Tyre Recycling

Tyre recycling - an image of a pile of tyres in front of a sign that says recycling

Tyre recycling –

Tyres keep us moving—literally. But have you ever considered what happens to them once they’ve reached the end of their usable life? At Air-Seal Products, our goal is to extend the life of your tyres as much as possible. While our products work hard to maintain and protect your tyres, even we haven’t cracked the code for bringing them back to life entirely.

What we can do, however, is raise awareness about tyre recycling. By recycling used tyres, we can give them a new purpose, reduce environmental harm, and support sustainable practices.

Every year, millions of tyres are discarded globally, creating significant environmental and health concerns. However, recycling old tyres offers a sustainable solution to these problems whilst also providing economic and social benefits.

Environmental Benefits

  1. Reduction of waste – Tyres are non-biodegradable and take up vast amounts of space in landfills. Recycling these tyres helps reduce the strain on landfill sites, preserving the land for better uses.
  2. Prevention of Pollution – Tyres can take up to 15 years to completely burn down into nothing. But by this time, these tyres have leached harmful chemicals into the water and soil. Proper recycling of these tyres prevents any contamination, protecting the ecosystems and human health.
  3. Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions- Tyres release toxic gases into the atmosphere when burnt. If recycled instead into new products or materials this significantly lowers the carbon emissions.

Economic Advantages

  1. Creating new products – Recycled tyre materials can be used to create many different products including but not limited to rubberized asphalt, playground surfaces, and even furniture. These help increase revenue for different companies as they don’t have to sort unused materials which cost more, to begin with.
  2. Job opportunities – Recycling facilities and industries relying on recycled tyre materials create more jobs in local communities that aid in economic growth
  3. Cost savings – Using recycled materials often costs much less than producing new ones from raw resources, making recycled products an economical choice for manufacturers and consumers.

Health and Safety Improvements

  1. Accumulated tyres are highly flammable and can cause hazardous fires that are difficult to extinguish. Recycling can reduce this fire risk, enhancing community safety.

How YOU can help  

Recycling old tyres begins with individuals and businesses making conscious choices and here is how you can too:

  1. Locate your recycling centres – Find local facilities or drop-off points that accept old tyres.
  2. Support recycled products – Choose products made from recycled tyre material to encourage the industry
  3. Advocate for policies – support policies and initiatives that promote tyre recycling and sustainable waste management

The next time you replace your tyres, consider their potential second life—it’s a small action that makes a big difference.

https://www.michelin.co.uk/auto/advice/change-tyres/car-tyre-recycling

https://ecogreenequipment.com/what-happens-when-we-dont-recycle-tires/

Tyre Tread: The Unsung Hero of Road Safety

Tyre tread: a collection of tyres with ruined tread

Tyre Tread: The Unsung Hero of Road Safety

Tyre tread, which is often overlooked, is one of the most crucial components ensuring safety with your vehicle. All the overlooked aspects such as the grooves, the patterns, and the blocks on the tyres all play a vital role in maintaining traction, channelling water away from the wheel to lower the risk of aqua panelling and providing stability during cornering or emergency braking. However, neglecting tyre tread can significantly compromise your safety on the road, especially in these weather conditions we are having lately.

 

The science behind the tread –

The depth and pattern of a tyre’s tread are designed to handle different environments. For example:

  • Deeper treads – in winter environments grip the snow and ice improving the performance in cold climates
  • Asymmetrical tread patterns – are enhanced for handling higher speeds
  • Directional designs – help channel water away from the tyre for better performance in wet conditions

The legal minimum tread depth is 1.6mm, ¾ of the tyre all the way around. However, experts recommend replacing the tyre once the tread depth has reached 3mm to ensure optimal grip.

 

Innovations in Puncture Prevention –

While tyre tread is vital for safety, punctures remain a common issue for drivers, often occurring in the tread area. Air-Seal Products provides an innovative solution, offering a high-quality tyre sealant that proactively aids in unavoidable punctures. By sealing leaks in the tread area instantly, Air-Seal reduces downtime, puncture repair costs and helps vehicles maintain consistent performance, whether that is on city streets or terrains.

