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EU Tire Labelling

Mandatory as of November: New EU labeling makes tires consumer-friendly

Drivers will be happy to know that starting in November 2012, all tires manufactured after July 1 must be labeled in Europe. Through this regulation, the European Union aims to raise awareness among consumers and focus their attention on the issues of greater safety, but also on fuel consumption and noise emissions. Tire labeling, meaning mandatory labeling for tire manufacturers in the form of a sticker or label on new tires, will be familiar to many because of its similarity to the system used for refrigerators.

This information for consumers has turned refrigerators from power-guzzling villains into energy-saving heroes in just a few years. Tire labeling with categories A to G, which LANXESS has supported from the outset, will change tire markets in the future, for instance by increasing demand for performance tires. According to calculations by LANXESS, the percentage of premium tires will increase by over 70 percent by 2015. And for good reason: A car with category A tires has a braking distance that is about 20 meters shorter at a speed of 80 km/h than a car with category F tires.

What is more, tire labeling is a major issue in other places besides Europe. South Korea similarly is planning to introduce mandatory tire labeling this year. The United States and Brazil have similar intentions, while Japan already has had tire labeling since 2010, albeit on a voluntary basis.

Premium tyres save gas

Labeling gives tire customers the opportunity for the first time to distinguish eco-friendly products from those that have a greater impact on the environment, and to weigh the purchase price against anticipated savings. This system of information offers consumers an important decision-making aid when purchasing new tires. The label shows consumers a tire's fuel efficiency (fuel consumption), wet grip (safety) and noise emissions.

The rolling resistance of category A tires is about 40 percent lower than category G tires. Performance tyres are more expensive to buy, but they reduce fuel consumption by five to seven percent. In the long term, consumers benefit from these savings on fuel. For example, at a fuel price of EUR 1.60 per liter, a car that travels 15,000 kilometers a year and consumes seven liters of fuel over a distance of 100 kilometers, saves over EUR 130 with category B tires compared to F tires. In other words, the additional investment of EUR 20 to EUR 50 per “Green Tire” pays off in less than two years.

The key objectives for 2020 are:
Cutting energy consumption by 20 percent
Reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions by 740 billion tons
Cutting energy costs by EUR 100 billion per year

Traffic forms a substantial part of the EU efficiency plan. 18 percent of the global CO2 emissions are related to traffic.

The new EU regulations aim to improve energy efficiency and safety standards of future tires. Enable consumers to make informed purchasing decisions.

20 to 30 percent of the fuel consumption of a vehicle is related to tires. 24 percent of a vehicle's CO2 emissions is related to tires. So choosing the right tire does make a great difference.

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