The proportion of retreads on the replacement car and truck tire market in Europe still varies widely.
For car tires, retreads make up only 1-2% of the market in Switzerland and the Netherlands, but this figure rises to over 20% in Scandinavia. In Germany, retreads account for around 10% of car tires, a proportion which rises to 20% for winter tires.
For truck tires, the proportion of retreads is much higher, ranging from around 40% in Spain to over 70% in Finland. In Germany and France, retreads make up around half of the replacement tire market for trucks. Over 15 million truck and bus tires are used every year across the EU. Of these, around 8 million are new tires, and over 6 million are retreads.
Retreading plays a particularly important role in aircraft tires, which are subjected to extreme stresses. Aircraft tires have to withstand huge strain at speeds of over 250 km/h, and undergo retreading after around 150 take-off and landing manoeuvres. Retreading can take place up to twelve times. The testing procedures are naturally very stringent here, and safety takes top priority.
High-quality retreading is the alternative to new tires for commercial vehicles, since it offers safety, top running performance and an excellent cost-benefit ratio. More and more consumers are recognizing and coming to appreciate the positive image of high-quality retreads.