The sealant works by coating the inside of the tyre, allowing it to seal punctures caused by objects like nails or sharp debris. This technology not only extends the life of tyres but also contributes to reduced maintenance costs and enhanced reliability, making it an essential tool for industries and everyday drivers alike.

Staying Safe on the Road –

Regularly inspecting tyre tread, rotating tyres to ensure even wear, and investing in puncture-prevention solutions like Air-Seal Products are simple yet effective ways to enhance road safety. Your tyres are your vehicle’s connection to the road—keeping them in top condition is non-negotiable.

By combining proper tread maintenance with innovative technologies, drivers can tackle the challenges of modern roads with confidence. Remember, the right tread and protection can be the difference between a smooth ride and a dangerous skid.

Air-Seal Christmas Closure

A dog wearing a Christmas Santa hat stood in between lots of wellington boots for Air-Seal christmas closure

Air-Seal Christmas Closure

 

It’s that time of year again when we think we have everything sorted, the house organised, sufficient stock, and ready to go! But there’s always something…THE MINCE PIES!

So, whilst you’re running out to restock the mince pies, save yourself the trouble and check your stock of Air-Seal Products. We don’t want a puncture ruining the beginning of your New Year!

Our One Litre Bottles or 4 Litre Jugs also make an ideal stocking filler for the trickier ones to buy for! Thoughtful and useful! It’s a win-win situation.

We are here all the way up until the 24th of December answering your calls and queries to make sure you have a smooth sailing Christmas. After that, we will be closed to give all our team a well-earned rest. But not to fear as we will be back bright and early on the 2nd of January 2025!

Dates to keep in mind when ordering your restock:

The last collection date for couriers is the 19th of December.

The last collection date for pallets is the 18th of December.

We will still be taking orders after these dates, but these are here to ensure you have your Air-Seal Products in time for Christmas to not interrupt your festivities.

A reminder will be posted on our socials as well so follow along to keep yourself up to date.

If you’re ready to put an order in or not exactly sure how much you need, give us a call at 01823 674411 or email us at sales@air-sealproducts.com and one of our lovely team will be happy to help.

Merry Christmas

From the Air-Seal Products Team 

Lego is the largest TYRE manufacturer in the world

. This is a pile of lego tyres

Lego is the largest tyre manufacturer in the world.

 

Did you know that Lego is the world’s largest manufacturer of tyres? While it’s easy to joke about how much Air-Seal we could put into those tiny tyres, there’s some serious scale behind this claim.

 In 2011, Lego’s annual tyre production reached an astonishing 318 million, surpassing every other tyre manufacturer globally. Fast forward to today, and this number has grown, due to the growing popularity of Lego vehicles—ranging from police cars to the iconic DeLorean.

To mark the 50th anniversary of its first-ever wheel in 2012, Lego celebrated with an official Guinness World Record for being the largest tyre manufacturer. Their production continues around the clock, 365 days a year, in order to keep up with worldwide demand.

Currently, almost 50% of all Lego kits contain wheels after realising using Lego bricks to simulate the wheels just wasn’t a very practical idea. Today, Lego has an impressive variety of vehicles, each with its own unique wheels, and these tyres range in size from 0.57 inches to 4.21 inches in diameter. While we can’t quite install Air-Seal into Lego tyres, the largest tyres we have treated are in Chile. The rim was 63 inches and required 60 litres of sealant in each tyre!

We’re certainly impressed with Lego’s innovative approach to tyres, and who knows? Maybe one day they’ll even create a Lego bottle of Air-Seal!

Jack Frost nipping at your tyres?

Car tyre on an icy snowy road

Dark nights, rainy days, frosty mornings….who’d want a puncture in these conditions!

