ETRMA reports on European used tyre activities

ERJ staff report (DS)

Brussels - ETRMA, the European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers' Association, said over 96 percent of used tyres in Europe were recovered and disposed of in 2010, an increase over the levels achieved in 2009.

Used tyre collection wil be managed in Italy by a new organisation. The publication of the ELT Decree in Italy constitutes a new opportunity for 2011. ECOPNEUS, an ELT management organisation, will start operating from September 7th.

Also, Turkey began organised used tyre recovery through LASDER, an ELT management organisation, which was set up to fulfill the obligations of Producer responsibility since 29 December 2009 . LASDER recovered 63,000 tonnes of ELTs, fulfilling 100 percent of its legal obligations in 2010.

Last year, about 3.3 million tonnes of used tyres were managed in an environmentally sound manner. This represents 2 percent increase in arisings compared to 2009. After sorting out the data of those tyres going for reuse or retreading, an estimated 2.7 million tonnes of end-of-life tyres (ELTs) were left to be treated. This material flow went into a variety of recycling applications, public works and civil engineering or was used as a fuel substitute in cement kilns, boilers and power plants.

There was a. growth in material recovery (+10 percent) at te expense of energy recovery (-3 percent). In numbers, this means that 1.3 million tonnes of ELTs went to material recovery, and 1.2 million tonnes in energy recovery.

The use of tyre rubber granulate and powder is the main material recovery route (80 percent), followed by civil engineering applications and public works (18 percent), dock fenders, blasting mats (

Fourteen (14) ELT management organisations are operating throughout Europe under the producer responsibility principle. These organisations have been set up by the tyre manufacturers. They are mandated to collect and organise the treatment of an equivalent weight (according to the principle 'one new tyre sold for one worn tyre recovered') of the replacement tyres sold collectively by these organisations' members.

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Press release from ETRMA

Recycling data table from ETRMA