduce costs, lower emissions and support UK manufacturing. The submission, published today (3 September 2025), sets out savings, carbon data and international precedents to guide policy makers.

What Vaculug Is Proposing

Vaculug’s response calls for procurement rules that require public fleets to specify retread tyres where suitable duty cycles exist. According to the submission, retreaded tyres are produced to the same safety standards as new tyres and can be reused more than once, cutting whole-life costs by 30–50%. It argues the policy would also lock in circular-economy gains and reduce import dependence — outcomes aligned with the consultation’s aims.

“Mandating retreaded tyres in public procurement is a win-win-win for the economy, the environment and the UK’s industrial base. Britain is behind the international curve on this one.”  “It isn't just a cost-cutting measure; this would be a strategic policy re-alignment to match the UK's Net Zero ambitions, support thousands of skilled jobs in British manufacturing and position this government as a leader in sustainable public procurement.”  Jorge Crespo, Vaculug

Cost and Carbon Case for Public Buyers

The submission cites headline figures frequently associated with retreading: up to 50% lower acquisition cost than new, and significantly lower cost-per-mile over a tyre’s life. Retreading typically uses far less raw material and energy per casing, helping fleets cut embedded emissions while keeping products in circulation for longer duty. These points are presented as evidence for a proportionate mandate on retread tyres in eligible categories.

Vaculug also notes the UK retreading sector contributes an estimated £230 million to the economy and supports more than 5,500 skilled jobs, a potential beneficiary of a stable, rules-based public market for retread tyres.

International Context

Vaculug’s paper highlights established use of retread tyres in government fleets overseas. In the United States, federal and state bodies (including postal and municipal fleets) have long adopted retreading for heavy vehicles. Several EU member states also integrate retreads into national procurement and circular-economy programmes.

The company argues these examples show how mandates can drive savings, scale recycling and underpin domestic jobs, outcomes it says are within reach for the UK public sector.

Market Readiness and Recent Moves

Vaculug points to its UK manufacturing base and service capability for public buyers. In August, the firm was named as a supplier on the Crown Commercial Service RM6353 framework for tyres and related services, covering a broad mix of public fleets. The agreement includes supply of UK-made retreads and data-led tyre management across councils and blue-light services.

The company’s sustainability credentials have also been in focus this year. Vaculug became Europe’s first B Corp-certified tyre retreader in February a signal of audited social and environmental standards that many public buyers now reference.

What Happens Next

The Cabinet Office consultation, which closes at 5pm on 5 September 2025, invites views on using procurement to grow British industry, skills and resilience. Vaculug’s retread tyres proposal is framed as a “low-cost paperwork change” that would embed circular-economy outcomes in fleet categories where retreads are technically appropriate. Officials will review submissions before setting out next steps.

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Tagged with: retread tyres, public procurement, public sector fleets, Cabinet Office consultation, tyre retreading, circular economy, UK manufacturing, fleet management, carbon reduction, B Corp, Crown Commercial Service, sustainability policy

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