Tire depreciation represents one of the largest continuous operating expenditures for long-haul freight carriers, regional logistics fleets, and heavy construction equipment. To mitigate fleet overhead, AKO Group applies industrial retreading engineering to preserve high-value tire casings whose treads have worn down under rigorous service conditions.
Operating from its plant in Ankara Temelli, AKO Tire Retreading (AKO Lastik Kaplama) services standard commercial trucks up to heavy-duty off-the-road (OTR) and mining equipment tires up to 63-inch rim diameters.
Multi-Process Technological Coverage
The company deploys three complementary manufacturing methodologies tailored to specific commercial operational environments:
Cold Retreading System: Applies pre-cured tread liners over rigorously inspected casings using specialized cushion gum bonding agents, followed by controlled vulcanization in low-temperature autoclaves.
Hot Mold Curing & Orbit Application: Employs automated ribbon extrusion to wrap uncured compound directly onto prepared casings prior to high-pressure press molding, engineered for high-impact industrial applications.
Circularity & Raw Material Conservation: By enabling qualified casings to undergo multiple retreading cycles, the process saves petrochemical feedstocks, natural rubber, and steel reinforcement required for new tire manufacturing, while abating end-of-life tire waste.
Executive Commentary
S. Safa Özcan, Board Member of AKO Group, commented:
We view sustainability across the complete operational lifecycle of a tire rather than limiting our focus to initial manufacturing. Retreading sound casings whose treads have degraded represents a direct application of circular engineering. This approach empowers commercial fleets to manage fleet overhead while ensuring critical material assets remain active in the industrial economy.
Delivering cold, hot, and orbit processes for tires up to 63 inches reflects our deep technical infrastructure across demanding operating segments. A worn tread is not an endpoint; supported by sound casings, precise technology, and rigorous quality inspection, it marks the beginning of an entirely new service cycle.
