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Italy Prepares to Cope with Crumb Rubber Ban

Ewan Scott
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Italy Prepares to Cope with Crumb Rubber Ban

In April, just shortly after the EuRIC Conference, the European Commission approved the ECHA RAC proposals to ban crumb rubber infill in its microplastics recommendations. The proposal is now out for consultation with the EU states and the outcome is expected to be in favour of the ban.

Speaking with Federico Dossena from Italy’s Ecopneus, the discussion got straight to the heart of the matter. Dossena explained, “Our understanding is that there is a quite wide consensus among the state members to go along with the change of the European regulations.

“Therefore, the 90 days and the two voting rounds will be absolutely in favour of the current proposal.”

This, in the medium term will surely have an impact upon the recycling industry. The tonnage not going to infill will have no market and that will create huge issues for the recycling sector and those managing tyre arisings.

Dossena adds, “The restriction will impact severely on the Italian supply chain for ELT. The Italian market for secondary raw materials from ELT is mostly based on infill for synthetic turf. Out of the overall mass, the main market is represented by sports surfaces.

“The Italian value chain will be quite severely impacted. At this point, we do not have the volume-consuming solutions capable of absorbing the quantities that will still be generated. We have to start watching the possible alternatives to handle the large volumes that will arise.”

By all accounts, the two potentially large consumers of ELT material are rubberised asphalt and the pyrolysis process. Italy has had several years of experience with test roads where studies have been carried out on rubberised asphalt, but there has been no widespread development of that market.

On the pyrolysis front, Italy has no operational tyre pyrolysis plants, and in the past, there has been considerable stakeholder disquiet about the idea of tyre pyrolysis.

Microplastics ban
Rubberised-asphalt-has-been-proven-and-Dossena-expects-legislative-backing-for-the-material-scaled

Market Expected to Open for Rubberised Asphalt

“The vast majority of rubberised asphalt has indeed been the result of studies, many of which were promoted by Ecopneus. We can now say that the experience and the competencies are there, and the only missing element is the stimulus required to adapt rubberised asphalt. There is potential use, particularly in urban areas where noise limits have been set by law, and rubberised asphalt has the potential to reduce road noise to within those limits.

Therefore, our effort is addressing the administrators and authorities to act more firmly to support the adoption of rubberised asphalt. Our activity is now to start an immediate dialogue to promote and gain legal support to motivate local authorities to choose these solutions.”

Italy already has a green procurement policy for retreaded tyres and that has supported retreading in the country. So, now Ecopneus is driving for a similar procurement approach to rubberised asphalt.

In the wider European market, there is talk from the pyrolysis sector that this microplastics ban will help provide an impetus and create a pre-prepared feedstock supply for their own processes.  However, there are currently no tyre pyrolysis projects operating in Italy.

Dossena responds; “Pyrolysis opportunities today have never taken place in Italy., because they were mistakenly evaluated as the equivalent of burning. However, now, the plastic sector has started to make some headway with a pilot plant that has been evaluated positively. Of course, we can utilise those results and this is a second line of engagement. We have started positive discussions with local authorities with a view to installing quite significant plants. They could take large volumes of pre-prepared tyres. This will also have an effect on the collection of tyres through the selection and segregation systems that will be required.

“We are starting to see segregation, car or truck, or even by brands. That will give the pyrolysis plants a given and controlled feedstock capable of giving a controlled output according to the specification the customer might require.

Changes Coming In Collection Processes

“That will make a change to the way tyres are collected and granulated compared to the experience of the past 10 years.”

On that point, we understand that the tyre manufacturers are becoming more interested and more involved in recycling. We heard recently that Aliapur had taken on three of Regom’s AI driven tyre selection systems and that Michelin has also taken on board a Regom system. That came not just from Regom, but also from Michelin.

We are also aware that SDAB, in Sweden, is looking at AI tyre selection, and that, of course has to be driven by the needs of the end client, the tyre manufacturer.

“The interaction that we have had from players from abroad coming to Italy to set up plants. There will be a need to go into segregation by brands, because every producer knows their own product and they would be interested in getting back their own material. So, we may see the pyrolysis plants working, one week for manufacturer A, the following week, working for manufacturer B.  This might be a potential development that we can start identifying with those watching the Italian market for their next pyrolysis plant.”

