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Rec Kos Receives €6 Million to Expand Its Capacities

Naida Jahić
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Rec Kos Receives €6 Million to Expand Its Capacities

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), alongside the Enterprise Expansion Fund II (ENEF II), is providing €6 million loan to Rec Kos, a recycling company located in Kosovo

The project will be co-founded on a pari passu basis between the EBRD and the ENEF II, each providing up to €3 million, aiming to help Rec Kos with its expansion plans, including the construction of a new processing facility and related equipment purchases. This includes the construction of a new processing facility near Drenas Industrial Park near Pristina, a wastewater treatment plant and the acquisition of advanced recycling equipment to process tyres, aluminium, cables, batteries, and more. “The project aims to enhance operational efficiency and environmental sustainability in Kosovo’s recycling sector,” the bank said.

Alongside the EBRD and ENEF II, which provide €3 million each, €1 million of the EBRD’s funding is provided by the government of Taiwan.

Adriatik Shaqiri, owner of Rec Kos, says: “The new facility and advanced equipment will significantly improve our processing capacity and environmental performance. We are proud to contribute to the country’s transition towards a circular economy, while strengthening Kosovo’s position in regional and European recycling markets.”

Sergiy Maslichenko, EBRD head of Kosovo, says: “This investment demonstrates our commitment to strengthening local small and medium-sized enterprises and promoting sustainable industrial development through green finance.”

Established in 2008 and based in Kosovo, Rec Kos operates in the “collection, processing, sorting, and conditioning/grinding/compacting, and trading of ferrous and non-ferrous metals, electronics, waste plastics and waste oils,” according to EBRD. The company is also the second-largest exporter in Kosovo.

TRA Statement on EA’s Review of Waste Tyre Exports

Ewan Scott
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TRA Statement on EA’s Review of Waste Tyre Exports

The Tyre Recovery Association (TRA) has issued a statement on the Environment Agency’s report following its review of waste tyre exports from the UK

British industry recognises the report as a significant milestone on the road to reform but highlight further steps are needed to create a circular economy and secure UK capacity.

Following the release of the 170 page internal review into the Environment Agency’s regulation of waste pneumatic tyres and their export, focussing on the export of this waste to India, Peter Taylor OBE, Secretary General of the Tyre Recovery Association, said; “The TRA welcomes this report, it is a clear and helpful analysis of UK waste tyre exports. It sets out the shortcomings of the current regulatory framework and the EA’s ability to meaningfully enforce these regulations. This is a true step forward after several years of inaction. It includes welcome initiatives on tracing and tracking UK export of waste tyres, the TRA will work with DEFRA and EA to deliver on these.

“It is important, however, that the policy creators and enforcers [DEFRA and the EA] recognise this is just a staging post on the road to the full reforms needed. We will continue to work with the Government to achieve a zero-waste circular economy and sustain the UK’s capability to process end of life tyres.”

The TRA will shortly issue ‘The Road to Reform’, a recommendation paper setting out the clear programme of actions necessary to deliver the steps the Environment Agency recognise in their internal review into the regulation of waste pneumatic tyres and their export, this will include:-

o Strengthening Annex VII process for truly ‘Enhance Verification’

o Steps to increase the responsibility on TFS shipping lines who carry waste exports

o The introduction of geo-tagging and EA active management of the paperwork process

o The need for the EA to manage waste exports from UK and not rely on third country partners to do their job form them

• The TRA continues to call on the Government to update two pieces of regulation:

• Ending T8 exemptions (announced some years ago, but no action has followed.

(Scottish authorities ended T8 exemption in 2018)

• Ending exports of whole end-of-life car tyres (ELTs) (as Australia has demonstrated, a simple and effective means of addressing environmental concerns and ensuring domestic capability)”

A Focus on the Impact of Tariffs from Gradeall

Ewan Scott
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A Focus on the Impact of Tariffs from Gradeall

Gradeall speaks of the impact of tariffs on its trade with the USA and the threat to employment in the UK

“When tariff uncertainty makes customers hesitant to invest, it affects not just our business, but the broader goal of improving waste management infrastructure across America,” states Conor Murphy, director at Gradeall International Ltd

Northern Ireland based Gradeall is a globally recognised leader in tyre processing equipment, its baling presses are renowned as the best in the market.

