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Ireland Expands EPR Coverage for Tyres

Ewan Scott
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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.

Ecopneus Exceeds its Target in 2023

Ewan Scott
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Ecopneus Exceeds its Target in 2023

In 2023, over 187,000 tonnes of end-of-life tyres were collected and recovered by Ecopneus; 112 per cent of its target

Over 65 thousand collection visits were carried out at over 23 thousand tyre dealers throughout the country, a commitment that has brought concrete benefits to the community and the environment.

Also in 2023, the ELT collection and recycling system managed by Ecopneus made it possible to achieve important results, with over 187,000 thousand tonnes of ELTs collected on the entire national territory and exceeding its legal target by 12 per cent. This result made it possible to achieve the extraordinary objectives set by the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security to address the difficulties of the national collection system.

“In 2023, Ecopneus played a fundamental role in emergency management in the area, greatly exceeding the set objectives, guaranteeing high standards of service and homogeneous and widespread collection throughout Italy,” declared Alessandro De Martino, President of Ecopneus.  “Looking towards the future, we continue to pursue our vision of excellence, also directing our efforts towards innovation and the development of new sustainable practices in the treatment of ELTs. The use of ELTs as an energy resource, the search for new applications in the asphalt sector and the exploration of the possibilities offered by chemical recycling, such as pyrolysis, are the challenges that stimulate us to excel. Our commitment goes beyond the present, we face emerging challenges with awareness, maintaining a constant commitment to enhancing a strategic sector for our country”.

The ELT recycling system managed by Ecopneus represents an example of sustainability and innovation. The rubber obtained from ELT recycling is a precious material and widely used throughout the world for the creation of sports surfaces, football pitches, for silent, safe and long-lasting asphalt, acoustic insulation, urban furnishings, or used for energy recovery. The recycled rubber market is constantly growing. Ecopneus is actively dedicating itself to new lines and application sectors through constant Research and Development work, such as chemical recycling and applications in the industrial sector and to the development and consolidation of applications existing.

Among these, a leading role is played by asphalts modified with recycled rubber which are emerging as one of the most effective solutions and a valid strategic choice for the national road network, both urban and extra-urban. This technology, already used in around 700 km of Italian roads, combines safety, environmental sustainability and high-level mechanical performance. They contribute to reducing traffic noise by up to 5 dB and last up to three times longer than traditional asphalts, better resisting wear and the formation of cracks and potholes, an aspect which also leads to lower maintenance costs in the medium-long term.

Elgi Rubber Invests in Whole Tyre Reclaim Plant at Sriperumbudur

Satnam Singh
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Elgi Rubber Invests in Whole Tyre Reclaim Plant at Sriperumbudur

Elgi Rubber is expanding its rubber reclaim operation by investing in an all-new facility for Whole Tyre Reclaim (WTR) in Sriperumbudur, located about 40 km from Chennai, Tamil Nadu

The new site is strategically located at Sriperumbudur, which is home to some of India’s biggest tyre OEMs.

Coimbatore headquartered Elgi Group has made considerable investment in the new site. “We have invested about INR 1.2 billion in the new WTR facility,” informed Shankar Vadivel, Senior General Manager, Elgi Rubber.

The move is also part of major restructuring in the reclaim sector, which will see the currently operational site based at Chengalpattu, transferred to the new bigger plant at Sriperumbudur.

“We are also transferring the machinery and production from existing Chengalpattu plant to the new Sriperumbudur site. The Chengalpattu plant has a capacity of 500 tons per month, but the new Sriperumbudur facility will have double that capacity,” he confided,

Elgi Rubber will cease operation in the Chengalpattu plant once the Sriperumbudur site becomes operational. Replying to when the Sriperumbudur site will start operation, Shankar said, “The trail production has already commenced and in another fortnight the new plant will start functioning to 500 ton capacity per month in a phased manner and it will be geared up to the production level of 1000 m.t. per month in one or two months’ time.

When asked about the reasons of moving operation from Chengalpattu, Shankar informed, “We want to increase the production capacity to 1000 m.t. per month which is not possible at the existing plant at Chengalpattu. Our Sriperumbudur plant will be a modern one and state-of-the-art facility installed with imported machinery, which will make it a less labour-intensive operation.”

