Innovative airless mechanical wheel is an alternative to costly rubber mining tires

With a real-world solution to a costly tire problem affecting the mining industry, Global Air Cylinder Wheels (GACW) has recently raised $3.2 million under Regulation CF for its third equity crowdfunding campaign as part of its broader strategy to secure additional funding to fulfill purchase orders, accelerate commercialization, and expand its innovative wheel technology operations around the globe. 

Air Suspection Wheel technology to boost mining operations

At the core of GACW's offering is the Air Suspension Wheel (ASW) technology, a non-pneumatic, mechanical wheel constructed primarily of steel, integrating in-wheel suspension and damping through nitrogen-filled air cylinders and integrated dampers. This unique design replaces the pollutive and failure-prone rubber tire with a stronger, safer, and more sustainable alternative.

Mining operations face high tire replacement and maintenance costs, safety risks from overheating, and significant environmental liabilities from tire disposal. Rubber tires are expensive and account for the mining industry's largest expense, together with fuel and payroll. Rapid wear and tear caused by impacts, rock cuts, and extreme and uneven loading mean the lifespan of an expensive mining tire is short.

Key advantages of the ASW include:

• Durability: Designed to last the lifespan of the vehicle (10-15 years)
• Safety: Eliminates the risk of overheating or explosion
• Sustainability: 100 percent rebuildable and recyclable, with replaceable treads reducing waste
• Adaptable: The mechanical wheel design can be adjusted to the payload, speed, sideload, size, weight, and other requirements
• Cost savings: Potential for up to 60 percent lower lifetime ownership cost than traditional tires
• Time savings: Individual treads can be replaced without removing the wheel, a time-consuming process that takes up to eight hours with OTR rubber tires
• Environmental impact: Reduces microplastic pollution, landfill waste, and emissions
• Fuel saving: Due to the reduced rolling resistance, the ASW also saves on fuel​

The mining sector, with its urgent need for durable, sustainable tire solutions, remains GACW's primary commercialization target. Beyond mining, the technology holds potential for expansion into other heavy industry verticals, as well as future opportunities in electric vehicles, commercial trucking, military equipment, and logistics.

"Our mission is to redefine what's possible for industrial wheels," said Harmen van Kamp, CEO of Global Air Cylinder Wheels. "We are committed to delivering a product that solves real-world problems: reducing costs for operators, increasing safety for workers, and dramatically cutting environmental harm. With our funding strategy, production plan, and growing pipeline of orders, we're well-positioned to make the Air Suspension Wheel the standard in mining and beyond."