The Leading Journal for the Tyre Recycling Sector

The Leading Journal for the Tyre Recycling Sector

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Fredrik Emilson Becomes CEO of Enviro

Fredrik Emilson has now assumed the position as the new CEO of Enviro

As previously communicated, former CEO Thomas Sörensson will in connection with this move to a role as senior advisor within the company.

Fredrik Emilson has a long history at Höganäs AB where he was the company’s CEO during the period 2017-2023. During his time at Höganäs, Fredrik also held the role of Head of Europe followed by beeing responsible for the Asian market. ganäs AB is a world-leading manufacturer of metal powders with a turnover of more than SEK 12 billion and 2,400 employees globally. Emilson also has a background in the Trelleborg Group and thus experience from the rubber industry. He has also worked as a management consultant within E&Y with a main focus on project management and business development.

In his various roles, he has accumulated extensive experience in industrialisation in combination with sustainability issues. He also has extensive experience of working with the automotive industry.

“I am very much looking forward to being involved in scaling up Enviro and its operations. Enviro has an opportunity to make a real difference and my ambition is for the company to become a world leader in its field,” says Fredrik Emilson, new CEO of Enviro.

Qatar’s MRF has Global Goals

Modern Recycling Factory (MRF) was founded in Qatar in 2012, by Mr. Abdulla Salem Al Ali, to deal with the growing waste tyre issue in the country

The factory is situated in the heart of the industrial zone over 20,000 square metres in Messaied City, Qatar. Modern Recycling Factory (MRF) makes the most efficient use of research and technology development qualities, wider and wholesome clientele, and enhanced large-scale facilities. All acquired and strengthened as a result of the management integration, enabling them to proceed in improving and developing their products with high-quality International (ISO), American (ASTM), and European’s (CEN) standards in various fields and several applications that will be a replacement for resources such, as concrete and asphalt.

The vision behind choosing the tyre recycling business was to meet the Qatari Government’s efforts to save the environment, and helping to achieve the national vision of Qatar 2030.

MRF, across three lines of tyre recycling, produces 75 tons per hour of rubber crumb, steal, and shred. MRF aims to be the premier provider of recycled tyre rubber products not just in Qatar but in the whole world. By recycling more than 1.5 million of the nation’s ELT out of the current 35 million awaiting recycling at several sites within Qatar; the factory transforms them into raw materials for smart, sustainable products that improve peoples’ lives, such as sport fields, running tracks, playground, buildings, infrastructure, and matting surfaces.

With quality project management, innovative tools, technologies and processes from European technology, MRF is already a revolutionary Qatari environmentally friendly enterprise. The factory’s commitment in finding modern and better ways to Reduce, Recycle and Reuse waste tyres, meets the sustainability goals of Qatar’s National Vision 2030.

MRF products are tested and accredited by certified laboratories globally, such as SGS and others. They use TRIAX 2015 for the surface impact system. These tests are to assure clients that they only offer highly quality goods that are equal to international safety standards. Across its full product range, MRF ensures exceptionality and client satisfaction in all the craftsmanship they make.

MRF’s aim is “To be the premier provider of sport flooring, building infrastructure, playground, fitness and gym’s products not just in Qatar and the GCC, but worldwide”.

MRF’s core values define the philosophy of Board of Directors, and they reflect the best of the organisation’s character. They provide the highest training for the staff; they also tend to share the products’ examination with the most reliable international laboratory tests to reach an outstanding product quality.

Since MRF includes the largest tyre recycling lines to manufacture rubber crumb, this gives the highest strength to the downstream technology to produce many products under one roof.

MRF markets its products locally and internationally, this is why it has two sales teams for local and export sales, each of them having their own tasks. They make their approach through many marketing channels, by personal visits and the use of social media, also through the participation in tenders, according to their spokesman, the annual target has always been achievable and even during the pandemic period, the percentages of the achieved sales were relatively high compared to the sales target.

Mr. Abdulla Salem Al Ali, Chairman of MRF believes in the commitment to provide customers with the premier service at a cost-effective price. “We are continually finding new ways to reuse and recycle scrap tyres to stop them going to landfill areas. Recycling tyres is MRF’s commitment to the environment. We will achieve a healthy and safe environment that contributes to accomplishing the national vision of Qatar 2030 and the world environmental vision” added Abdulla.

Enviro CEO Sörensson Joins Sweden-France Business Forum

Enviro’s CEO, Thomas Sörensson, presented Enviro and participated at the business seminar Sweden-France Business Forum: Accelerating Europe’s competitiveness, on January 31 in conjunction with the French state visit

The conference focused on innovation and sustainability and among the participants are H.M. King, French President Emmanuel Macron, government representatives, and over 200 business representatives from Sweden and France.