In the new EPR regime, tyre and rubber recyclers play key roles in the evolving supply chain as tyre producers have to collaborate or tie-up with authorised recycling facilities meeting specific government standards in ensuring proper disposal of end-of-life tyres.

“The expansion is also in line with the new EPR for waste tyres introduced by the government and where authorised recycler plays a key role,” confirmed Shankar Vadivel.

The Indian government has introduced Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for waste tyres which refers to the obligation placed on tyre producers to ensure end-of-life tyres are managed in an environmentally responsible manner.

Elgi Rubber supplies WTR to clients like MRF, JK Fenner, CEAT, Sri Chakra Tyres, Sundaram Industries etc. The production base at Sriperumbudur would also provide Elgi Rubber with an opportunity to further expand its reach among other major tyre OEMs based close to the plant.

When asked if it plans to explore the export market, the company said, it certainly has plans to export as currently, the majority of the WTR production is consumed in the domestic market. Meanwhile, Elgi’s its other reclaim vertical, which produces Butyl Rubber at Kanjikode (Kerala) and has applications in tube production is exporting to the markets of the US, Bangladesh, etc.

SIGNUS Maintains its Rates For 2024

Ewan Scott
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SIGNUS Maintains its Rates For 2024

SIGNUS enters the new year by maintaining the cost of managing used tyres and with the appointment of Maria Paz Robina, General Director of Michelin as the new president of the Entity for the next two years

SIGNUS held a breakfast with journalists to share the data and milestones of the past year and outline the path for this year 2024. Among the topics discussed, Julián Madruga, director of Relations with Member Companies, presented the main data management of 2023, although still to be consolidated data before being to the autonomous communities and the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, as required by the Royal Decree, highlighting the good work carried out by the entire team.

Last year, SIGNUS had to increase the management fees caused by the increase in transportation and treatment costs for each ton of tyres managed, which caused serious difficulties for all the processing plants. For this fiscal year 2024, all the necessary adjustments have been made to maintain the rates that were applied in 2023.

SIGNUS announced that the management data in 2023 was slightly lower in terms of market placement compared to previous years and in terms of slightly higher collection and management quantities, above 200,000 tons.

Last September, the European Union approved the restriction on the use of intentionally added microplastics, which includes the main destination of recycled rubber, as filler for artificial grass fields. There is an eight-year delay in implementation allowing work on the development of new uses and applications to which to allocate the nearly 60,000 tons of tyres normally destined for this application. Among these developments, the use of recycled rubber as acoustic and thermal insulation and its use in thermoplastics stands out. In addition to its incorporation in asphalt mixtures and as part of the aggregate, this is one of the recycling applications that has the greatest prospects, especially for its sound-reducing capacity, the main commitment of cities seeking ways to reduce noise pollution.

Pyrolysis has also been incorporated as an activity to keep tyre components out of use in the Circular Economy cycle. At this time, end-of-life tyres are already being supplied to two active plants.

At the meeting, Román Martín, director of Institutional Relations, made reference to the approval of the new Royal Decree on the management of ELT, scheduled for the coming months, highlighting the main modifications: administrative simplification, with a single authorisation model for the entire nation; the incorporation of the concept of ecomodulation when establishing management costs; the definition of the financial guarantee regime applicable to extended producer responsibility (EPR) systems and information obligations; the specification of the obligations of tyre producers, EPR systems and ELT generators and managers; and the obligation of an authorised representatives for producers who are established in another member state or third countries and who market tyres in Spain.

Another of the topics discussed at the meeting was the result of the public competitions for the selection of managers for collection and recovery services, which SIGNUS has carried out for the next three years and next year respectively.

Finally, reference was made to the participation of SIGNUS in the next edition of Madrid Design Festival -from February 14 to 25- in which it will have a space created in 3D printing with tyre powder, and in which different designs made from rubber from recycled tyres in different fields.