Don’t get stuck on the side of the road in these conditions. Air-Seal Products prevents punctures, saves money and downtime. We supply the premier tyre sealant, a revolutionary solution for tyre management across diverse industries, whether on or off-road. The tyre sealant is strategically positioned to provide instant puncture repair, covering up to 95% of tread area penetrations, and reducing flat tyre risks.

No glues or gums!! Our liquid-based mechanical tyre sealant is typically applied as a tyre is fitted, sealing rim, bead, and slow air leaks while maintaining optimal tyre pressure. This proactive method brings remarkable benefits, extending tyre life by up to 20% and enhancing fuel efficiency by up to 3%.

Sealing punctures up to 15mm and our heavier grade sealing up to 30mm – No other tyre sealant on the market can match our performance!

For more information please visit www.air-sealproducts or call our offices on +44 (0) 1823 674411.

2024 – 12 Trade Shows down….2 to go!

Cartoon character with binoculars with a speech bubble

12 down and just two more to go…Air Seal Products will be exhibiting at Saltex and Agrifest to finish off this years busy events 

We’ll be up in the east midlands, attending SALTEX at the NEC, Birmingham B40 1NT on the 30th and 31st of October at stand A032 before heading back down south where we will pop back up at Agrifest on the 6th of November at Westpoint, Devon EX5 1DJ. 

 We’ll be demonstrating our premier tyre sealant, banging nails into tyres, showing you just how fast it seals your punctures! We sell Worldwide to many industries including Agricultural and even for your own personal use. We can stop your punctures with just one application!

Come and see us and chat with our friendly team to find out all the benefits of using Air-Seal Products!

We are confident we can help you save money and downtime! See you there!

Air-Seal Products Showcases Advanced Tyre Sealants at MINExpo 2024

Large pnuematic tyres with people stood around

Air-Seal Products Showcases Advanced Tyre Sealants at MINExpo 2024

Air-Seal Products, a leader in tyre sealant technology, made an impact at the recent MINExpo 2024 show in Las Vegas, showcasing its tried and tested products for puncture prevention and tyre maintenance solutions for the mining industry.

The company’s Tyre Sealants, designed to seal punctures up to 30mm and extend tyre life, were a major highlight at the expo. Known for their durability and effectiveness in reducing tyre wear, Air-Seal Products tyre sealants have become essential for industries reliant on heavy-duty vehicles, including mining, construction, and transportation.

Key Features Highlighted at MINExpo:

  • Puncture Prevention: Air-Seal Products can instantly seal punctures caused by sharp debris, helping to avoid blowouts and reducing costly downtime.
  • Extended Tyre Life: By reducing air loss and maintaining consistent tyre pressure, these sealants enhance tyre longevity, resulting in fewer replacements and lower operational costs.
  • Sustainability: The extended lifespan of tyres helps reduce waste, aligning with industry efforts to minimize environmental impact.
3 men - Steve Ben and Said at Minexpo
large machine in a hall with people
Steve stood infront a large tyre
large tyres on a yellow machine

Live Demonstrations

At MINExpo, Air-Seal Products engaged visitors with live demonstrations, where attendees could see the sealants in action. The hands-on showcase allowed industry professionals to witness how effectively the sealants protect tyres in real-world conditions, even on rough mining terrains.

The Air-Seal team was also on hand to provide expert consultations on the benefits of tyre pressure management and how their sealants can be applied across a variety of vehicles, from mining support pick-up trucks to autonomous dump trucks.

Las Vegas all lit up

MINExpo 2024 has cemented Air-Seal Products position as a go-to solution provider for all tyre maintenance, ensuring safer and more cost-effective operations for businesses worldwide.

For more information, visit Air-Seal Products.

We’re exhibiting at The Dairy Show next week!

Cows in a field with Blue Sky

The Dairy Show is an annual British agricultural show,  a must for the farming calendar. Held at The Bath & West Showground on Wednesday 2nd October, gates will open at 8.30am – 5.00pm. Supporting the agriculture industry, the show is packed with seminars, competitions along with a judging programme, trade stands and much more.