It has been said by some in the industry that as soon as this legislation goes through, there will be no more demand for crumb rubber infill. No local authority, no sports club, is going to invest in a crumb rubber pitch that has just a short lifespan. In the interim, before the new markets develop, what happens to the material? Will Italy join the UK in shipping its waste to India?

Microplastics Ban
Tyreplast matting can be used in many applications as a moulded product from tyres

Crumb Rubber Infill May Get Revisited in Time

“I have a different view,” says Dossena.” There are still a few fields in the process of being built.  It is also true that there may be some doubts, but the local authorities have to confront themselves with the costs. Synthetic turf is still cheaper than natural grass. So, we might have a period that will meet the needs in the Interim. I am quite optimistic that companies will have the opportunity to keep running through the progressive decline of the crumb rubber infill sector, but also the lifting of demand for powder going into roads, and the even sooner than expected development of a pyrolysis plant.

“I am convinced that the overall acceptance of new technologies, with new jobs, professional technicians, and all these together will push for the development of pyrolysis plants sooner than expected.

“When talking to the Ministers, they understand the opportunities and they know that these developments cannot be left in the hands of other countries. The focus and attention of many stakeholders is now converging, and we will hopefully soon become a reality. The doubts and resistances are over. It is now a question of implementing an industrial process.

“Ecopneus is aware that we need large feedstocks and this may mean that we have to recover from the exports we have going to energy recovery.

“We also have to consider the development of other markets, such as Tyreplas, where we mix tyres and plastics to create new products and markets for recycled rubber.”

We must not forget that after a period of studies and analysis to measure the real dispersion from fields, duly equipped with anti-dispersion measures, we may be able to go back to the European Commission with empirical evidence. The current decision has been made on assumptions rather than facts. We have a time-lapse and can accumulate a number of studies and we may be able to go back for a reconsideration on crumb rubber infill.”

Return of the TRA Briefing Day

Ewan Scott
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Return of the TRA Briefing Day

The TRA ‘Briefing Day’, long a feature of the UK recycling calendar, will be back this year following a Covid forced break

The 2023 TRA event will be held on Wednesday 13th September 2023 at the Woodland Grange Hotel, Leamington Spa, so make a diary date now

As always, delegates can expect insightful and high quality briefings on all the current market and regulatory trends from our expert presenters.

Participation is free to TRA Members, media representatives and our industry regulators. A charge of £50 per person will apply to all other bookings, which includes refreshments and a buffet lunch.

The Programme to date:

  • UK and European used tyre arisings -Where they come from and where they go
  • The Regulatory Challenge – Improving enforcement and permitting and the EA plans for waste movement monitoring
  • World Developments in tyre recycling – new projects and approaches to end of life tyre management
  • Promoting rubberised asphalt – a missing opportunity
  • Prospects for tyre pyrolysis – a status update
  • Tyre Recycling in the UK – Unlocking the barriers to success

SIGNUS Achieves A 30% Reduction of its Carbon Footprint

Ewan Scott
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SIGNUS Achieves A 30% Reduction of its Carbon Footprint

SIGNUS registered with the Spanish Office for Climate Change the Carbon Footprint in 2017, the first EPR scheme to so do

This project was launched with the aim of finding ways to improve the environmental management of tyres, which not only involves finding more applications for the resulting by-products, but also involving all the actors involved in the different operations of that management. For this reason, in all its supplier selection processes for collection services, SIGNUS values positively that the candidate has their carbon footprint measured.

SIGNUS has recently re-measured and registered its footprint, after implementing a series of measures to reduce it in the 2019-2021 triennium compared to the 2018-2020 triennium, achieving a 30.09 per cent reduction in emissions. To achieve this reduction, SIGNUS drew up and implemented an emissions reduction plan promoting the activation of specific measures to improve its energy efficiency and optimisation of routes associated with the collection of tyres that, foreseeably, in future measurements, will further improve the data.

The result of the certified measurement of this last period has led SIGNUS to obtain two of the three seals awarded by the Spanish Office for Climate Change (Calculo, Reducco y Compenso) related to the commitment to decarbonise Spanish companies by 2050.

