Green manufacturing is emerging as a new direction for the tyre mould industry, with eco-friendly processes being adopted at an accelerating pace

With the steady advancement of the national ‘dual carbon’ strategy, the tyre mould industry is accelerating its transition towards green manufacturing. Recently, the China Rubber Industry Association published the *Green Manufacturing Guidelines for the Tyre Mould Industry*, which aims to guide enterprises in adopting environmentally friendly processes and energy-efficient equipment, thereby reducing energy consumption and emissions during production and promoting the industry’s sustainable development.
Tyre mould manufacturing has traditionally been a high-energy-consumption and high-emission industry. Processes such as casting, heat treatment and machining consume significant amounts of energy, whilst the use of cutting fluids and cleaning agents generates a certain degree of pollution. In recent years, leading enterprises in the sector have actively explored green manufacturing technologies, achieving significant progress in areas such as dry cutting, low-temperature processing, waste heat recovery and waste recycling.
Dry cutting technology represents a major breakthrough in green manufacturing. Traditional machining requires the use of large quantities of cutting fluids for cooling and lubrication, which not only consumes resources but also creates challenges regarding the treatment of waste fluids. Dry cutting technology achieves efficient machining without the use of cutting fluids by optimising tool materials, coatings and cutting parameters, thereby reducing costs and eliminating waste fluid pollution. Currently, this technology has been successfully applied in the milling and turning processes at some enterprises, with cutting efficiency improved by more than 15%.
Low-temperature machining technology is also gaining traction in the tyre mould industry. Traditional electrical discharge machining (EDM) is relatively energy-intensive; however, new low-temperature EDM technology reduces processing temperatures by optimising discharge parameters and working fluid formulations, thereby lowering energy consumption and electrode wear. At the same time, low-temperature machining improves mould surface quality and extends mould service life.
In the casting and heat treatment sectors, the application of technologies such as waste heat recovery and waste sand regeneration has significantly reduced energy consumption and solid waste emissions. Some enterprises have also introduced photovoltaic power generation and green electricity to further optimise their energy mix.
Industry experts point out that green manufacturing is not only an environmental requirement but also a key pathway for enterprises to reduce costs and enhance efficiency. As environmental regulations become increasingly stringent and the carbon trading market gradually matures, green manufacturing capabilities will become a vital component of the core competitiveness of tyre mould enterprises. It is recommended that enterprises increase investment in green technology R&D, actively apply for green factory and green product certifications, and seize the initiative in green development.
Leading enterprises such as Nachuan Mould have taken the lead in implementing green manufacturing practices. Through process optimisation and equipment upgrades, they have reduced energy consumption per unit of output by more than 20%, setting a benchmark for the industry’s green transition. It is anticipated that in the coming years, green manufacturing technologies will be widely adopted across the tyre mould industry, significantly enhancing the sector’s overall level of green development.