Tire retreading is a manufacturing process in which new tread is placed on worn tires (casings).  There are two main methods of tire retreading: 1) “Pre-cure” or “cold system” tire retreading and 2) “mold cure” or “hot system” tire retreading.

This type of tire retreading process is where a pre-cured tread (compound rubber that has been cured first) is fixed, with a thin layer of sticky rubber (cushion gum), on top of a used tire (casing) that has been buffed (grated). The tire is put into the chamber at a relatively low temperature, so as not to reduce the strength of the casing, in order to cure the cushion gum between the tread and the casing.

This type of tire retreading process is where uncured rubber compound is fixed on top of used tires (casings) that have been buffed (grated). The tire and the rubber compound is then put into a mold to be cured together which creates the pattern of the tread. The temperature used in the curing process is very high (hot) but only uses a few PSI of air pressure.

Tire retreading was invented by Marion Oliver in the early 1900s. Tire retreading was used extensively in America during WWII and has grown in popularity to become the established global industry it is today.

There are 2 primary reasons to retread: cost reduction benefits and environmental benefits.

This type of tire retreading process is where uncured rubber compound is fixed on top of used tires (casings) that have been buffed (grated). The tire and the rubber compound is then put into a mold to be cured together which creates the pattern of the tread. The temperature used in the curing process is very high (hot) but only uses a few PSI of air pressure.

Tire retreading helps preserve the environment by preventing the need to dispose of worn out tires into a landfill and manufacture new tires. Additionally, retreading tires helps to save a significant amount of oil. To illustrate, a new medium truck tire needs approximately 80 L of oil to manufacture but only needs approximately 25 L of oil to retread.