“One focus area during the conference is how the green transition can be facilitated by innovation and collaborations, and our partnership with Michelin is a shining example of this. The fact that Enviro has been invited to such an event highlights the importance and necessity of what we are working to achieve”, says Thomas Sörensson, CEO of Enviro.

The Sweden-France Business Forum is organised by Business Sweden, together with the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the City of Stockholm, the French Embassy in Sweden, and Business France, as part of the French state visit to Sweden on January 30–31. The conference took place in Stockholm City Hall and aimed to further strengthen business relations, identify new areas of collaboration, and encourage continued investments in both countries.

APS UK Ltd Signs UK & Ireland Agency Deal with Maris SPA

APS UK Ltd (APS), a York-based industry-leader in dust extraction and pneumatic conveying, has announced a strategic partnership with Italian manufacturer, Maris SPA, to become Agents for Maris SPA’s Twin Screw Extruders in the UK and Ireland

Founded in 1998, APS is a trusted expert in the design and installation of dust and fume extraction and pneumatic conveying systems. APS boasts an impressive client portfolio, working with the likes of Biffa, Berry Group, Lyondell Basel, PepsiCo, Haribo and more, across a wide range of sectors, including plastics, recycling, food and pharmaceutical.

APS’ alliance with Maris SPA signifies a substantial expansion of its offering for the UK market.

A world leader in extrusion technologies, Maris SPA’s Twin Screw Extruders are an efficient and reliable solution for plastic processing and devulcanisation, with many of Maris’ products being recognised as standard across the globe.

With a strong foothold in the plastic and recycling sector, APS is well-positioned to cater to the growing demand for Twin Screw Extruders among its established and prospective clientele.

Matthew Brown, Sales Director at APS, said; “At APS we are continuously seeking innovative and effective solutions for our clients and firmly believe that partnering with Maris SPA will enable us to deliver even more comprehensive and technologically advanced systems to businesses across the UK.

Maris SPA’s high-quality products are widely recognised for their impressive design, innovative technology and incredible results. We are excited to bring their Twin Screw Extruders to the UK.”

The Maris SPA’s, Marco Leonardi, added; “We have full confidence that APS is the perfect partner to supply and service our products in the UK market. Their proven track record of delivering excellent service and top-quality solutions aligns seamlessly with our values.”

Eldan Recycling A/S and Picvisa Announce Partnership

Eldan’s Industry Expertise Meets Picvisa’s Innovative Technology: A synergistic partnership combining decades of recycling solutions with cutting-edge optical sorting technology

Eldan Recycling, a leader in the provision of high-quality recycling solutions since 1956, and Picvisa Machine Vision Systems, a front-runner in optical separation technology, have announced a historic partnership. This alliance is set to reshape the landscape of the recycling industry, combining Eldan’s vast experience with Picvisa’s innovative machine vision technologies.

Eldan Recycling has been a dominant force in the recycling industry, offering a wide array of recycling solutions for various materials such as non-ferrous, refrigerators, industrial waste and municipal solid waste. With a robust portfolio that includes the installation of over 1200 complete systems and 8100 individual machines worldwide, Eldan has cemented its position as a global powerhouse in recycling equipment offering solutions mainly in the tyre, cable, electronic waste and NF areas.

Picvisa, a part of Calaf Grup, brings to the table 20 years of excellence in the design, manufacture, and supply of optical separation equipment for material sorting and waste recovery mainly in the Glass, Plastic packaging and Textile sectors. Their recent certification as a Bcorp emphasises their commitment to sustainability and innovation in all aspects of their operations.

The partnership is a strategic response to the evolving needs of the recycling market. It represents a significant leap forward, allowing Eldan to integrate Picvisa’s unique optical sorting technology into its processes. This collaboration will result in the development of new lines of sorting equipment – the MPS and SPS, tailored for efficient sorting in various applications, particularly in WEEE, NF, and mixed metal scrap systems.

This move not only solidifies Eldan’s position as a comprehensive provider in the recycling industry but also enhances Picvisa’s global reach and influence in markets where Eldan is well established. The introduction of MPS and SPS demonstrates the companies’ joint commitment to innovation, offering solutions that are both sustainable and technologically advanced.

The Tire Cologne is on Track

With around four months to go until The Tire Cologne takes place, from 4 to 6 June 2024, the event is clearly right on track: around 90 per cent of the exhibition space at the leading international trade fair for the tyre and wheel industry is already booked

The event will once again offer the unique opportunity to access the world’s largest industry community by bringing the relevant players together in one place, where they can network efficiently and reach a wide audience.

