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The best available technology (BAT) is the technology approved by legislators or regulators for meeting output standards for a particular process. BAT for a given industrial sector is described in reference documents called BREFs (Best Available Techniques Reference documents). BREFs are the result of an exchange of information between European Union Member States, the industries concerned, non-governmental organizations promoting environmental protection and the European Commission. This exchange of information is referred to as the Sevilla process because it is steered within the Institute for Prospective Technological Studies of the European Commissions' Joint Research Centre, which is based in Seville. The process is codified into law by Commission Implementing Decisions. The most important chapter of the BREFs, the BAT conclusions, are published as implementing decisions of the European Commission in the Official Journal of the European Union. According to the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED), the BAT conclusions shall be the reference for setting permit conditions of (large) industrial installations.

A new report from the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) shows opportunities to expand end-use tire markets and improve tire recycling rates to keep pace with annual scrap tire generation. The 15th 2021 Scrap Tire Management Report found that markets consumed 71 percent of annually generated scrap tires in 2021, down from about 76 percent reported in 2019. This decrease is due primarily to a nearly 13 percent increase in scrap tire generation, while markets to consume them increased by six percent. However, even with this small reduction, scrap tires outperform metal, glass, aluminum, plastic and paper recycling rates. Only automotive batteries and corrugated cardboard have a higher recycling rate.

Every year almost 300 million scrap tires are generated in the United States. One of the most beneficial uses involves producing Ground Tire Rubber (GTR) from scrap tires and using the GTR to create Rubber-Modified Asphalt (RMA). RMA has been used in the U.S. since the 1960s, but extensive market adoption is yet to occur, although use of rubber modified asphalt has increased approximately 50% since 2017. Depending on the application, one lane mile can use up to 2,000 scrap tires. On December 8 from 1 - 4 pm ET, join the Northeast Recycling Council, the Northeast Waste Management Officials Association and the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association as they host a webinar to discuss performance, economic and environmental benefits of using rubber modified asphalt. This workshop will:

The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) and its member companies stand in support of H.R. 8165, the Commercial Vehicle Fleet Retreaded Tire Utilization Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2022, introduced this week by Congressman Tim Ryan (OH-13). The bill would provide tax credits for fleet purchases of U.S. retreaded commercial tires. “Retreading of commercial tires in the U.S. market has steadily decreased over the last 25 years, due in part to foreign alternatives for new tires, which are 65 percent less likely to be retreaded because of their design and construction,” said Anne Forristall Luke, president and CEO of USTMA.

6PPD is an antioxidant and antiozonant that helps prevent the degradation and cracking of rubber compounds caused by exposure to oxygen, ozone and temperature fluctuation. 6PPD is used industry wide to help tires resist degradation and cracking, which is vital for driver and passenger safety. Antioxidants support increased tire endurance. There are no known alternatives to 6PPD that provide the same safety and performance characteristics in a tire.

As the Biden Administration continues to coordinate the implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA), joined by 15 stakeholder organizations sent a joint letter highlighting available technologies to support national infrastructure improvements: rubber modified asphalt and tire derived aggregate. The letter outlined the benefits of these materials and identified the specific provisions within the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law where these materials would qualify for consideration.

As the U.S. administration begins implementation of the historic Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), USTMA is urging congressional leadership to continue working on tire policy and related transportation sustainability initiatives. While the IIJA includes several provisions that would advance scrap tire markets and improve the resiliency of the nation’s infrastructure, USTMA has identified six specific policy proposals – ranging from tax incentives to additional research dollars and procurement commitments – that will strengthen the American tire manufacturing industry and help the country develop roadways with the future in mind.

The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) announced the election of four new members to its Board of Directors during the Board’s January 25 meeting. "I am pleased to welcome these new members to USTMA’s Board of Directors," said Anne Forristall Luke, president and CEO.

End-of-life tires (ELT) are a valuable resource for the circular economy. Of course, natural rubber is important, but it only makes up roughly a fifth of a passenger vehicle's tire. Synthetic polymers, steel, and textiles all play a role in the process.