State of the Tyre Industry in South Africa

South African Tyre Manufacturing

The SA pneumatic tyre manufacturing industry comprises four companies, operating six factories, all of which are controlled by international groups. Many hundreds of companies also import other international brands of tyres into SA.

The SA tyre manufacturers, the location of their factories, and the source of ownership are:  

The industry manufactures new pneumatic tyres of rubber of a kind used on passenger, commercial, agricultural, mining, construction and industrial vehicles and implements. The total SA market for tyres is approximately 12 million units per year. The SA tyre manufacturing capability equates to just over 1% of world tyre manufacturing capacity albeit at a very high technical level. 

Growth in this industry lies in the export market either as consignments of tyres or fitted to exported vehicles.  The local market growth is dependent on the increase of the vehicle park. In general modern tyres are lasting longer and therefore limit market growth.

The SA industry previously manufactured aircraft and bicycle tyres as well as inner tubes but ceased production of these items due to the very low prices of the imported product.

The SA manufacturing industry directly employs about 6,000 people. Five of the factories are situated in areas with higher than average unemployment levels, namely Port Elizabeth, Uitenhage, Ladysmith and Brits.

Standards in the industry  

The South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) is responsible for the creation of standards for the SA tyre industry.  This is to ensure that the product on offer to the consumer conforms to minimum international safety standards. The newly formed National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) applies the compulsory standards through the regulation of all tyres manufactured and imported into SA.   

Application of tyre standards

Passenger and Commercial (light truck, truck and bus) tyres are subject to the compulsory SABS standards, VC8056 (Passenger) and VC8059 (Commercial).  These tyres are homologated (approved) and regulated by the NRCS. Any company wishing to manufacture or import a new tyre of these categories is obliged to obtain a NRCS homologation certificate for the brand, model and particular size before offering it for sale in SA.  The NRCS carries out ongoing inspections at the warehouses of manufacturers and importers to ensure that all the new tyres in stock have been homologated. Customs also plays a role in this case.  

The NRCS maintains a website www.nrcs.gov.za that lists all the homologated tyres.  The site lists the name of the company that has homologated the tyre, the brand, the model and the size.  The data base contains over 14,500 items.  

New tyres for motorcycles, aircraft, agriculture, mining and construction are not subject to any compulsory standards.

For information on retreaded tyres

Non-compulsory SABS standards exist for Passenger and Commercial retreaded tyres.  The intention is for these standards to become compulsory sometime in the future to ensure safety.

For information on second-hand tyres

No standards regarding the quality of second-hand tyres (part worn tyres) offered for sale exist but according to the Road Regulations, renders a vehicle un-roadworthy if fitted .  Despite the efforts of the new-tyre industry, the standards authorities have proved reluctant to progress this issue.  From surveys done between 70% and 90% of used tyres removed from vehicles should be scrapped but are often sold as part worn tyres with consequential high accident and death numbers on our roads.

The tyre industry is constantly exploring various methods to prevent the high rate of vehicle accidents caused by poor tyre maintenance.  Educating vehicle owners, traffic officials, police and toll road authorities regarding tyre maintenance is seen as a vital step towards the prevention of tyre failure.  

The advantages of the waste tyre project are

Another project undertaken by the tyre industry is to train and guide SARS Customs Officials regarding  the compulsory standards and regulations during the importation of new and used tyres.  This has been successful and the delegates are enthusiastic about applying the knowledge gained during the courses.

In general

The global challenge is to remain cost competitive with innovative products such as run-flat technology, lower rolling resistance and longer lasting tyres. Many well known imported brand holders are searching means in proving their seriousness to deal with the environmental problems surrounding waste tyres.

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