The Carbon Footprint Registry is voluntary and includes the efforts of Spanish companies, administrations and other organisations in the calculation, reduction and compensation of greenhouse gas emissions generated by their activity.

Enviro Collaborates with Chalmers University to Improve Recycling Technology

Ewan Scott
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Enviro Collaborates with Chalmers University to Improve Recycling Technology

Scandinavian Enviro Systems is participating in a three-year project at Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg within the scope of an initiative to reduce the carbon footprint of West Sweden’s chemical industry

The collaboration aims to leverage increased knowledge to develop the next generation of Enviro’s pyrolysis-based recycling technology.

The project is part of the innovation agency Vinnova’s ten-year Vinnväxt initiative Klimatledande processindustri (“Climate Leading Process Industry”). The initiative aims to support the West Sweden chemicals industry’s transition from its dependence on fossil fuel to an industry based on renewable and recovered raw materials. In addition to Enviro, other participants include Stena and the chemical company Borealis.

The sub-project involving Enviro’s technology addresses the recovery of complex polymers and is being led by the Division of Energy Technology at the Department of Space, Earth and Environment at Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg. Chalmers is represented by Associate Professor Martin Seemann and postdoc scientist Nidia Diaz, both of whom have many years of experience in pyrolysis.

By combining Enviro’s many years of experience in pyrolysis with the latest research findings in the area, the parties hope to collaborate on developing the next generation of material recycling solutions using pyrolysis.

“The aim is to study the technology more closely to obtain a better understanding of it and to be thereby able to make future improvements,” says Martin Seemann.

“Thanks to our facility in Åsensbruk, we have more than ten years of practical experience with pyrolysis. The collaboration with Chalmers means that we can combine that experience with advanced research for the development of the next generation of pyrolysis-based solutions for different materials,” says Thomas Sörensson, CEO of Enviro.

New TANA 440ET Electric Shredder

Ewan Scott
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New TANA 440ET Electric Shredder

The newest addition to the popular and proven TANA Shark shredder series, the TANA 440ET, uses electricity as its power source

TANA has taken the step towards electrification, combining the benefits of cheap energy, long service intervals and near-emissions-free operations. The new model helps TANA customers succeed in public procurements and competition within the circular economy.

“Electrification makes it possible to reduce local emissions from waste processing to a minimum. This supports the goals of our customers working at the heart of the circular economy and makes the pre-processing of recycled raw materials and recycled materials even cleaner,” says Eetu Tuovinen, Product Manager for TANA shredders.

The TANA Shark 440ET is based on proven technology that has been tested extensively in real conditions. The design of the new shredder is based on the TANA Shark series that was launched at the beginning of the 2000s and whose properties of durability, versatility and mobility have achieved almost iconic status among customers.

The development of the new shredder model was driven by feedback from customers. “Our customers have shown strong interest and a need for an electrically powered and mobile shredder. The TANA Shark 440ET is the first shredder model on the market that combines mobility and electric drive,” Tuovinen explains.

Sales to customers will begin at the end of 2023, and the first units will be delivered to customers at the beginning of 2024.

Reliable energy and long service intervals reduce maintenance and costs by half

The TANA Shark 440ET completes the philosophy of the model series, according to which every customer can find a suitably powered and reliable shredder with the optimal performance for their particular operations.

The TANA Shark 440ET is ideally suited for high-volume production facilities, where industrial-grade 1000-amp and 400/480-volt three-phase electrical connections are available. “Electrification makes the shredder’s operating costs more affordable than before, thanks to longer service intervals. Compared to diesel models, the service interval is twice as long, meaning that every other service is omitted. The spare parts used in maintenance are also cheaper, because electric motors are practically maintenance-free, whereas diesel engines require regular oil and filter changes, for example,” Tuovinen describes.

In recent years, the importance of the circular economy and locally produced recycled materials has also grown in terms of security of supply. A power unit based on diversified and decentralised electricity production supports not only environmental goals, but also the security of supply and predictability of operating costs for customers. Furthermore, the more the electricity production capacity increases, the more affordable the power source is.

“Roughly estimated, even at current prices, the operating cost of an electric shredder per hour is just half the fuel costs of a diesel shredder.”

