Russia’s OAO Tatneft states production of solid steel core (SSC) tires is to increase at the Nizhnekamskshina factory it commissioned late last year.
According to the manufacturer, this year it will draw upon technology provided by Germany’s Continental to produce 130,000 SSC certified tires in four different sizes, and by the end of the year a total of six sizes will be certified. Starting in September tires will be shipped to the vehicle manufacturer OAO KamAZ for OE fitment on a number of trucks.
Next year, production of SSC tires is planned to increase to 600,000 units, including 200,000 Continental branded tires. The factory’s full capacity of 1.2 million tires is expected to be reached by 2010, and when this level of production is reached the plant will manufacture up to 70% of all SSC tires purchased in Russia, the company reports. The use of SSC tires is said to offer an 8% increase in load capacity and reduce fuel consumption by 15%.
News of the factory’s increasing output comes shortly after Russia approved an increase in customs duties on imported retreaded and part-worn tires. The Aug. 17 decision applies to passenger car, truck and bus and aviation retreads and will come into effect on Sept. 22. Duties will be 20% of customs value of 20 euros, whichever is highest.
According to Sibur Russian Tyres, the decision to raise tariffs on imported retreads was made following a joint request by it and Nizhnekamskshina to the Russian government. Sibur Russian Tyres says the measure is aimed at reducing the importation of used and retreaded tires, products it describes as being less safe and more environmentally harmful than new tires. The tiremaker points out that the responsibility for eventual disposal of these tires – 932,000 of which were imported last year – falls upon Russia rather than the country from which they are exported. (Tyres & Accessories)
