For its 24th Network Meeting held on 27 and 28 October, Valorpneu brought together partners from its collection and recovery network, participating tyre producers, public authorities and industry experts in Ílhavo, Portugal.
Held under the theme “Innovating to Make the Future Circular”, the Valorpneu event focused on the challenges and opportunities surrounding the management of used tyres in Portugal. The meeting provided an opportunity to review the organisation’s activities in 2026, discuss strategic priorities for the coming years and examine developments in the sector, including circular economy initiatives, technological innovation and changes to the legal and regulatory framework.
During the opening session, Climénia Silva, Director General at Valorpneu, presented the organisation’s main operational figures, estimating that it will collect and recover around 95,000 tonnes of used tyres by the end of 2026, representing a significant increase compared with the previous year.
The rise in demand has placed additional pressure on the collection and recovery network, requiring operational measures to strengthen the system’s capacity. Despite these challenges, Valorpneu aims to maintain high collection rates and ensure that end-of-life tyres are properly managed.
Efforts to increase national recycling capacity were also discussed. By 2027, Portuguese operators are expected to achieve a combined capacity of close to 80,000 tonnes per year, which would strengthen the country’s autonomy in treating this waste.
Digitalisation was another key topic. The Valorpneu meeting highlighted progress in the organisation’s relations with participating producers, including the introduction of fully digital registration procedures and simplified administrative requirements for certifying annual declarations.
The collection network has also benefited from these developments, with new digital procedures designed to simplify interactions between tyre retailers and Valorpneu.
Environmental awareness remains central to Valorpneu’s strategy. Several initiatives carried out during the year were presented, focusing on promoting the circular economy and demonstrating the potential of materials recovered from tyre recycling. These included public awareness campaigns, educational programmes for children and young people, and projects showcasing new applications for recycled rubber in areas ranging from urban design to industry.
The programme also featured contributions from the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) and the Directorate-General for Economic Affairs (DGE), which outlined regulatory developments affecting operators and compliance schemes.
The APA highlighted recent amendments to the General Waste Management Regime, which clarify the regulatory framework for collection centres and address questions concerning the operation of the network. It also stressed the importance of continued coordination with legislation governing specific waste streams.
The DGE addressed circular economy issues and the European regulatory framework for tyres. One topic was the intention to once again advocate for a full exemption from the Ecovalor fee for retreaded tyres in a future legislative revision, because retreading extends product service life.
The organisation also discussed developments relating to the European Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation and the forthcoming Digital Product Passport, which could change how tyres are designed, monitored and managed throughout their life cycle.
As in previous years, the meeting also recognised the contributions of Valorpneu’s network partners. The Network Collection Centre Performance Award went to Ribeiro & Filhos. The Merit and Distinction Awards were also presented for the first time, recognising LNB Recicla and Palmiresíduos for their contributions and performance within the network.
The 24th Network Meeting highlighted the role of Valorpneu’s collection and recovery network in supporting circular economy initiatives, innovation and the sustainable recovery of used tyres in Portugal.