Over the past six years, Gradeall has established strong US relationships and a significant customer base, making this market essential to its revenue. However, unpredictable US trade policies now threaten the stability and growth of exporters like Gradeall and the broader manufacturing sector. The main problem is not just tariff rates, but the damaging uncertainty surrounding them.

Tyre and Rubber Recycling‘s sister publication, Commercial Tyre Business has written about the impact of tariffs and reflected oon the impact on US-China trade, however, the effect of higher prices in the USA has hit closer to home, as Gradeall’s Conor Murphy explains.

Gradeall MK III

The vacillation of the US government’s approach to tariffs has left both exporters and importers in a state of flux, I the case of Gradeall, the company has seen US customers delaying of postponing purchases in the hope of changes on tariffs in the future.

Uncertainty is a direct impact on trade and investment. No-one wants to invest in a market that faces negative actions.
According to a recent survey, 61% of manufacturing businesses expect turnover to decrease as a result of ongoing US tariffs, with 55% anticipating lower profits by the end of the year

Gradeall Sidewall Cutter
OTR Tyre Splitter


A particularly frustrating issue for Gradeall and its customers has been the inconsistent application of tariffs at different US ports. There have been documented cases where identical shipments of Gradeall machinery have attracted vastly different tariff rates – ranging from 10% to as high as 46% – depending on the port of entry, such as Savannah, Georgia versus Norfolk, Virginia. These discrepancies often arise from administrative errors or misinterpretation of customs documentation, but the end result is the same: confusion, extra costs, and a loss of confidence in the purchasing process.

This lack of clarity extends to the customs process itself. US customers are often left unsure of the exact amount they will be required to pay until their goods arrive at port, making it difficult to budget and plan for new equipment purchases. The administrative burden on both customers and suppliers is significant, with additional paperwork and communication required to resolve tariff disputes and navigate the customs maze.

Beyond the tariffs themselves, delays in customs processing can lead to substantial demurrage fees – charges incurred when containers are held at port beyond the agreed free period. Companies have experienced situations where customers faced significant demurrage costs simply because US customs were unable to process tariff payments quickly enough to release containers. In one instance, the company could not even pay the tariff because the designated bank account was not yet operational, compounding the delay and cost.

Demurrage and detention charges at US ports are among the highest in the world. Reports show that average demurrage fees can range from $50 to $250 per container per day, depending on the port and container size. These costs quickly add up, placing additional financial strain on customers and making Gradeall’s products less competitive in the US market.

The cumulative effect of these issues is a deterioration in the customer experience. For US buyers, the process of importing machinery from Northern Ireland has become fraught with uncertainty, extra costs, and administrative headaches.
For Gradeall, this means not only a direct impact on sales and turnover, but also a significant diversion of resources towards helping customers navigate the new trade environment. Smaller manufacturers, in particular, struggle to absorb these additional costs and administrative burdens, putting them at a competitive disadvantage compared to larger firms.

The challenges faced by b are emblematic of the wider difficulties confronting manufacturing exporters across the UK and Northern Ireland. Recent analysis by the Department for the Economy suggests that a 10% US tariff on UK goods could cost the Northern Ireland economy £85 million and lead to the loss of 800 jobs over the next 15 years. The machinery sector, in which Gradeall operates, is identified as particularly vulnerable to these trade barriers.

Moreover, the uncertainty created by the tariff regime is prompting many businesses to review their profit margins, scale back production, and reconsider investment plans. Nearly half (49%) of surveyed manufacturing firms are exploring entry into new markets or regions to reduce their dependence on US-linked trade. This shift not only threatens the growth prospects of individual companies, but also has potential knock-on effects for regional employment and economic output.

Despite these formidable challenges, Gradeall International Ltd continues to lead by example. With a reputation for innovation, durability, and customer service, Gradeall’s range of waste compaction and recycling equipment remains in high demand around the world. The company’s commitment to supporting its US customers – helping them navigate complex customs procedures, providing transparent pricing, and offering remote monitoring solutions – sets it apart as a market and industry leader.

Gradeall’s experience highlights the resilience and adaptability of Northern Ireland’s manufacturing sector. By maintaining close relationships with customers, investing in product development, and advocating for fairer trade practices, Gradeall is not only weathering the current storm but laying the groundwork for future growth.

