According to a report by TyrePress, Vaculug has submitted a proposal to the UK Cabinet Office consultation Public Procurement: Growing British Industry, Jobs, and Skills, calling for retreaded tyres to be mandated in public sector fleets. The company argues that such a policy would cut costs, create jobs, and support national sustainability objectives.

Vaculug highlights that retreads use 70% less raw material than new tyres, reduce energy consumption by 68%, and prevent around 115 kg of CO₂ emissions per tyre. Each retread also saves about 68 kg of landfill waste. Beyond environmental benefits, the practice could save the public sector millions of pounds annually, with retreads costing up to 50% less and delivering 30–50% lower lifetime costs per mile.

The company notes that the UK tyre retreading sector already contributes an estimated £230 million to the economy and supports over 5,500 skilled jobs. However, while European countries such as France, Germany and Italy, as well as US federal and state governments, mandate retreads in public fleets, the UK relies on voluntary measures. Retread penetration in UK public fleets is currently only 10–30%, compared with over 70% in similar European fleets.

Jorge Crespo, UK Managing Director of Vaculug, said: “Mandating retreaded tyres in public procurement is a win-win-win for the economy, the environment and the UK’s industrial base. Britain is behind the international curve on this one. It isn’t just a cost-cutting measure; this would be a strategic policy re-alignment to match the UK’s Net Zero ambitions, support thousands of skilled jobs in British manufacturing and position this government as a leader in sustainable public procurement. It is a cost-free policy change that simply requires amends to the procurement paperwork. The evidence is clear and the international precedent is well-established. Now is the time for the UK to make the change.”

Founded in 1950 and based in Grantham, Lincolnshire, Vaculug is Europe’s largest independent tyre retreader and was the first tyre company in Europe to achieve B Corp certification.

Read the full article at TyrePress.