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Tyre and Road Wear Particles (TRWP) are tiny debris which are formed during normal driving conditions from the friction between the tyre and the road necessary to ensure sufficient grip and safety. Because of their size and composition, these particles are commonly associated with microplastics; yet the generation of TRWP is influenced by a variety of external factors including, but not limited to, tyre design, such as vehicle characteristics, road surface, weather, road topology and driving behaviour.

Globally, over one billion tires become unusable yearly, presenting a valuable resource for the circular economy. Efforts to manage end-of-life tires (ELTs) are underway, with various stakeholders collaborating to improve recycling rates and reduce tire dumping. The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) Tire Industry Project (TIP) has facilitated workshops to foster cooperation among stakeholders in regions such as the US, Europe, and China. While progress has been made in ELT recycling rates, challenges remain, including policy inconsistencies and inadequate market reporting.

The CEOs of 10 leading tire manufacturers gathered to confirm a two-year Tire Industry Project (TIP) workplan focused on research and action for sustainability in the tire lifecycle, including tire-emission research and end-of-life tire management. TIP’s workplan for 2024 and 2025 builds on its established program of scientific research with enhanced action and stakeholder engagement across projects relevant to environmental, social and governance (ESG) in the tire sector.

The association reports that together with its end-of-life tyre (ELT) Forum ETRMA organised a Workshop to exchange ideas on the end of life tyres derived materials and the regulatory framework that could improve quality, market uptake as well as establish an internal market for such materials. To this end, ETRMA’s Advisor for End of Life Tyres Management Support, Mr Jose Maria Bermejo presented the proposal of the industry to overcome the current obstacles and promote the use of secondary raw materials from tyres, the association reports.

Recently, Tire Industry Research and its CEO David Shaw – acknowledged industry expert with over 30 years’ experience at analysing and commenting on the global tire and rubber industry – published interesting analysis on tire & road wear particles (TRWP). Industry briefing on TRWP Because the issue of tire & road wear particles is now such a hot topic across the industry, Tire Industry Research has prepared some briefing notes on the subject. This was necessary because a lot of the commentary in the public domain contradicts the latest science and appears to be confusing – and possibly meant to confuse.

The European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers’ Association (ETRMA) reacted last week to the novel scientific investigation by the Air Quality Expert Group (AQEG) on tire and road wear particles (TRWP) that conventionally form part of non-exhaust emissions, saying that it welcomed it and was carefully reviewing the probe. The association agreed with the researchers’ conclusion that there is the need for more studies that would help understand better non-exhaust emissions from scientific perspective.

Tyre Stewardship Australia (TSA) has released a new report to help Tyre Derived Product (TDP) processors, manufacturers and users increase their knowledge of the environmental and health risks around use of end-of-life (EOL) tires. The Tyre Particle Health, Environment and Safety Report 2022 pulls together findings from global research to provide a useful summary of what the world knows about the contribution of tire and road wear particles (TRWP) to chemical and microplastic pollution.

At its Board meeting of 9 November, ETRMA Members elected Chris Delaney of Goodyear as President of the Association for a two-year term of office starting on 1 January 2024. Mr Delaney is President EMEA of the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company and currently serves on the Board of ETRMA. Dr Ralf Holschumacher of the German Rubber Industry Association (WDK) was elected Vice President at the meeting.

Continental has taken on the role of fourth co-chair of the Tire Industry Project (TIP). With this step, the tire manufacturer is further emphasizing its comprehensive commitment to sustainability. Continental will contribute resources and its long-term expertise in the areas of end-of-life tires, sustainability assessment methods, and sustainable materials. The Tire Industry Project (TIP) is a global CEO-led initiative of leading tire manufacturers in the context of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). TIP is the tire industry’s most important global forum for sustainability issues.