GRI advances sustainability with 87% eco-friendly farm tires

Colombo – Sri Lankan tire maker Global Rubber Industries (GRI) has started the commercial production of its latest ‘green’ agricultural tire, featuring 87.3% sustainable materials.

Launched during GRI’s ‘green impact’ event in Colombo, 8 Feb, the Green XLR Earth 65+ includes materials such as recycled carbon, “sustainable” highly dispersed silica, natural rubber and renewable oils.

In comparison with GRI’s conventional ‘black’ tire, the new product is 20% more durable and offers an 18% lower rolling-resistance, according to GRI - citing lab results.

As a result, GRI officials pointed out, the Green XLR tire ensures higher fuel-efficiency and, so, offers better economy for farmers.

Design-wise, the tire has a wide footprint, helping it reduce soil-compaction, while rounded tread-lug edges smooth shoulders help to ‘minimise’ soil damage.

In Colombo, GRI also unveiled its latest sustainable solid tire, with more than 93% of its materials sourced from renewable or recycled resources.

Ultimate Green XT is being billed as a ‘non-marking’ materials-handling equipment tire with “exceptional lifetime due to very high abrasion resistance”.

According to CEO Mahesha Ranasoma, GRI has intensified its focus on sustainability with around 8% of its pneumatic tires featuring environmentally friendly materials.

Furthermore, the company has invested in technology upgrades at its sites to facilitate the use of 100% biomass to operate its boilers, and tap solar energy.

The bio-fuel comes from old rubber trees, oat husk and other bio-based waste, GRI also pointing to its use of rainwater for plant processes.

Operational since 2002, GRI has been expanding its business beyond solid tires with a $100-million investment in the production of agricultural tires.

The company’s facility in Badalgama, Sri Lanka, currently has capacity to manufacture 100 tonnes per day of agricultural tires.

GRI’s older solid tire plant also has the capacity to produce 60 tonnes per day of material handling tires.