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The next BIR World Recycling Convention and Exhibition will take place from (26) 27 – 29 May 2024 in Copenhagen. The recycling market has been rocked by the European Commission’s decision to ban crumb rubber infill from use in synthetic turf surfaces at the end of an eight-year transition period. Therefore, the focus has shifted to alternative opportunities, with tyre pyrolysis attracting plenty of headlines, investment and imaginative thinking. Given the huge strides forward taken in this field over recent years, it will again form one of the main topics for debate at the upcoming BIR Tyres & Rubber Committee meeting to take place in Copenhagen on Tuesday May 28.

The UK government's stance on crumb rubber in sports pitches has come under scrutiny following the European Commission's ban on microplastics, which encompasses crumb rubber. Initially, the UK government stated no plans to ban crumb rubber but has since initiated consultations on intentionally added microplastics. Professor Andrew Watterson from the University of Stirling has called for a ban on toxic 3G crumb rubber pitches in Scotland due to identified health hazards.

Around 200,000 tons from Germany exported old tires per year are mainly used in the Middle East as fuel in cement works. Around 140,000 tons of CO 2 emissions are released. The Alliance for the Future of Tires (AZuR) is therefore calling on responsible federal and state politicians to immediately ban the unregulated incineration of German export tire waste in non-EU countries.

After a break, the TRAC Rubber Recycling Symposium returned to its biennial schedule with an October conference in Nova Scotia. TRAC's President and CEO, Carol Hochu, emphasized the collective journey toward sustainability as the central theme of the event. Hosted by Divert NS in Nova Scotia, the symposium delved into sustainability rather than mere recycling, with Divert NS CEO Stacy Breau spotlighting the province's successful stewardship program boasting an 88.5% recovery rate. The recovered material finds application in road construction and engineering projects, with the aim to shift from recycling to a waste reduction approach.

On September 25, the European Commission has introduced a ban on crumb rubber infill, coinciding with the ban on intentionally added microplastics. This move addresses concerns about the use of crumb rubber in sports fields, which initially centered on the PAH content. Research revealed elevated PAH levels, even after reductions, prompting further investigation. The European Chemicals Agency's Risk Assessment Committee expanded the definition of microplastics to include any polymer under 5mm, encompassing most crumb rubber infill.

Episode 51 of the Tyre Recycling Podcast features Patrick Buder, Sustainability Strategy Manager at Zeppelin Systems GmbH. In this podcast, Ewan Scott interviews Zeppelin representative to discuss their groundbreaking initiative: the Sustainable Tire Alliance. Discover how this collaboration is transforming the tyre recycling industry, fostering cross-sector partnerships, and driving sustainability. Learn about their goals, strategies, and the future of tyre recycling.

In Episode 50, the Tyre Recycling Podcast brings an enlightening interview with Federico Dossena, the Managing Director of Ecopneus. The focus in this episode revolves around the potential ban on microplastics and its implications for the Italian market. Join the speakers as they delve into a thought-provoking discussion on the far-reaching consequences of such a ban, exploring the challenges and opportunities it presents to tyre recycling and sustainable practices.

Amid the latest news about the intention of the EU Commission to ban sales of rubber granulate as infill for artificial turf pitches as of 2031, Genan – one of the largest end-of-life tire recycling companies in the world – releases the Letter of Information and detailed Q&A where the company explains what is happening with rubber infill.

On April 26th, the European REACH Committee voted in favor of proposals to restrict the intentional introduction of microplastics in many products. This decision was made after the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) Risk Assessment Committee (RAC) found that uncontrolled microplastics released into the environment pose a risk to health. It is estimated that over 20 years, the proposed restriction would prevent the release in the environment of about half a million tonnes of microplastics, at an estimated total cost up to €19 billion. The proposal will now be subject to a 3-month scrutiny by the European Parliament and the Council before it can be adopted by the Commission.