Pyrum Innovations Moves Forward

Ewan Scott
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Pyrum Innovations Moves Forward

Pyrum Innovation creates a new subsidiary “Pyrum GreenFactory II GmbH” established to operate second Pyrum plant in Saarland

Pyrum Innovations AG, a pioneer in the sustainable recycling of end-of-life tyres (ELT) based on its patented pyrolysis technology, continues to consistently pursue its growth course. At the beginning of January, a wholly owned subsidiary “Pyrum GreenFactory II GmbH” was founded to operate the second Pyrum plant in Saarland.

A new pyrolysis plant modelled on the plant in Dillingen/Saar with a capacity of 20,000 tons of ELT per year is to be built in Perl-Besch an der Mosel by the end of 2025. This will double Pyrum’s current recycling capacity for ELT. Plant components with notoriously long delivery times will be ordered in the first quarter of 2024.

Meanwhile, final preparations are underway at the main plant in Dillingen/Saar for the first long-term operation of the new recycling line TAD 2, which is scheduled to start on the 18th January, after the reactor was heated up to operating temperature yesterday as part of the final tests.

The line will then run for up to three-weeks continuously under real conditions and with industrial quantities. Following the successful test, Pyrum intends to switch directly into permanent operation of the line with ongoing performance optimisations. The TAD 3 line is also expected to enter the final phase of the warm ramp-up by the end of March 2024.

Pascal Klein, CEO of Pyrum Innovations AG said; “While we are finalising the last work for the plant expansion in Dillingen, we are also starting the next chapter in Perl-Besch full of energy thanks to the financing agreement recently reached with BASF.

“The second Pyrum-owned plant is to be built there by the end of 2025. We are also in the process of planning further joint plants with our partners across Europe. These developments are not only proof of the success of our unique technology, but also of our willingness to continuously invest in the future of sustainable resource recovery.”

ETRA Conference Scheduled for 17th-19th April

Ewan Scott
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ETRA Conference Scheduled for 17th-19th April

“Circular Transition in Tyre Recycling” is the title of the 29th Annual ETRA Conference on Tyre Recycling that will take place Wednesday through Friday, 17 – 19 April 2024 at Le Louise Hotel in Brussels

Influential and informative as always the ETRA conference is the unrivalled ‘one-stop’ shop for all those seeking the latest insights into the worldwide business of tyre recycling. With its focus on providing insights into every aspect of the ever more important subject of used tyre management no other single event comes close to delivering essential insights into our future as an industry with its many conference sessions, exhibitions networking and social opportunities.

The ETRA Plenary Sessions on Thursday will focus on issues confronting recyclers today: The Circular Transition is moving ahead, but what are the trends in the Global Economy and the impact on tyre recycling. Quantifying ELT arising across the EU is fundamental, but what the data does not tell?  What are the positions of the stakeholders? Are we sure that the sports market will decline? Will tyre manufacturers be able to use more recyclates? While other markets like transport infrastructures and building construction are growing and are looking for sustainable materials. These are just some points that will be addressed.

Friday will start by exploring new technologies to produce recyclates materials for the rubber industry and others: an update on the latest developments, new projects, improvements in materials quality. Pyrolysis is always very topical: new projects, improved technologies, high quality and growing interest. The final session will be on EU Programmess and funding opportunities.

Red Sea Shipping Crisis Highlights Threat to UK Environment

Ewan Scott
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Red Sea Shipping Crisis Highlights Threat to UK Environment

Red Sea crisis highlights that communities across Britain face environmental assault if UK can’t stop illegal disposal of end-of-life tyres

Despite the claimed aim of removing the T8 Exemption as quickly as is possible, the threat of tyre dumping has been increased by the actions currently taking place in the Red Sea, and the lack of action by the government on the T8 withdrawal.

Britain faces an environmental assault from the illegal disposal of end-of-life tyres as the impact of the Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping come home to roost.  With 75% of the UK’s waste tyres heading to the Indian subcontinent via the Red Sea route, the UK government rightly condemns Houthi attacks against commercial shipping, yet at the same time it is failing to address the environmental concerns that arise from this situation, warns the Tyre Recovery Association.

