How are Car Tires Made?

Introduction

Car wheel rubber is one of the most important materials used in the automotive industry. It is a durable, elastic material that provides a smooth ride and excellent traction on the road. The production of car wheel rubber involves the harvesting of rubber from trees, a process that has been practiced for centuries. In this article we’ll talk about the process of how car tires are made and information on the tire manufacturing industry.

What is Tire Rubber Made of?

Rubber trees, also known as Hevea brasiliensis, are native to the Amazon rainforest in South America. They were first discovered by European explorers in the 16th century, and by the 19th century, they were being cultivated in Southeast Asia. Today, the majority of the world's rubber supply comes from plantations in Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia.

Harvesting of Rubber Tree

The process of harvesting rubber from a rubber tree is known as tapping. Tapping is typically done every other day and involves making a small incision in the bark of the tree with a special tool called a tapping knife. The sap, known as latex, then flows out of the tree and is collected in a container.

The latex collected from the rubber tree is a milky white liquid that contains approximately 30% rubber.

Processing of Rubber

It is then transported to a processing plant where it is turned into solid rubber by a process known as coagulation. Coagulation involves adding an acid to the latex, which causes the rubber to solidify and separate from the liquid.

The solid rubber is then washed, pressed, and dried to remove excess water. It is then cut into small pieces and sent to a rubber factory where it is processed into a variety of products, including car wheel rubber.

The production of car wheel rubber involves mixing the solid rubber with various chemicals and additives, including carbon black and sulfur, to improve its strength and durability. The resulting mixture is then rolled into sheets, which are cut into the appropriate shape and size for use in car wheels.

Key External Drivers of Tire Manufacturing Industry

• Trade-weighted index: The trade-weighted index measures the value of a country's currency relative to its trading partners. Fluctuations in the index can impact the cost of raw materials used in tire manufacturing.

• Consumer spending: The level of consumer spending can impact the demand for new tires as people may purchase new cars or replace worn-out tires.

• Domestic trips by US residents: The number of domestic trips taken by US residents can impact the demand for tires as more travel leads to more wear and tear on tires.

• Total vehicles miles: The total number of miles driven by vehicles can impact the demand for tires as more driving leads to more wear and tear on tires.

• Average age of vehicle fleet: The average age of the vehicle fleet can impact the demand for tires as older vehicles require more frequent tire replacements.

• New car sales: The number of new cars sold can impact the demand for tires as new cars typically require new tires.

Major Players in Tire Manufacturing in the US

• Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company

  • Imports mainly from Brazil, Chile, China, and Columbia

• Compagnie Generale Des Etablissements Michelin

• Bridgestone

  • imports mainly from Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, and Belgium

• Cooper Tire & Rubber Co

• Pirelli & C.

  • imports mainly from Belgium, Brazil, China, and Dominican Republic

• Hankook Tire

  • imports mainly from China and South Korea

  • Product Link: https://amzn.to/40XbDKG

• American Tire Distributors

• Dreamstime.com

• Yokohama Rubber

  • imports mainly from India and Japan

Looking to Buy New Tires?
Link to Tire Selecter on Amazon:

Quick Facts on the Tire Manufacturing Industry

How Many Rubber Tire Manufacturing Businesses are there?

The answer is 327 businesses exist with an annual growth rate expected for the industry between 2023 to 2028 to be 1.3%.

Profit Margin of the Tire Manufacturing Industry

The tire manufacturing industry on average operates on a 3.0% profit margin.

Employment

The tire manufacturing industry employs approximately 60,402 people. This is expecteed to grow to 1.9% between 2023 and 2028.

Source to information provided: IBISWorld

Conclusion

In this article we provided an overview of the tire manufacturing industry, including the process of how car tires are made from rubber trees and the key external drivers impacting the industry, such as consumer spending and new car sales. The major players in the industry are also identified, and a link to a tire selector on Amazon is provided. Quick facts on the industry, including the number of businesses, profit margin, and employment, are also presented. Overall, the article highlights the importance of tire manufacturing in the automotive industry and its impact on the economy.