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Recently, the Tyre and Rubber Recycling magazine published an article on a Spanish study that suggests that microplastic loss from artificial turf can be limited. Every year, the Spanish tire industry manages 300,000 tons of end-of-life tires, of which about 75,000 tons are utilized as filler for artificial turf pitches.

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.

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.

In January, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) presented a proposal seeking the restraint of the microplastics applications; the presented document relies on the Chemicals Agency’s studies of the threats that the added microplastics pose to environment and human health. All businesses, including tire recyclers, that are affected by the new proposal on microplastics of European Chemicals Agency, are welcome to reach the ECHA, as the organization will launch public consultation that will last until September 20. Meanwhile, ECHA called on the enterprises to make early submissions to facilitate the process.

According to recent news from the European Chemical Agency, (ECHA), its Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC) supports restricting the use of intentionally added microplastics while recommending more stringent criteria for biodegradable polymers. The Committee for Socio-economic Analysis (SEAC) agreed on its draft opinion, which will soon be available for consultation. Below, we quote the original article. The full article can be found at Cosmetic OBS or in the Tyre & Rubber Recycling magazine.

The EMEA Synthetic Turf Council (ESTC) takes note of the publication of the European Commission's recommendations for the implementation of limitations for the introduction of purposely added microplastics onto the European market (Annex XVII REACH1). The best strategy to limit microplastic emissions, according to the Commission, is to ban the sale of purposefully added microplastic infill for synthetic turf systems in the future (most often, end-of-life tyre shred).

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.

The European Recycling Industries’ Confederation (EuRIC) strongly rejects an EU proposal that will indirectly ban materials from tyres as part of its effort to eradicate microplastics. Each year around 150 million tyres are processed for recycling annually – that’s one tyre for every three EU citizens. This rubber from recycled tyres has a wide range of everyday benefits that may not always be obvious – including essential materials for artificial football pitches, children’s playgrounds, and filling potholes.

Genan – one of the largest end-of-life tire recycling companies in the world – reports that the political discussion about the use of rubber granulate in artificial turf pitches has now been launched by the EU Commission. In its recent article, Genan informs that different committees under the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) have been asked to provide their assessments during the process leading up to the Commission recommendation. These committees include the Risk Assessment Committee (RAC), which recommends a total ban on the use of rubber granulate with a 6-year phase-in period, and the Committee for Socio-Economic Analysis (SEAC), which in addition to the ban proposes the alternative of installing Risk Management Measures (RMM) on pitches to prevent spreading.