On World Recycling Day, Spain’s Tratamiento Neumáticos Usados (TNU) warned that despite 100% of collected end-of-life tires being recycled, the country still lacks a complete circular economy for tires. While Spain excels in collection and treatment, the weak market demand for recycled products and limited green public procurement policies are stalling progress.

One major concern is the looming EU ban on rubber granulate in artificial turf by 2031. This change jeopardizes the destination of roughly 60,000 tonnes of recycled rubber annually. Pyrolysis — the thermal decomposition of rubber into reusable materials like carbon black and oil — is emerging as a promising alternative, though current infrastructure is minimal and requires significant public investment.

TNU is also concerned that the lack of demand for recycled raw materials such as carbon black, rubber, and textile fibers. Retreading, a sustainable practice that reduces tire emissions by up to 69%, has seen a 50% decline in production since 2004, largely due to the influx of low-cost imports and limited market incentives.

Despite Spain’s favorable legal framework, issues like the absence of mandatory green clauses in public contracts and lack of consumer awareness hinder the sector’s development. TNU urges stronger public sector leadership, investments in recycling infrastructure, and consumer education to foster sustainable tire reuse.

To learn more, read the full article published by TNU here.