Industry insiders point to the Red Sea shipping crisis as exposing the lethargy of UK’s policy making and a reliance on exports that has been termed ‘environmental colonialism’. Government has been presented with evidence of the misuse of UK baled end-of-life tyres by Indian importers but have taken no action.  As ships are diverted via the Cape of Good Hope container rates for the shipment of used tyres have dramatically increased from an average £850 to £2,000. Meanwhile tyre collectors at the lower reaches of the market, commonly operating under a licence known as a T8 exemption, have come to rely on disposing of the tyres they collect by exporting to the Indian sub-continent. These operators have seen the price of the baled tyres they sell for export to the Indian sub-continent fall dramatically as overseas importers refuse to pay the additional surcharges shippers need to cover their increased transport costs. 

The last time prices collapsed for these operators there was a significant increase in fly tipping, abandonment and major tyre fires. Such fires can take days to extinguish, involving dozens of firefighters.  The noxious smoke can cause travel chaos to road and rail, as well as result in a dangerous reduction in air quality impacting local schools and communities. 

T8 exempted operators are limited to storing 40 tonnes of tyre a week, with an average 26 tonnes of tyre making up one container for export, the challenge becomes clear with illegal storage expected to rocket. As unscrupulous end-of-life tyre operators come under pressure, illegal stockpiling will rise, as will fly tipping and illegal abandonment, which includes burning. A cycle of behaviour that will once again damage Britain’s environment looks inevitable, effecting water courses and the air we breathe. Meanwhile the Environment Agency and other enforcement authorities will struggle to keep up with the scale of rule breaking given the challenges already faced in preceding more stable times.  

No time to implement end of T8 despite accord between parties

End-of-life tyre recyclers have been frustrated by the Government’s inability to implement the commitment made by the Environment Secretary to end T8 exemptions two years ago. With an election expected this year,  a DEFRA letter dated 04 January 2024, from the Minister responsible for land waste has confirmed that this government does not expect to allocate the necessary parliamentary time to curtail the well documented abuse of the T8 exemption in this parliament.

Peter Taylor OBE, Secretary General of the TRA, said; “The crisis in the Red Sea is not just a threat to British people’s ability to buy their clothes from Next, it presents a looming environmental calamity for communities near sites across the country. The TRA has been warning the government that current regulations are inadequate and allow non-compliant waste tyre operators to continue abusing the rules. As Houthi pirates create a strangle hold on shipping routes the full picture of the UK’s end-of-life-tyre market and its over reliance on Indian sub-continent importers comes into sharp relief. 

“Reputational damage to the industry from tyre fires, virtually all of which are at non-permitted sites, causes issue for mainstream permitted operators and the industry at large.

 “We have the capacity and capability in the UK to responsibly deal with end-of-life tyres but urgently need theUK’s environmental regulations to catch up.”

SOBE Takes Sober Response to Youngstown Moratorium

Ewan Scott
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SOBE Takes Sober Response to Youngstown Moratorium

The SOBE pyrolysis project has been halted by the Youngstown City Council as it investigates the project fully

SOBE Thermal Energy Systems said it “respects” the city’s “cautious approach,” after Youngstown voted unanimously in late December to place a one-year hold on plans for SOBE to convert scrapped tyre chips into synthetic gas [sic]. Of course the output of such a plant would normally be more than Syngas – there would be carbon char (at least) and tyre pyrolysis oil, as well as a mixture of gases, some of which could be used to heat the plant.

In a statement, the company said it has acknowledged City Council’s decision to further study the technology and is committed to working with the city and community to “foster an understanding of the technology’s benefits.” 

SOBE CEO David Ferro said; “SOBE reiterates its commitment to providing environmentally responsible and cost-effective energy solutions to Youngstown.”

Ferro adds, “This process not only helps in addressing the global challenge of tyre disposal but also significantly reduces our reliance on natural gas. This means stable and lower energy costs for our local businesses, regardless of seasonal temperature fluctuations.”

Existing operations will continue uninterrupted during this period and will not affect its current conversion process to turn natural gas into steam, he said. 

