Ecopneus has received the Technological Innovation award at the 20th edition of the Premio ASI Sport & Cultura, held on 20 December 2025 at the Salone d’Onore of CONI in Rome. The award recognises Ecopneus’ long-term work in developing and promoting recycled rubber applications across sports, urban infrastructure and other public uses.

Accepted by Ecopneus General Director Giuseppina Carnimeo, the award highlights the company’s role in transforming end-of-life tyres into high-performance materials for applications ranging from sports surfaces and playgrounds to urban furniture and rubber-modified asphalt. The initiative reflects a circular economy approach supported by continuous research and development, demonstrating how environmental responsibility and sports performance can advance together.

Over the past 15 years, Ecopneus has invested in chemical and physical testing, field trials and applied research, working with universities, research institutes, companies, sports federations and professionals such as biomechanists and athletes. This collaboration has enabled the development of advanced materials, including Tyreplast, as well as certified sports surfaces such as FITP-approved recycled rubber padel courts and FIBA-certified modular flooring systems.

According to Ecopneus, the company’s Tyrefield sports surfaces are designed to meet the specific needs of different sports disciplines while reducing environmental impact. According to the company, these surfaces improve athlete stability, balance and coordination, while their shock-absorbing properties help reduce stress on joints and lower injury risk.

Beyond material innovation, Ecopneus’ activities also focus on promoting sport as a tool for social development and on raising awareness of recycling and sustainability. Projects include the redevelopment of sports facilities in disadvantaged areas, the donation of basketball and volleyball courts, and the installation of recycled rubber surfaces in schools, often accompanied by educational programmes on sustainability.

Speaking at the award ceremony, Carnimeo noted that recycled rubber applications currently account for around 41% of recycled rubber use in the sports sector. She emphasised the importance of expanding access to durable, high-quality and sustainable sports infrastructure, particularly in local communities and schools, as part of a broader vision for the future of sport and circular resource use.

Learn more about the topic on Ecopneus website.