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Synthos – a chemical producer and a major player in the global synthetic rubber market – will be actively participating in the upcoming Tyre Emissions & Sustainability Europe 2024 conference. The conference, scheduled for February 28-29 in Prague, addresses environmental challenges and aligns with the upcoming Euro 7 legislation in 2025, which imposes limits on tire wear to mitigate microplastics. Synthos is a Gold Sponsor of the conference, underlining its commitment to supporting initiatives that promote positive change in the industry.

European Commission asks the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) to assess potential risks in playgrounds. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in synthetic turf infill materials will be reviewed for potential risks by ECHA. The European Commission (EC) ordered the agency to analyze any dangers to children in a letter dated January 6 to ECHA executive director Sharon McGuinness. The study's scope includes loose mulches and granulated PAHs used in playgrounds, gardens and landscaping. According to the EC, the assessment's goal is to determine if the respective applicable concentration limits for eight PAHs found in infill materials are effective.

UK’s Tyre Recovery Association (TRA) issued a statement where it reacted to the recent proposal by the European Chemical Agency to ban tyre-derived crumb rubber infill in the EU. Below, we quote the full original press release by the TRA. A proposal by the European Chemical Agency (ECHA) to ban the use of tyre-derived rubber infill in sports surfaces has been deemed incomprehensible and counter-intuitive by members of Britain’s Tyre Recovery Association.

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.

According to a recent Virginia Mercury article, Republican Delegate Thomas Garrett's proposed legislation aims to address issues related to tire recycling in Virginia. The bill, which recently passed a House subcommittee, seeks to increase the state's fee on new tire sales to support recycling efforts. Additionally, it mandates tire producers to register with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and utilize licensed haulers for transporting end-of-life tires to approved recycling facilities.

Australian government scientists have expressed increasing concerns about the potential risks to human health and the environment posed by synthetic turf, and they are calling for further investigation and regulation of its use. A new report by the Chief Scientist of New South Wales (NSW) reveals the presence of toxic chemicals, including heavy metals and volatile organic compounds, in the rubber infill of synthetic turf. However, it is still important to find out if there is a risk of migration or if it is just a presence.

The 28th Annual ETRA Conference on Tyre Recycling will take place Wednesday through Friday, 29 - 31 March 2023 at Le Louise Hotel in Brussels. Influential and informative as always it is the unrivalled ‘one-stop’ shop for all those seeking the latest insights into the worldwide business of tyre recycling. With its focus on providing insights into every aspect of the ever more important subject of used tyre management no other single event comes close to delivering essential insights into our future as an industry with its many conference sessions, exhibitions networking and social opportunities.

In its latest press release, EuRIC reported that Europe’s recycling industries expressed dismay at the European Parliament’s adoption of current waste shipment proposals citing major inconsistencies undermining the trade of recycled materials. While the establishment of mandatory recycled content targets for plastics should be applauded, the failure to consider targets for metals and paper is a significant omission that will erode demand and subsequently green investment in new and upscaled recycling facilities in Europe. However, European recyclers were encouraged by the European Parliament’s support of existing proposals that facilitate the export of recycled materials within the EU, such as establishing English as the common language or extended time limits for receiving shipments.

According to the latest press release by Tyre Stewardship Australia (TSA), each year the equivalent of over 58 million passenger tires reach their end-of-life in Australia. TSA says that throughout the life cycle of these tires, it is important to consider the environmental and health impacts, including tire and road wear particles that may be generated while driving tires on the roads, and from tire-derived materials when tires are recovered at the end of their life.