The new shredder utilises combined hydraulics and electricity technology, as the electrified power unit powers the traditional hydraulics that then rotate the shredder rotor knives.

“The new model shreds all the same materials as previous models. Our familiar and safe TANA technology has simply been updated into a new version,” Tuovinen summarises.

Although the shredding itself is powered by mains electricity, diesel technology has not been completely abandoned. The new electric shredder is equipped with a small diesel engine that allows the machine to be driven independently from one processing point to another at the production plant or terminal.

“It is the mobility of the shredder that is important for our customers’ work. Many customers have several different fractions of waste to process in different parts of the yard, and it is important to be able to move the machine. The auxiliary diesel engine makes this effortless.”

Entyr Signs Deal with Australian NTRO

Ewan Scott
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Entyr Signs Deal with Australian NTRO

The National Transport Research Organisation (NTRO) and pioneering environmental technology company, Entyr Limited, has signed a 5-year product development agreement, including an extended royalty arrangement.

The agreement will expedite the commercial application of patented tyre-derived products which improve the life and sustainability of asphalt.  

Over the past two years, Entyr Limited has been collaborating with NTRO to assess and test Entyr’s recovered carbon black and tyre-derived fuel oil from end-of-life tyres replacing virgin resources in the creation of asphalt.   

“Entyr’s recovered carbon black has shown superior sustainability and is an excellent candidate to substitute virgin resources removing the carbon impact of mining a natural material. When the recovered carbon black and the tyre-derived fuel oil are used, the environmental and performance outcomes of using Entyr’s products are leading the way in paving a sustainable transport future,” said Petar Davcev, Material Performance & Testing Portfolio Leader for NTRO.

“There has been measurable environmental, safety and sustainability improvements in Southeast Queensland roads which have used Entyr’s products in asphalt mixes and the products are being trialled in other states by government and organisations keen to lower their carbon footprint and provide the highest quality infrastructure for communities,” said Mr Davcev.

Following the successful evidence-based performance of Entyr’s recovered carbon black and the tyre-derived fuel oil in road pavements over the last two years, NTRO has identified several new commercial opportunities that can be pursued upon completion of evidence-based science.

“This agreement provides Entyr with accelerated access to end-markets for our unique recovered carbon black and tyre-derived fuel oil used to improve the safety and sustainability of roads across Australia.  NTRO has been a significant supporter for the need of greater sustainable materials used within the industry and we are privileged to partner with them,” said David Wheeling, CEO of Entyr Limited.

“Both organisations are committed to ensuring that the industry moves forward with appropriate certification processes and continue to develop standards for incorporation into practice. This is a natural partnership that will leverage NTRO’s expertise and our patented technology to further trial opportunities and connect key stakeholders,” said Mr Wheeley.

NTRO is owned by Australia’s transport agencies and undertakes scientific research and develops standards, specifications and best practice guides for Australia and New Zealand’s roads, rails, ports, and airports.  

The industry body has been operating for 60 years delivers multi-modal transport solutions to assist the sector in adopting new technologies and material to address generational issues, including sustainability.  

Entyr Limited is a pioneering Australian company leading the world in solving the global waste tyre problem and delivering a complete circular solution for end-of-life tyres through an internationally patented thermal process producing high quality recovered carbon black, tyre-derived fuel oil, steel and gas for manufacturing.

Entyr is the first Australian company to receive environmental approval for the thermal treatment of rubber holding patents in Australia, and the USA, with a patent pending in Europe.

Entyr’s research-led and evidence-based processing methods recover almost 100% of the raw material while operating below Australian and international regulatory limits for emissions.  

“Having tested and worked with Entyr products for two years now, it is feasible that multiple applications exist outside of asphalt markets.   

NTRO’s role is to maximise the recovered carbon black’s value through research and innovation for the benefit of Australian and New Zealand Transport Agencies and for commercial use,” said Mr Davcev.

Ecolomondo Progresses Towards Full Production

Ewan Scott
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Ecolomondo Progresses Towards Full Production

Ecolomondo, the Canadian tyre processor, has been making steady progress with its Thermal Decomposition technology

Ecolomondo Corporation has announced that it has performed another production cycle with a full reactor payload with its second reactor, continuing steadily on the path towards commercial operations of its Hawkesbury TDP facility.