The ongoing uncertainty and complexity of US tariffs are inflicting real and measurable harm on manufacturing businesses in Northern Ireland and beyond. From inconsistent tariff rates and mounting demurrage fees to delayed purchasing decisions and lost sales, the costs are both immediate and long-term. For Gradeall International Ltd, these challenges underscore the importance of clear, stable trade policies and the vital role of exporters in sustaining economic growth.

As policymakers on both sides of the Atlantic work towards a more predictable and equitable trading environment, Gradeall stands ready to continue serving its customers with the same commitment to quality and innovation that has made it a global leader in recycling machinery.

Despite facing significant trade barriers, Gradeall International Ltd continues to manufacture world-class recycling and waste management equipment that serves customers across five continents. The company’s comprehensive product portfolio demonstrates the innovation and engineering excellence that Northern Ireland brings to global markets.

Gradeall’s flagship products include the MK2 and MK3 Tyre Balers, which can process up to 6 PAS108-compliant bales per hour, reducing tyre volume by 80%. These machines have become essential equipment for recycling facilities across America, where approximately 280 million tyres reach end-of-life status annually.

The company’s Truck Tyre Sidewall Cutter represents cutting-edge technology for processing large commercial tyres, whilst the OTR (Off-The-Road) Tyre Splitter tackles the massive tyres used in mining and construction industries. These specialised machines address critical waste management challenges in sectors vital to the US economy.
“Our OTR equipment processes tyres that can weigh up to 600kg each,” explains Conor Murphy. “When mining companies in states like Nevada and Wyoming face delays and uncertainty over tariffs, it affects their ability to manage waste responsibly and plan for equipment replacement.”


Environment Agency Review of Waste Tyres – in Brief

Ewan Scott
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Environment Agency Review of Waste Tyres – in Brief

The Environment Agency has produced the findings of its review of the waste tyre export industry and there are changes coming as a result

There are arguments for and against exporting waste tyres for disposal/ recycling in third party destinations. Essentially, if recycling of a waste can take place in a third party country with a lower carbon footprint, and to at least UK/ European environmental standards, and at an economic advantage, then any argument against exports becomes null and void. However, we are a long way from that point.

However, in waste matters there is always a race to the bottom and this can result in waste being exported without consideration of the carbon footprint, and with no surety of the final destination of that waste – this is an issue that Tyre and Rubber Recycling and the Tyre recovery association have been highlighting for over a decade. It was only when the BBC File On Four Investigates Tyre Scandal documentary hot that DeFRA and the Environment Agency sat up and took action.

After a rather brief consultation period, the Environment Agency has published its Waste Tyres Internal Review (Redacted). It runs to 170 pages but here we focus on the proposed actions.

Action 1 – The Environment Agency  will implement enhanced verification checks for waste pneumatic tyres going to India. The review has identified that the Environment Agency should take further steps to ensure we are fulfilling our legal obligations under the UK WSR when exporting waste pneumatic tyres to India and deliver against our objectives under the UK Waste Shipments Inspection Plan.

The Environment Agency now believes that it is highly likely that a proportion of UK waste pneumatic tyres are being diverted for illegal pyrolysis on arrival into India. We have a much clearer understanding of the information that we hold to make the assessment of whether waste pneumatic tyres exported from England are being handled in an environmentally sound manner. Having fully considered this information against our legal duties, we accept there is a lack of sufficiently credible information which would entitle us to assume, for the purposes of Article 49(2) UK WSR, that waste pneumatic tyres exported to India are reaching the destination recovery facility named on the movement form (Annex VII), or are being treated for recovery in an environmentally sound manner. We have an obligation to prohibit exports of waste under Article 49(2) of the UK WSR if we have reason to believe that the waste will not be managed in an environmentally sound manner.

The Environment Agency admits that it has not been able to verify the destination of waste tyres because, in part, they do not regularly receive Annex VII paperwork.

Furthermore, the Environment Agency agrees that the Annex VII forms that accompanied the bales of waste pneumatic tyres tracked by industry, the forms appear to have been falsified to suggest the waste was received at the intended destination, when the tracker data showed that this was not the case.

The Environment Agency will bring into force improved verification checks as from the 1st October 2025. The rules will be implemented using powers under Articles 49 and 50 of the UK WSR and The Transfrontier Shipment of Waste Regulations 2007.

