KIAS Recycling, the only end-of-life tire plant in Austria located in Ohlsdorf, dedicated to breaking down end-of-life car and truck tires into their constituent elements to create usable materials.

Truck tires of various sizes clutter the area outside the company premises, alongside car wheels. Managing Director Christian Zirgoi notes that all that remains are tire shreds the size of a hand.

At KIAS Recycling's tire recycling plant, the tires undergo shredding, grinding, and sieving processes, enabling the separation of their individual components: spring steel, textile fibers, and rubber, which is then processed into flour or granules.

These reclaimed materials are in high demand and find markets easily. For instance, the rubber is sought after by mat manufacturers or utilized in road construction projects.

However, the tire business has faced challenges recently. While KIAS can recycle up to 30,000 tons annually, last year's processed amount dropped to 15,000 tons due to tire shortages.

Concerns arose about the tires' destination, with indications suggesting exports to Turkey for cost-saving incineration, despite unclear specifics.

Interestingly, Swiss waste management companies are now favoring processing in Ohlsdorf due to lower CO2 emissions compared to incineration. This trend directs tires to the Traunviertel region, where individuals also dispose of their used tires for a fee of 1.50 euros per piece.

Source: Kronen Zeitung