Ascenso arrived at EIMA with its new, soil-protecting VF Technology range, that perfectly blends advanced tread designs and extra strong casing with high performance steel belts.
The company, which has launched more than 800 tyre products over the last four years and claims specialities across industrial, material handling, earthmoving and forestry sectors in addition to its agricultural focus, says the new tyre range has been designed to meet farmers’ changing expectations of how a tyre should perform.
“More and more farmers have realised that they can farm better when they use well-designed tyres,” says the company’s CEO, Dhaval Nanavati.
“From the advanced tread designs to the extra-strong casing with high performance steel belts, the V-range not only upgrades the tyres’ performance on metrics such as traction, roadability and load-carrying, but brings important new measures such as fuel eLiciency, soil health and the ability to cope with changing tillage practices too,” he explains.
The new tread design provides the tyre with a longer, wider footprint when operating at the low pressures expected of the VF designation. That means more gripping edge to provide maximum traction without slippage.
“Slipping tyres is one of the main factors involved in soil damage and compaction from machinery,” explains Mr Nanavati. “Rightly so, farmers are increasingly aware of the perils of soil damage. The V-range gives them a valuable new option that fully recognises the importance of soil health, and how tyres can play an invaluable role in soil protection.”
Ascenso, which already supplies OEMs around the world directly, and through channel partners, says that as a challenger brand it’s been able to focus firmly on sustainability.
“It’s more than just soil protection, important though that is. Tyres that perform better – less rolling resistance, less slip, better traction, and so on – also allow a significant reduction in fuel consumption.”
“But it’s not just about that lighter footprint in the field”, says Mr Nanavati. “Tyres are consumables.
“First, we have to make them last, which is why we developed the new Special Stubble Resistant (SSR) compound, to reduce the wear and tear from more and more no-till cultivation operations taking place in stubble fields.
“But that’s not enough. We also have to reduce the environmental footprint – the resource- use – involved in their manufacture.”
That’s why Ascenso has initiated its ‘Tread Green’ philosophy. The initiative aims to conserve and protect natural resources for future generations through exemplary environmental stewardship.
“With Tread Green, we’re committed to bringing our carbon footprint down to zero, through greener infrastructure and a series of specific activities,” explains Mr Nanavati.
The initiative has already met key milestones, receiving Edge Green Building certification for its greenfield manufacturing plant at Panoli, India. The plant has delivered a 30% saving in overall energy use, a reduction of 78% in water usage, and its construction has 65% less embodied energy in its materials.
Ascenso also plans to procure wind and solar power for the Panoli plant which, combined with the other carbon savings and reduced CO2 emissions, should see an overall reduction of more than 8,500 tonnes of CO2 every year.
“Ascenso’s tyres are designed for today’s farmers – meeting their dual needs of unfettered performance and reliability, alongside environmental credentials and sustainability.
“Good tyres should meet those needs, and it’s why we believe we can become the most preferred brand not just in agriculture, but throughout the wider OHT sector,” concludes Mr Nanavati.
Source: Tyretradenews