Under this approach, all exporters of waste pneumatic tyres to India will be required to provide information to the EA that gives confidence that waste is being recovered in an environmentally sound manner.

There is a longer-term plan to obtain information through regulatory reform and the introduction of the Digital Waste Tracking System (DWTS). However, in the interim, the Environment Agency will serve Information Notices on brokering organisations, and exporters directly involved in moving waste pneumatic tyres, to obtain this information.

Action 2 – The Environment Agency  will provide additional training to its staff about the requirements of the UK WSR and how they apply to waste pneumatic tyres

In the coming months, targeted training and resources will be provided to build capability and support confident implementation.

The training will cover the detail of the UK WSR and TFS regulations and it will also cover the  limitations of officers’ powers.

However, there is a clear recognition that the export of end of life tyres to India for pyrolysis is prohibited – as Tyre and Rubber Recycling has reported many times.  The wording from the Environment Agency states: The prohibition India implemented in July 2022 on importing waste pneumatic tyres for pyrolysis, renderis these exports as prohibited under Article 36(1)(f) of the UK WSR.

There will also be a strengthening the recording of information about exports of waste pneumatic tyres across the Environment Agency, including information on exports obtained during both routine and incident inspections at T8 sites.

Action 3 – The Environment Agency  will improve how it carries out horizon scanning activities for changes in waste controls and improve its knowledge of the research available on waste pneumatic tyres

During the review, stakeholders stated that they believed that waste pneumatic tyres should be reclassified to require a notification to move internationally. Some stakeholders believe they should be hazardous waste, which would require a notification to be in place prior to any movement. It is also the case that where wastes are classified as hazardous, they are prohibited from being exported for disposal (subject to the exceptions within the UK plan for shipments of waste) to other OECD countries. Hazardous waste cannot be exported for recycling, recovery, or final disposal to non-OECD countries.

This means that the export of waste pneumatic tyres to India would be prohibited if waste pneumatic tyres were classified as hazardous.

 The Environment Agency has identified that it is possible to implement notification controls on waste pneumatic tyres by:

● Requiring a notification, where prior informed consent between all the competent authorities of dispatch, destination and any transit countries is needed prior to the movement.

● Reclassifying waste pneumatic tyres as hazardous, which would automatically apply the need for a notification to be in force prior to any movement.

Of course, the Environment Agency also states that any reclassification would need careful impact assessment to avoid adverse and unintended consequences of such a decision. For example, an assessment of UK recovery capacity and appropriate transitional arrangements would be required.

For those who followed “Yes, Minister” there follows an example straight out of Sir Humphrey’s playbook regarding the Indian ban on the import of waste tyres for pyrolysis. The statement was there, from the launch of the Indian EPR regulations that the import of waste tyres for pyrolysis was banned – “The Environment Agency took the correct action when we were made aware of the amended controls prohibiting the export of waste pneumatic tyres for pyrolysis to India, in that we understood the movement of waste pneumatic tyres to India for pyrolysis would be prohibited under Article 36 (1)(f). The amendment came into effect in July 2022. However, there was a gap of 6 months before we were made aware, which may have allowed some waste pneumatic tyres to be exported to India for pyrolysis during this period. It then took time to confirm the position through correspondence with the British High Commission on 2 May 2024, and directly during a virtual meeting with the Indian Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) on 19 June 2024 (Appendix 4.6).”  So, actually reading the Indian EPR regulations took almost two years … go figure.

There is more to come on waste controls and there will be a new Strategic Intelligence Unit sitting within the National Environmental Crime Unit.

More details on how waste management will be monitored and controlled will be announced no later than December 2025, according to the Review.

Action 4 will see improved partnerships with stakeholders to ensure a better understanding of the challenges in future.

There will be a meeting with the Indian Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Climate Change in the Autumn of 2025 to build a positive working relationship to give all parties better confidence in the treatment of waste tyres.

T8 Removal

The review gives feedback from its drop-in session and other data fed to the Agency. There is a clear understanding across the industry that many of the problems arise through the abuse of the T8 Exemption

In July 2025, the Government committed to removing the T8 exemption due to widespread non-compliance, with businesses handling tyres in volumes far beyond permitted limits. Requiring operators to hold environmental permits will strengthen regulatory control by introducing operator competence standards, management systems, fire prevention plans, and mandatory waste reporting. This will enhance Environment Agency oversight of waste tyre movements, including exports. The Agency supports the removal of the T8 exemption and has helped businesses to prepare by publishing standard rules permits for tyre storage and treatment. These offer a quicker, more cost-effective transition for current T8 operators compared to bespoke permits.