“The preparations for The Tire Cologne have been in full swing for months now, with the aim of making sure the trade fair retains its position as the most important networking event for the B2B sector. I’m very pleased with the registration figures, in terms of quality as well as quantity. The overall picture is that the hall occupancy rate will be significantly higher than at the 2022 edition of The Tire Cologne, with even more exhibitors anticipated at this year’s event. We’re expecting an increase of around 50 per cent,” said Ingo Riedeberger, Director of The Tire Cologne. “And we’re pleased to reveal that we’re receiving positive responses not just from well-known brands, but also from some returning and new exhibitors, such as Maxxis and MRF in the tire and wheel segment, Heuver with its brand Albourgh, Euromaster and tyre24.com in the trade segment, VIPAL, B&J Rocket and Tech Europe in the retreading and repair segment, and Würth in the workshop equipment segment”, Riedeberger added. The global relevance of The Tire Cologne will be demonstrated again in 2024, particularly with the participation of numerous exhibitors from Asian countries, including Taiwan, China and India. 

The Tire Cologne aspires to drive the discussion of key topics affecting the global tire industry, which is why the event is more than just a showcase for the sector. More than any other trade fair, it is focused on relevant trends and key topics offering future potential and business opportunities. It was with this in mind that Koelnmesse developed the concept of a Circular Economy Area to bring together players operating in all aspects of the circular economy associated with tires. One example is AZuR, the Alliance for the Future of Tyres, which exhibits with 16 partners, allowing visitors to take a look at the big picture of circularity in the tyre sector. Accordingly, the issue of retreading will have a key role to play at The Tire Cologne. A raft of well-known industry players and experts will participate in discussions on this topic at the fair. The issue of recycling in particular harbours enormous growth potential in the tire industry – innovative approaches to thermal recovery and material recycling are being developed, bringing a breath of fresh air and momentum into the industry. 

To ensure their continued success on the market, tire retailers need to position themselves competitively. In addition to key issues such as the shortage of skilled workers, digitalisation in particular is playing an increasingly important role in the industry – which means it’s placing greater demands on workshops. For this reason, The Tire Cologne 2024 will be working with exhibitors Hunter and Würth to explore the workshop requirements of the future in the special Workshop LIVE format. One important aspect of this topic will be diagnostic tools and repair technology.  

Tyrewise Expects to be Operational on 1st March

Registrations of Tyrewise participants are now in full swing with loose tyre and vehicle importers and sellers, as well as tyre collectors and processors around the country getting in touch to be part of the solution for end-of-life tyres in Aotearoa New Zealand

Tyrewise’s focus has been on supporting tyre importers as they work with the Fee Schedule and the Tariff codes to enter into their inventory system so that the Tyre Stewardship Fee will be charged to their customers from 1 March 2024.  Tyrewise advises that loose tyre importers, make sure they or their Customs Broker / Freight Forwarder register for the next webinar hosted by CBAFF on 7 February 2024.

Tyrewise also advises that the members of its first Technical Advisory Group is being finalised. This group will be working on tariff codes with NZ Customs.

Up till now the focus of Tyrewise communications has been to the trade. However, soon Tyrewise will begin to introduce the scheme to all new Zealanders.

Continental Forest in Spain Highlights the Drive to Sustainability  

Continental, the Collaborating Urban Planning Authority of Ecopolígono Conservation Plataforma Central Iberum, Groupe CAT and URBAN CM have collaborated to plant the 500 trees and 1,500 shrubs that make up the Continental Forest

The forest is located in the Central Iberian Peninsula and the collaboration highlights the sustainability values of Continental, reflected in the creation of products based on the recovery of used materials, the focus on the circular economy of its factories and the continuous move towards sustainable development.

Alongside this collaboration, Continental, the EUCC PCI Urban Castilla La Mancha Groupe CAT – one of the main logistics operators in the world and the company collaborating on this project – work together to promote environmental and social responsibility. With this aim, they have created the “Continental Forest”, made up of 500 trees and 1,500 units of shrubs, all of the native species following the design of the green areas of Riego 0. The plantation covers approximately 55,000 m2.

To inaugurate the “Continental Forest”, José Manuel Tofiño, mayor of Illescas, Pedro Teixeira, director general of Continental Tires, as well as Antonio Pérez, director general of Groupe CAT and Miguel Ángel González Naranjo, director general of Plataforma Central Iberum, César Muntán, Manager of the Administration of EUCC PCI and various representatives of the local council, attended the installation of an information board specifying the details of the project.