We are exhibiting this year so come and see us in the Exmoor Hall 2 on Stand 254. We’ll be demonstrating our premier tyre sealant, banging nails into a tyre showing you instantly how it seals your punctures! We sell to the UK and Worldwide to many industries including Agricultural. We can stop your punctures with one application. Visit our stand and have a chat with our friendly team to find out all the benefits of using Air-Seal Products!

We are confident we can help you save money and downtime! See you there!

Continental Say Short Stubble Risks Tyre Failure

Crop vehicle cultivating the crops in a large field

Moving towards min till systems that require cereal crops to be cut lower than in traditional plough systems can increase the risk of tyre stubble damage. This is according to Continental’s agricultural tyre specialist Tom Godwin, who says:

“Lower or shorter stubbles protrude at sharper angles, with the potential to damage tyres because the stalk will not be pushed over, and can instead dig in. This can cause damage to the lug and, at low pressures, the sidewall, as it bulges under the weight of the tractor.”

Min till cultivation requires the stubble to be shorter to plant the following crop with minimal ground disruption. This, combined with the improved genetics of cereal crops, can leave very strong stubbles that can cause significant damage.

“Using a tyre with a wider lug that leaves less room for stubble damage is one way to mitigate against stubble damage but, fundamentally, tyre choice and pressure will play a bigger part,”

He suggests that Continental developed its D.fine lug design with 5 percent greater lug coverage to protect the area between the lugs. Continental has also added a nylon layer beneath the tread to help make it more flexible. In short stubble Mr Godwin advocates running at higher pressures than would normally be expected for field work.

“Harvest is a rare example of when it can be beneficial to run tyres at higher-than-normal pressure and we recommend up to 0.4 bar. When the ground is already hard, having a tyre at very low pressure will cause the tyre wall to bulge. If this happens when the tyre is constantly being attacked by stubble, it presents a weakness that can lead to tyre failure,” he says.

Having more air in the tyre also helps to keep it cooler in the hotter conditions faced during harvest. Increased pressure tightens the tyre wall making it taller and less prone to stubble damage. However, with higher pressure comes the risk of soil compaction.

“It is a tricky decision to make but if a tractor or harvester is doing long hours, heat build up can become an issue. We therefore suggest that utilising tramlines and headlands for field travel and loading is important to reduce compaction,” he says.

Mr Godwin further suggests that few manufacturers are offering warranties against stubble damage, but says Continental still supports farmers with its tyres made since 2017.

“Continental is the only premium manufacturer offering a 10-year warranty that includes three years stubble damage cover. This is for tyres made in our Lousado manufacturing plant, from 2017, that feature both D.fine and N.flex technology that we believe will be able to better handle the threat of stubble damage,” he concludes.

“Lower or shorter stubbles protrude at sharper angles, with the potential to damage tyres because the stalk will not be pushed over, and can instead dig in. This can cause damage to the lug and, at low pressures, the sidewall, as it bulges under the weight of the tractor.”

Min till cultivation requires the stubble to be shorter in order to plant the following crop with minimal ground disruption. This, combined with the improved genetics of cereal crops, can leave very strong stubbles that can cause significant damage.

“Using a tyre with a wider lug that leaves less room for stubble damage is one way to mitigate against stubble damage but, fundamentally, tyre choice and pressure will play a bigger part,”

He suggests that Continental developed its d.fine lug design with 5 percent greater lug coverage to protect the area between the lugs. Continental has also added a nylon layer beneath the tread to help make it more flexible. In short stubble Mr Godwin advocates running at higher pressures than would normally be expected for field work.

“Harvest is a rare example of when it can be beneficial to run tyres at higher-than-normal pressure and we recommend up to 0.4 bar. When the ground is already hard, having a tyre at very low pressure will cause the tyre wall to bulge. If this happens when the tyre is constantly being attacked by stubble, it presents a weakness that can lead to tyre failure,” he says.

Having more air in the tyre also helps to keep it cooler in the hotter conditions faced during harvest. Increased pressure tightens the tyre wall making it taller and less prone to stubble damage. However, with higher pressure comes the risk of soil compaction.