“SOBE’s facility in Youngstown is dedicated to energy conversion and is not classified as an industrial facility. We are a part of the community, focused on enhancing the quality of life and economic stability in Youngstown through sustainable energy practices,” Ferro said, “We invite open dialogue and are here to address any concerns or questions from our fellow citizens and businesses. Together, we can pave the way for a greener, more prosperous Youngstown.”

Liberty Tire Recycling Appoints President and CCO

Ewan Scott
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Liberty Tire Recycling Appoints President and CCO

Prior to joining Liberty, the new President, Andrew Meurer spent more than 12 years at Michelin

Liberty Tire Recycling, Pittsburgh, has hired Andrew Meurer as its president and chief commercial officer.

Meurer has come from 12 years at Michelin where he was most recently vice president of sales for the North American Passenger Tire Division.

Liberty says Meurer, who will report directly to CEO Thomas Womble, will spearhead the company’s efforts to collaborate with tyre manufacturers and tyre retailers to expand existing and design new sustainable end-of-life solutions for tres.

“Meurer is the right person for the next phase of Liberty,” Womble says. “As an industry, we know we need to continue to evolve and innovate since end-of-life tyres can be one of the biggest risks manufacturers and retailers face if they aren’t managed properly.”

Meurer says; “End-of-life tyres are a big challenge. Tyres today are safer and last longer than ever before, but that makes them even more difficult to recycle. I am excited to work with Liberty and the team at Energy Capital Partners to transform tyre recycling so we can better meet the needs of the entire value chain.”

US Market Embraces Gradeall’s Tyre Baling Equipment

Ewan Scott
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0
US Market Embraces Gradeall’s Tyre Baling Equipment

Gradeall, renowned for its MK2 tyre baler and sidewall cutter, celebrated a landmark year in 2023 with its expansion into the American market

This move was marked with the sale of 10 MK2 tyre balers and their labour saving Inclined Tyre Balers to Trade Your Tires based in Jonesboro, Georgia.

Trade Your Tires LLC, a major scrap tyre collection service in Georgia, has seamlessly integrated Gradeall’s balers across multiple sites. The MK2 Tyre Balers have been instrumental in transforming environmentally hazardous piles of waste car tyres into neatly packed, PAS108 spec bales, enhancing storage efficiency and reducing transportation costs.

These balers have demonstrated impressive performance and cost-efficiency. Featuring the latest hydraulic power pack with a regenerative hydraulic function. The Gradeall MK2 Tyre Baler manages to do the work of a 15Kw power pack using only a 7.5Kw, with the pressing force and cycle times not adversely affected, all whilst minimising electrical consumption.

A distinctive feature of the MK2 tyre baler is its remote monitoring capability, thanks to on board internet connectivity making this a ‘Smart Baler’. This feature was pivotal for Trade Your Tires as it enables them to monitor their fleet of balers and track output at each site. Additionally, a bale count function streamlines their workflow, as containers can be organised for collection when they are full. This ensures that their sites remain clear with as much safe working room as possible.

The tyre disposal market in the USA, while still evolving, shows a growing preference for bale-based solutions for end-of-life tyres. These bales often find their way into various channels, such as shredding, pyrolysis, or as tyre-derived fuel. There is a significant market demand for these bales, and more importantly a vast amount of scrap tyres that need to be dealt with across all of the US.

The Inclined Tyre Baler Conveyor has notably improved the workflow at Trade Your Tires. At their main site, which handles the largest volume of tyres, the conveyor has been extremely well received by the employees who load the balers. It reduces physical strain and risk of repetitive strain injuries, enhancing site morale and boosting productivity with a pair of MK2 tyre balers operating in tandem.

Simon Nguyen from Trade Your Tires has praised the conveyor for reducing operator fatigue and injury risks, emphasising its ergonomic design for waist-height operation and easy tyre loading.  

Gradeall’s foray into the US market has taken a number of years, but 2023 has seen several other US based customers take delivery of Gradeall Equipment. By addressing operational challenges and improving efficiency of the baling, Gradeall has set a new standard in the industry. Those interested in Gradeall’s range of solutions for End Of Life tyres can find an impressive array of equipment on their website, showcasing over a decade of strides in improving this sector.

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