You can read the review in full – here

Argentina’s Mendoza Excludes Large Mining Tyres from Controls

Ewan Scott
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Argentina’s Mendoza Excludes Large Mining Tyres from Controls

Since 2019, Mendoza has implemented Provincial Law 9143, which regulates the management of used tyres (ELT) and seeks to reduce their environmental impact

At the end of July, the Deliberative Council of Las Heras officially ratifying the local commitment to strengthen a more sustainable waste management.

The regulation bans the abandonment, burning, or open-air accumulation of tyres, except for those used in mega-mining machinery, which are exempt.

According to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change of Mendoza, the exclusion of ELT from the mining sector results from the presence of internationally recognised management protocols, such as the NI43-101 standard, which incorporates specific treatment plans for this category of waste.

Although Mendoza does not currently have operational mega-mining projects, the provincial government is supporting their potential reactivation, and this exclusion indicates a regulatory gap if such ventures become active. Mining companies are required to include a tyre management plan in their Environmental Impact Declaration (DIA); if it is missing, the government requests its addition as a condition for approval.

Off-road truck tyres used in mega-mining can exceed 1,000 kilograms in weight, and their lifespan is limited to about a year. Improper disposal represents a serious environmental risk.

Provinces such as San Juan and Catamarca have begun setting up recycling plants for tires as part of their circular economy strategies. Regionally, Chile is developing an Extended Producer Responsibility Law (EPR) that covers this type of industrial waste.

The PSJ Cobre Mendocino Project (San Jorge) could begin operations by 2027, pending legislative approval and compliance with environmental requirements. However, Law 9143 does not specify management criteria for ELT from mega-mining machinery, leaving this issue unresolved.

From the environment sector, they acknowledge that “there are still no mining projects in operation, so the implementation is pending.” Meanwhile, conventional tyres are the only ones regulated by the current law, and those from the mining sector would be covered by general international regulations.

Environment Agency Admits Issues with Waste Tyre Exports

Ewan Scott
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Environment Agency Admits Issues with Waste Tyre Exports

After years of industry lobbying on waste exports, it took the BBC File on 4  Tyre Scandal article to light a fire under the Environment Agency

In a 170 page review of the state of the waste tyre export situation, the Environment Agency has admitted that there are shortcomings in the system.

With some 86.9 per cent of the UK’s waste tyre exports going to India, the EA has focused on the challenges in that particular trade. Exports to India appear to have peaked in 2024 at 386,100 tonnes, figures for 2025 to date at the time of the review stood at 128,880 tonnes

In brief, the Annex VII will become a mandatory requirement BEFORE any exports take place – this is already in force in Scotland by SEPA, although as there is a transparent border between Scotland and England, Scottish arisings often just get shipped out through a middleman and an English port.

The requirement for the Annex VII will bring an end to that practice, at least. Also coming is the end of the T8, which is now recognised as playing a huge part in the questionable export trade.

The export figures interestingly show some surprising destinations, some in Europe, but also Pakistan.

Tyre and Rubber Recycling will have a more in-depth article on this shortly.

TRAC Announces the Programme for the 2025 Rubber Recycling Symposium

Ewan Scott
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TRAC Announces the Programme for the 2025 Rubber Recycling Symposium

The Tire and Rubber Association of Canada (TRAC) is proud to announce the program for the highly anticipated 2025 Rubber Recycling Symposium that will take place October 8–9 in Calgary, Alberta

Recognised as a cornerstone event for professionals across the tyre and rubber recycling sector, the Symposium brings together industry leaders, innovators, and policymakers to advance sustainable solutions and foster collaboration.

This year’s Symposium promises to be an essential event for professionals across the tire and rubber recycling sectors, including companies involved in tire manufacturing, rubber recycling, manufacturing of products from recycled rubber, end-of-life tyre stewardship organisations, governments, and equipment manufacturers to participate in what had become one of the largest events of its kind. The event offers an exceptional lineup of sessions and unparalleled networking opportunities. Attendees can explore full event details, including registration options, hotel accommodations, and sponsorship or exhibitor opportunities on the event’s main page.

