News: Tire Recycling & Pyrolysis

EC is carrying out unannounced inspections at the premises of companies active in the synthetic turf industry in several Member States. The Commission has concerns that the inspected companies may have violated EU antitrust rules that prohibit cartels and restrictive business practices. The Commission officials were accompanied by their counterparts from the national competition authorities of the Member States where the inspections were carried out.

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.

India has taken a significant step towards implementing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for waste tires with the introduction of draft regulations under the Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016. The guidelines aim to streamline operations for producers and recyclers in compliance with the new EPR regime. The Tire & Rubber Recycling Association of India (TRRAI) recently organized a conference to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the tire and rubber recycling industry in light of these developments.

Valebridge Media Services (VMS), the international media services company in Crewe (United Kingdom) and Madrid (Spain), has announced the shortlist of nominees for the 2023 edition of the Recircle Awards, the event organised to promote and recognise sustainable innovation, production processes, management and services in the tire retreading and recycling sector. The shortlist, chosen from a preliminary list of candidates nominated by the public has once again been compiled by the Recircle Awards Nominations Committee made up of 14 experts, including respected tire industry journalists, industry association heads and independent consultants from around the world.

Pyrum Innovations AG (Pyrum) has started commissioning the thermolysis recycling plants 2&3 in Dillingen. The recent commencement of the compressed air supply marks the beginning of the gradual commissioning phase. Over the next few weeks, the remaining components of the entire system will be gradually put into operation. Following a successful cold start-up, the reactors will undergo a test run to produce products.

Episode 52 of the Tyre Recycling Podcast features Susanne Madelung, an expert from PVP Triptis, to dive into an important topic: the necessity of migration risk assessment in replacing precautionary risk assessment. Speakers explore this subject area along with the appropriate test methods, lobbying and the forthcoming impact on the crumb rubber infill ban.

Pyrum Innovations AG (Pyrum), a company that recycles scrap tires sustainably with its globally patented, unique pyrolysis technology, and SUEZ recycling and recovery UK Ltd (SUEZ) have entered into a one-year exclusivity agreement to build Pyrum's first pyrolysis plant in the UK. Under the terms of the agreement, the utility, which is active in water and waste management, will determine the site for the first plant over the next 12 months and, with support from Pyrum, will begin the permitting process. SUEZ bears the costs for the approval process. The planned plant is to be equipped with three pyrolysis reactors and thus have a recycling capacity of around 20,000 tons of end-of-life tires per year. After successful approval, the first plant is to be built.

Scandinavian Enviro Systems AB (Enviro) is once again nominated at the Recircle Awards, this year in the Tyre Pyrolysis Award category. In addition, CEO Thomas Sörensson is nominated for the Best Company Director award. Enviro has previously won the Tyre Pyrolysis Award twice and Best Tyre Recycler last year. "Enviro is making international progress and our technology is constantly being recognized, it is a great honor to be nominated together with other important sustainability players. Awards like this further highlight the importance of circular solutions for tire recycling," says Thomas Sörensson, CEO of Enviro.

Continental has introduced its most sustainable tire yet, the UltraContact NXT, which combines a high proportion of renewable, recycled, and certified materials with excellent safety and performance. According to Continental, it is the first tire on the market to achieve both a high share of sustainable materials and the highest EU tire-label performance. All 19 available sizes of the UltraContact NXT have received the highest rating ("A") in rolling resistance, wet braking, and exterior noise on the EU tire label. The UltraContact NXT contains up to 65% renewable, recycled, and mass balance certified materials, depending on the tire size. Renewable materials make up to 32% of the tire, including resins derived from residual materials from the paper and wood industries, as well as silica extracted from rice husks.