New tyre strategy for CEMEX UK

Strategic and smarter use of low rolling resistance tyres yields significant CO2 savings

WITH a fleet of 300 cement and aggregates vehicles covering more than 15 million miles per annum, tyres are a key part of the economic equation for CEMEX UK.

In 2011 the company started work to develop a new strategy and the latest development is the introduction of low rolling resistance tyres.

Following field trials in the cement fleet, it has been decided to introduce Continental low rolling resistance tyres on a rolling programme across the whole fleet.

It was found that the tyres reduced annual vehicle CO2 emissions by more than three tonnes per vehicle, while giving a longer life and fuel savings.

CEMEX say this strategic and smarter use of tyres has yielded significant savings, and with the construction market under ever-increasing pressure these savings go a small way towards balancing the rising cost of other materials used in the production of building materials.

The company’s new proactive and structured approach to tyres looked at ways of targeting and reducing waste, testing and finding the optimum tyre solutions for different vehicles, with better tyre husbandry, extended tyre life and improving fuel efficiency.

The fleet tyre policy uses a tailored range of Continental heavy-goods tyres, which are carefully managed and reworked to give maximum lifespan, optimum performance and fuel economy.

Environmental benefits have resulted through extending the life of the tyre, effectively giving it four lives. Every retreaded tyre can save up to 68 litres of oil, 44g of rubber and the equivalent of 182kg of CO2 compared with a new tyre.

Craig Williamson, director of supply chain and logistics with CEMEX UK, said: ‘Our approach to tyres means we are seeing economic and environmental benefits which go some way to off-setting the rising cost of operating a professional fleet.’