The Event Program

The 2025 Rubber Recycling Symposium will tackle critical topics shaping the industry’s present and future. The sessions include:

  • Global Perspectives on Tyre Recycling: Europe, Canada, and the U.S.
  • Spotlight on Tire Chemistry: Innovations in 6PPD Alternatives & Beyond
  • Navigating Canada’s Plastics Registry: What Tyre Sector Stakeholders Need to Know
  • Advancing Rubber Modified Asphalt and Tyre Derived Aggregate Research and Implementation
  • The Global Threat to Tyre Retreading
  • Sustainability in Tyre Manufacturing
  • What’s New in Non-Mechanical Tyre Recycling Technologies
  • CEO Panel, and more.

Why You Should Attend

This premier event attracts an international audience of industry leaders, creating a dynamic forum for collaboration, learning, and networking. Whether you’re involved in tire manufacturing, recycling, stewardship programs, or government policy, the Symposium offers unique opportunities to:

  • Connect with global industry players and decision-makers.
  • Gain actionable insights from expert-led panels and discussions.
  • Discover innovative solutions to today’s most pressing challenges.
  • Strengthen your organisation’s position in a sustainable future.

Full details about individual registrations, hotel booking, as well as sponsor and exhibitor opportunities can be found through the main event page.

Direct Event Links:

Secure Your Place Today!

Interest for the 2025 Symposium is at an all-time high, and space is limited. Register now to guarantee your spot and benefit from early bird rates. Sponsorship and exhibitor packages are also available for organizations wishing to increase their visibility within the rubber recycling community.

Should you have questions regarding the event, please contact Michal Majernik, mmajernik@tracanada.ca.

Arrigoni Ambiental NFU: Chilean Innovation

Daniel Rojas
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Arrigoni Ambiental NFU: Chilean Innovation

Arrigoni Ambiental plays a role in the dynamic landscape of end-of-life tyre (ELT) recovery in Latin America

One of the most emblematic cases is Arrigoni Ambiental NFU SpA, a company founded in September 2019 as an alliance between the third generation of the Arrigoni business group and a pioneering team in pyrolysis technologies in the country.

This feature is based on an interview with Mauricio Bravo Carvallo, General Manager of Arrigoni Ambiental NFU, who shared in detail the company’s vision, progress, and projections as it seeks to position itself as a regional benchmark for circular economy solutions.

Driven by the entry into force of Chile’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Law, Arrigoni Ambiental NFU’s purpose has been clear from the start: to provide a concrete, scalable, and triple-impact solution for the treatment of ELTs.

Technology at the Service of Transformation

From its operational plant in San Francisco de Mostazal, located in the O’Higgins Region about 65 kilometres south of Santiago, Arrigoni Ambiental NFU has deployed a processing capacity of nearly 10,000 tonnes of tyres per year, representing approximately 7% of the country’s total generation. Its operation is based on three semi-continuous pyrolysis reactors, which convert a complex waste stream into industrially usable by-products: tyre pyrolysis oil (TPO), recovered carbon black (rCB), and recycled steel.

But beyond its infrastructure, what sets this company apart is its vision: to develop technological capabilities and strategic alliances that enable these by-products to replace virgin materials in key sectors such as mining, the chemical industry, construction, and energy.

Applied Innovation and Territorial Development

One of the company’s most significant breakthroughs has been the production of activated carbon from rCB, used in filters to remove heavy metals from contaminated water. More recently, the company developed a chemical additive derived from TPO, designed for molybdenum flotation processes in mining—currently undergoing industrial validation with a major Chilean mining company.

ANIR visit to Chilean Arrigoni plant
ANIR visit to Chilean Arrigoni plant

These efforts are complemented by a strong territorial engagement strategy: local job creation, partnerships with technical high schools and regional universities, and participation in environmental decontamination plans. Arrigoni Ambiental NFU is not only treating waste—it is helping to build local human capital and productive ecosystems, anchoring the circular economy in the territory.

Systemic Coordination and Regional Outlook

The company is an active member of ANIR (where it chairs the tyre sector committee) and APRIMIN, and it maintains applied research agreements with the University of Concepción, the University of Talca, and the Catholic University of Maule. It also participates in NFU-Evolución, a technological program promoted by CORFO, reinforcing its role as a bridge between industry, science, and public policy.

