Vipal Rubber strengthened its commitment to the development of Chile’s transport sector by participating in the Technical Seminar “New Regulations for Road Freight Transport,” promoted by ChileTransporte A.G. The company supported the event, which brought together transport operators, authorities, and industry representatives to discuss regulatory changes and the technical and operational challenges associated with the modernisation of the sector in the country.
Vipal at ChileTransporte
Topics included the Weighing Law, electromobility and axle weight, special loads, vehicle dimensions, border crossings, and the Freight Transport Bill. These discussions affect vehicle configurations, fleet operations, and, consequently, the tyres used.
“Being present at an event that brings together different stakeholders from the transport sector allows us to closely follow the industry’s transformation and understand the challenges that will have a direct impact on fleet operations. For Vipal, this dialogue is essential so that we can contribute our technical expertise while also being prepared to support transport operators in meeting the market’s new regulatory and technological requirements,” says Paola Ferrada, General Manager of Vipal in Chile.
New Challenges for Fleets
Issues such as potential changes to weighing and axle-weight regulations may lead to changes in vehicle configurations, the number of tyres, and tyre sizes. During the event, participants discussed configuration changes involving 295/80R22.5 tyres and alternatives such as 445/50R22.5.
Likewise, the advance of electromobility creates new demands related to the greater weight of vehicles and increases the importance of solutions that meet requirements for axle loads, performance, safety, and efficiency. In this context, Vipal seeks to work alongside fleets not only as a product supplier, but also as a technical partner, contributing expertise in tyre selection and maintenance, pressure monitoring, repair, casing management, and retreading. This role is increasingly important in a market where cost control remains a key factor in transport companies’ decisions.
According to Ferrada, the analysis should consider not only the initial investment in a tyre, but also its total operating cost, performance, safety, and the possibility of extending the casing’s useful life through retreading. “Proper tyre management has a direct impact on fleet performance. Our role is to support transport operators so they can achieve the best possible performance, control costs, and make decisions based on sound technical criteria. In this process, retreading plays an important role because it makes it possible to extend the use of the casing and contribute to a more efficient and sustainable operation, if it is carried out under the appropriate processes and controls,” Ferrada emphasises.
Closer Ties with Chile’s Transport Sector
Participation in the event continues Vipal’s closer engagement with ChileTransporte. In 2025, the company had already supported an activity promoted by the association, which expanded its contact with some of the country’s leading transport companies. Since then, this relationship has continued to develop through initiatives in the tyre retreading sector, the dissemination of technical knowledge, and more efficient tyre lifecycle management.
Chile holds a strategic position for Vipal’s operations in Spanish-speaking Latin America, particularly due to the level of technological adoption among its fleets. The growth of electric vehicles, particularly in passenger transport, is one example of this transformation and is creating new demand for tread patterns and technologies suited to these operations.
“We believe that sharing this experience is a way of supporting the sector’s evolution. For this reason, we intend to continue working alongside transport operators and other organisations, promoting dialogue and training so that we can move forward together toward increasingly efficient, safe, and sustainable transport,” Ferrada concluded.
