Bonn, May 16.05.2023, XNUMX Controversial puncture protection: According to the tire manufacturer, Seal tires should be able to prevent punctures. However, the seal technology has shortcomings both in terms of safety and environmental protection. The ZARE initiative draws attention to the fact that Seal tires cannot be recycled.
Self-sealing tires, so-called seal tires, have a viscous adhesive layer on the inside that seals minor damage such as nail punctures on the tread. This is to prevent a flat tire. However, experts warn that self-sealing tires provide a "false sense of security" because tire damage often goes unnoticed and can pose a safety risk.[1]
But safety is not the only problem: Seal tires also pose a significant risk in terms of environmental protection. Seal tires make disposal more difficult because the layer of sealant cannot be removed after the tires have been used. Self-sealing tires are therefore unsuitable for retreading or material recycling - they can only be incinerated. Environmentally friendly tire recycling in the sense of the circular economy is not possible with Seal tires.
More effort - higher costs
Disposal companies also have a significantly higher effort with Seal tires: They have to be separated from conventional used tires and sorted. Tires with seal technology are often not recognizable as such. If they get into a shredding plant, there can be massive disruptions and even fires. At the same time, other used tires are contaminated and can then no longer be used for material recycling. The disposal fees are therefore usually higher for Seal tires.
Environmentally friendly waste tire disposal
Drivers can do a lot for the environment by doing without Seal tires and disposing of old tires properly. Certified waste disposal companies collect old tires, sort them professionally and take them to the most sustainable disposal method - including tire retreading and material recycling. Many sustainable products such as asphalt, floor coverings for playgrounds or load securing for transport can be made from recycled rubber granulate and powder from ELT (End-of-Life-Tyres). The valuable components of tires are thus used sensibly, resources are conserved and less waste is produced.
[1] https://www.krafthand.de/artikel/truegerische-sicherheit-65007/
About the ZARE initiative
The ZARE initiative is an amalgamation of 19 companies organized in the Federal Association of Tire Trade and Vulcanizing Trades (BRV), 17 of which are certified waste management companies. The ZARE partners have set themselves the task of raising awareness of professional tire recycling in Germany. ZARE informs drivers about the environmentally friendly disposal of used tires. At 26 locations, the ZARE partners cover almost all of Germany and the Netherlands.
The partners of the initiative are:
Allgemeine Gummiwertstoff und Reifenhandels GmbH, Bender Reifen Recycling GmbH, CVS Reifen GmbH, Danninger OHG Spezialtransporte, G & K Recycling Utsch GmbH, Hartung Speditions-, Handels- und Transport GmbH, HRV GmbH, KARGRO BV, KRAIBURG Austria GmbH & Co. KG, KURZ Karkassenhandel GmbH, Mondo Reifenmarkt GmbH, MRH Mülsener Rohstoff- und Handelsgesellschaft mbH, NZ-Entsorgung eK, PVP Triptis GmbH, Reifen DRAWS GmbH, Reifen Külshammer, Reifengruppe Ruhr, REIFEN OKA - Reifenhandel, Reifen Recyclingbetrieb Brenz GmbH, TireTech GmbH
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Press release as Word document
Picture: high_disposal_effort_for_seal-and-silent-tyres
Caption: Environmentally friendly tire recycling in the sense of circular economy is not possible with Seal tires.
Source: KURZ Karkassenhandel GmbH