Within this framework, Arrigoni Ambiental NFU has offered a constructive critique of the EPR Law’s implementation: while the regulatory framework has been essential for activating new business models, further progress is needed in areas such as certifications, recycled content requirements, and incentives for the use of recovered products. As the company puts it, “Circular economy is not achieved merely by treating waste—it becomes real when recovered by-products find markets that match them in scale and demand.”

Growth Plans and Expansion

Looking ahead to 2026, Arrigoni Ambiental NFU plans to triple its installed capacity. This growth strategy includes expanding its current plant and building a second facility in northern Chile — a critical area due to its high volume of ELT generation and its strong connection to the mining industry.

Both projects have already been approved at the investment level and are currently moving forward with environmental and sectoral permitting processes. The goal is clear: to respond efficiently and effectively to the growing demands of the EPR Law, delivering solutions that are both industrially viable and environmentally responsible.

A Replicable Model for Latin America

Arrigoni Ambiental NFU aspires to be recognised internationally as a serious, innovative, and consistent actor. A model that proves it is possible to align circularity, innovation, and territorial development in a single strategy. Its experience offers a roadmap for other countries in the region seeking to accelerate their transitions toward more sustainable production systems.

In a continent where the waste challenge remains urgent, experiences like this help move from diagnosis to action—with technology, alliances, and a long-term vision.

Argentina and Rubber: 50 Years of Industrial Institution

Daniel Rojas
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Argentina and Rubber: 50 Years of Industrial Institution

Argentina offers a consolidated experience in the field of tyre management in Latin America, where collaboration between industry and the state often suffers from institutional fragility or discontinuity

It is a story of technical cooperation, pioneering regulation, and a sectoral commitment to sustainability. In 2025, the Argentine Tyre Industry Chamber (Cámara de la Industria del Neumático, CIN) marks 50 years since its founding — a milestone that reflects its evolution from a traditional trade body into a key player in both industrial and environmental policy.

Since its creation in 1975, CIN has represented the main tyre manufacturers with local production facilities, promoting quality standards aligned with international regulations such as the ECE (UNECE) norms and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) standards. Over the decades, CIN has built a technical dialogue platform with public institutions, establishing a long-term strategic vision for the sector that transcends corporate interest defence.

Argentina CIN

Circular Economy: A Pioneering Partnership

One of the most significant milestones was the establishment of the Permanent Commission on Tyre Recycling, formalised in 2003 through INTI Resolution No. 331. This commission brings together national and Mercosur manufacturers — including Bridgestone, Fate, Pirelli, Michelin, Goodyear, Continental, Titan, and Prometeon — with the INTI Rubber Research and Development Centre. It has become a leading technical forum for sustainable end-of-life tyre (ELT) management.

Among the most tangible results of this collaboration is the creation of Regomax S.A., launched in 2010 at the North III Environmental Complex operated by CEAMSE (the State-run Ecological Coordination for Greater Buenos Aires). Regomax has become a regional benchmark for ELT material recovery, proving that large-scale solutions can be achieved through public-private cooperation, based on local technology and a circular approach.

This trajectory led to Argentina’s first national legal framework for sustainable tyre management — Resolution No. 523, issued in 2013 by the Secretariat of Environment and Sustainable Development. A decade later, in 2023, INTI Resolution No. 472 further strengthened this path by institutionalizing the Commission as a permanent advisory body to national ministries, formally recognising its role in shaping circular economy and complex waste policies.

Tyre Retreading: A Strategic Link in the Chain

While recycling has received the most public attention, it is essential to highlight the work led by INTI together with ARAN — the Argentine Tyre Retreading Association — in promoting retreading (commonly referred to as reconstrucción in the Argentine context). This process extends tyre lifespan, reduces operational costs, and prevents thousands of tonnes of waste each year, particularly in heavy transport and mining sectors.

A key milestone is the projection for 2025: ARAN and INTI expect to reach 25 nationally certified retreading plants. This effort strengthens sector-wide quality and traceability standards, positioning retreading as a strategic solution to logistics, environmental, and market challenges. More than a technical achievement, it represents a qualitative leap in the institutional consolidation of retreading as a legitimate industrial activity with a low environmental footprint.