Pedro Teixeira, states; “We are very happy to create projects in favour of nature, today more than ever of our activity and of many other actors in the sector. In this case, the collaboration with the Ecopolígono Plataforma Central Iberum Urban Conservation Collaborator has helped us to build a green space which will contribute to improving the quality of the air and improving the care of the environment.”

Katrakis Replaced by Blees as EuRIC’s Secretary General

Emmanuel Katrakis, who has served as EuRIC Secretary General since the association’s establishment in 2014, has decided to step down as of March 2024

Julia Blees to become Secretary General of EuRIC
Emmanuel Katrakis steps down from his role at EuRIC in March

Julia Blees, EuRIC’s Policy Director is poised to carry forward the association’s vision and mission, which is celebrating its momentous 10th anniversary this year.
Under Emmanuel Katrakis’ leadership, EuRIC has experienced remarkable growth, becoming an indispensable partner in advancing the circular economy and sustainability initiatives across Europe. His vision, commitment, and tireless dedication have positioned EuRIC as a key contributor to Europe’s green transition and an indispensable interlocutor of European institutions.
Reflecting on his decision to step down, Katrakis commented; “Leading the association for the past 10 years has been an incredible journey. I am immensely proud of what we have achieved together. In ten years, we have more than doubled the number of resource streams we represent, quadrupled in members, and welcomed a new team member every year. As I transition to new opportunities, I am confident that Julia Blees, with the support of the Board, Members and Team, will thrive in her new duties and successfully spearhead the efforts towards the circular future our industry strives for.”
The appointment of Julia Blees as the new Secretary General, set to take over in early April, was made during EuRIC’s latest Board meeting in January 2024. Until the end of March, Katrakis and Blees will work closely together with the team to ensure the smoothest leadership transition.
EuRIC has been the voice of the recycling industry in Brussels for the past 10 years. After five years of contributing to this journey and actively engaging with stakeholders, I am excited to lead the efforts as of April and continue to weave new opportunities for EuRIC and the recycling industry,” stated Blees.
Blees is a German lawyer and holds a Master of Laws from the U.S. She has been managing EuRIC’s Paper and Textiles Branch, as well as handling all international and legal matters. In addition to managing the association’s challenging portfolio, Julia Blees is set to continue EuRIC’s legacy and maintain strong connections with the EU institutions and circular economy stakeholders.
“EuRIC continues its proud journey towards gender balance in leadership positions, with Julia Blees becoming the first woman appointed as Secretary General”, the President of EuRIC, Olivier Francois stated.

Ireland Expands EPR Coverage for Tyres

Ireland will be including agricultural tyres in its EPR scheme operated by Circol ELT

The Irish Minister of State with responsibility for Communications and Circular Economy Ossian Smyth is expanding the tyres Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme. From 1 January 2025, the scheme will include all categories of tyres set out in the Tyres Regulations (8th regulation).

Currently, the EPR scheme manages tyres of passenger cars, 4x4s, van and motorcycle tyres to find sustainable solutions for managing waste tyres.

The inclusion of all tyre categories will enable the environmentally sound management of bus, truck, agricultural, construction and industrial waste tyres.

To reduce these risks, the Waste Management (Tyres and Waste Tyres) Regulations 2017 place certain obligations on those who supply tyres to the Irish market. Ireland introduced an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme for tyres in 2017. This is operated by Circol ELT (formerly Repak ELT). All tyre producers and retailers are legally obliged to be members of the scheme.

Irish Environment Minister Ossian Smyth

Following on from the success of the tyre scheme for passenger car and motorcycle tyres, Circol ELT will commence industry consultation with key stakeholders to support the upcoming change in legislation for all tyres.

Commenting on the extension of the tyres EPR scheme, Minister Smyth said; “The extension of the tyres EPR scheme will ensure all tyre categories are captured under the scheme. To date, the tyres EPR scheme has operated very successfully and has allowed Ireland to exceed its domestic targets. The scheme also contributes to diversion of large amounts of waste from landfill.

“EPR Schemes are an effective method to increase circular economy and provide Ireland with the opportunity to develop economic incentives in favour of circular products and business models.”

Circol ELT (formerly Repak ELT) was founded six years ago and tasked with managing end of life tyres, starting with car tyres. This role is being expanded to cover all tyre arisings in Ireland.

The scheme is funded by an Environmental Management Cost (EMC) paid by the producers to Circol ELT, who organise the collection and treatment of end-of-life tyres.