“It is a tricky decision to make but if a tractor or harvester is doing long hours, heat build up can become an issue. We therefore suggest that utilising tramlines and headlands for field travel and loading is important to reduce compaction,” he says.

Mr Godwin further suggests that few manufacturers are offering warranties against stubble damage, but says Continental still supports farmers with its tyres made since 2017.

“Continental is the only premium manufacturer offering a 10-year warranty that includes three years stubble damage cover. This is for tyres made in our Lousado manufacturing plant, from 2017, that feature both d.fine and N.flex technology that we believe will be able to better handle the threat of stubble damage,” he concludes.

Nearly half of breakdowns caused by tyre issues

Damaged tyre on the side of the motorway

A worrying 47.6 per cent of all breakdowns on UK Motorways and A-roads over the last three years were caused by tyre issues, according to motor insurance loss adjuster Claims Management & Adjusting (CMA).

In February, National Highways confirmed that there were 5,934 tyre-related incidents on the Strategic Road Network (SRN) in 2021, rising to 7,095 in 2022 and 7,762 in 2023, including blowouts which led to serious collisions.

Philip Swift, technical director at CMA, said:

“From a fleet and insurance perspective, this new data gives a great insight into highway claims costs. The first thing we noted was that the cause of many incidents was not specified. Stripping these out, the true scale of the tyre problem became shockingly obvious – they have increased year-on-year since 2021 and now cause roughly half of all highway breakdowns.

Carriageway closures cause huge disruption and can also lead to sizeable insurance claims involving infrastructure repair costs. Unlike out of fuel, for tyre issues you have to ask: Who was negligent? For years, we’ve been highlighting a worrying rise in ‘swerve to avoid’ and ‘tyre blowout’ claims. If an incident was caused by debris that should have been cleared, far from accepting blame, there could well be a case for making a ‘red claim’ for damage to your vehicle. A contractor we met was blunt – the safety push to reduce the number of carriageway crossings by staff has unfortunately led to an increase in debris.

A further factor to consider is the high number of vehicles now fitted with a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). These days, there’s often hard evidence with which to either refute a claim against a driver or pursue the relevant authority if appropriate. This is an underappreciated area of motor insurance that drivers, fleet operators and insurers would be wise to gen up on.”

Busy month of Trade Shows for Air-Seal Products

Ben Collard from Air-Seal & Kaleb Cooper from Clarkson's Farm
June has been a busy month for Air-Seal, as they have recently attended two national events: the Road Transport Expo (RTX) and the Cereals Event.

Road Transport Expo (RTX): From June  4-6, 2024, Air-Seal Products joined the bustling scene at the RTX, held at NAEC Stoneleigh. This expo is a must-attend for anyone involved with HGV fleets. At their stand, Air-Seal Products showcased their top-tier sealants designed to keep tyres in peak condition and to avoid costly downtime. Visitors got to see the live demos, chat with the team, and even snag some exclusive show deals. 

Trade Show Stand with Demo Tyre
Ben Collard, Alex Burnand of Air-Seal with Kaleb Cooper and friends

Cereals Event: Just a few days later, on June 11-12, 2024, Air-Seal Products set up at the Cereals Event, the UK’s go-to event for the arable farming community. This event was packed with everything related to farming. Air-Seal’s stand was a hit, with live demonstrations showing how their tyre sealants can keep farm machinery running smoothly by sealing punctures and maintaining tyre pressure. Attendees had their chance to talk directly with the Air-Seal team and take advantage of special event offers, we even saw the odd familiar face – Kaleb Cooper from the Amazon TV series Clarkson’s Farm!

Both events were fantastic opportunities for Air-Seal products to connect with their audience, demonstrate the benefits of their products, and offer some great deals. 

If you missed Air-Seal at either of the above events. Fear not! The team will be attending the Hillhead exhibition at Buxton Quarry from the 25th – 27th June.