Moreover, retreading holds a privileged place in the waste hierarchy established by both European legislation and Chile’s EPR Law, which prioritize reuse over recycling or energy recovery. Fully integrating retreading into Argentina’s industrial and environmental policy would require:

  • Sustainable public procurement programs prioritizing retreaded tyres.
  • Fiscal incentives and green financing lines for retreading companies.
  • National technical certification and traceability systems.
  • Explicit recognition of its role in Argentina’s carbon neutrality goals.

A Model with Regional Potential

Argentina’s experience — built on solid technical institutions and a culture of multi-sector dialogue — offers valuable lessons for other Latin American countries that have yet to consolidate ELT management systems. CIN and INTI have sustained, with ups and downs but without structural interruption, a model that aligns industrial policy, technological development, and environmental regulation.

Moving forward, it is essential to further integrate the retreading sector into national circular economy strategies — not as a marginal solution, but as a central tool for sustainable production, energy efficiency, and local job creation.

Celebrating 50 years of history is about looking back. It is about reinforcing the platform from which to build a future where rubber is no longer treated as waste — but becomes, with each extended cycle, a symbol of a more circular, competitive, and territorially rooted industry.

SIGNUS Processed the Equivalent Of 27 Million Car Tyres In 2024

Ewan Scott
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SIGNUS Processed the Equivalent Of 27 Million Car Tyres In 2024

SIGNUS managed the equivalent of 27,337,351 tyres, which could be used to build around 1,139 circuits the size of the Jerez Circuit

During 2024, SIGNUS managed 222,406 tons of end-of-life tires. Taking into account the average weight of a passenger car tyre of 8.1 kg, this would be equivalent to 27,337,351 tires, which could be used to build around 1,139 circuits the size of the Jerez Circuit.

Of the total collected, 1 in 8 tyres was used for reuse (used tyres or retreads) (12.5%), 1 in 5 tyres was recycled into products for different applications (48.5%), and 1 in 5 tyres was used for energy recovery, mainly as a substitute for fossil fuels (39%).

Currently, among the main uses for end-of-life tyre (ELT) material in 2024 are 25,767 tons for the construction of approximately 260 soccer fields, 19,268 tons for the construction of approximately 3,900 playgrounds, and 3,714 tons for 350 kilometers of roads, among others. Also notable is the incorporation of new tyre treatment technologies, such as the pyrolysis process, which produces new secondary raw materials such as recovered carbon black and pyrolytic oil.

SIGNUS promotes solutions to the future European restriction on microplastics

Both pyrolysis technology and the development of bituminous mixtures with rubber from ELT for streets and roads are currently occupying SIGNUS’s greatest attention, given the imminent challenge of finding alternatives to the main application of recycled rubber—currently as infill in artificial turf fields—which accounts for around 50% of the recycled rubber produced annually.

October 2031 is the date set by the European Commission to ban the marketing of polymeric infill material smaller than 5 mm, as it falls within the definition of microplastic, due to the size and composition of the recycled rubber particles.

In light of this, SIGNUS has carried out the PERSEUS Project with Campezo, Moeve, and Asfaltia, funded by the CDTI (Centre for the Development of Industrial Property).

This project will allow the direct addition of rubber granules to asphalt mixtures, replacing part of the aggregate used. An experimental section has already been extended on a road belonging to the Provincial Council of Vizcaya.

Pyrolysis continues to be a challenge in Spain. There are several emerging projects capable of obtaining materials such as carbon black, pyrolytic oils, and gases for the process itself, but these are still in insufficient quantities and qualities for use in the manufacturing process of new tires. This currently constitutes one of the main challenges in the sector.

SIGNUS Innovation and Projects to Expand the Uses of Recycled Rubber

In addition to these two uses, SIGNUS continues to develop projects and studies focused on consolidating and seeking new alternatives to the use of recycled rubber from tires, something that is now even more important given this ban. During 2024, SIGNUS has worked, among other projects, on the use of recycled rubber in the manufacture of thermoplastics (GREENFU project). SIGNUS has also published a guide on the use of recycled rubber from tyres in cities under the name CITYRE, which outlines the various uses that recycled rubber can have in the urban environment.

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Tyre and Rubber Recycling

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