The Hawkesbury TDP facility started commercial testing of its reactors in January 2023 and gradually increased reactor payloads to the optimal level of 15,000 lbs per production cycle. The technical teams continuously worked on corrective improvements to ensure safety and achieve optimal efficiency.

The Company recently announced a successful production cycle with Reactor 1 of 15,000 lbs, and on June 23, 2023, the Company completed another production cycle with a similar payload using Reactor 2.

This production cycle using Reactor 2 was also achieved with great success and within the timeline planned for the commercial operations. The improvements executed by the technical teams and the testing performed since January 2023 confirm the robust nature of the reactors and the efficiency of Ecolomondo’s proprietary TDP technology.

This important step should allow the Company to increase the frequency of production cycles, gradually ramping up to full production.

Larger batch volumes have brought to light certain deficiencies in the load and unloading equipment supplied to Ecolomondo by one of its suppliers. Corrective measures are currently under way, and the Company reports that it has already made considerable progress in both areas.

While management is very optimistic about its ramp-up testing results so far, it cautions that further ramp-up testing may bring to light other issues that may require adjustments.

Michigan Environment Shows a Different Roadbuilding Technique with Tyres

Ewan Scott
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Michigan Environment Shows a Different Roadbuilding Technique with Tyres

The latest article from Michigan Environment highlights an Ingham County road construction project using scrap tyres.

The road construction crew call it ‘road lasagna’ – roads that are made with scrap tyres and other construction materials that are layered like sheets of pasta in the Italian dish. The construction method has been used for many years using different construction materials, but using scrap tyres in the layers is getting more common in Michigan thanks to grants from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE).

 In 2021, EGLE awarded an $80,000 match grant to Ingham County to build some 325 linear feet of road on top of a scrap tyre base near Onondaga.

That section of Belleview Road in Ingham County is in a wet area and had been sinking. It was rebuilt using the “road lasagna” stacking method. It is now complete and showing positive results, says Kirsten Clemens, EGLE’s scrap tyre coordinator.

“The project involved the crew removing over 30 inches of old asphalt from that segment of road,” noted Clemens. “Previous ‘fixes’ were to add a layer of asphalt when the road got low, which just caused it to sink faster.”

Describing the construction in 2022, Clemens noted: “The scrap truck tyre ‘rings’ were prepared with the sidewalls cut out. They were placed touching in two rows in the bottom of the trench and filled with aggregate. A layer of aggregate is put over top, then a layer of tyre derived aggregate (TDA) and a layer of geotextile fabric. This process was repeated three times, and the surface was prepared and paved.”

In all, the project used approximately 30,000 scrap tyres.

Other Michigan roads projects using scrap tyres in tyre derived aggregate (TDA) construction projects include Eastman Road in Midland County and an upcoming project with the Ingham County Road Commission.

EGLE’s scrap tyre programme is responsible for overseeing the handling of scrap tyres generated in Michigan, cleaning up existing scrap tyre piles of 500 or more tyres, and expanding the reuse and recycling of scrap tyres.

Source: Michigan Environment

Czechs Promote “No-Brainer” on VAT Reduction

Ewan Scott
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Czechs Promote “No-Brainer” on VAT Reduction

EuRIC supports a Czech proposal to reduce VAT on goods containing recycled materials

One of the long-standing arguments that recyclers have discussed is the question about how governments could help with recycling. Tyre and Rubber Recycling has often questioned the lack of a “Greenhouse Environment” for recycled goods.

As we know, whilst recycling materials is good for the environment, it does not always equate to recycled goods being cheaper.  The consumer being what he/she is, if faced with buying new from virgin materials, or new from recycled materials where the goods with recycled content are more expensive, the consumer will normally buy cheaper new from virgin materials.

Governments could assist here by reducing the VAT level on goods with a recycled content – though the recylate inclusion would have to be at a specified level before a VAT reduction were awarded.

The UK, could have given its recycling sector a boost when it left the EU by unilaterally adjusting VAT on goods with a high recycled content but so far, it has done nothing to encourage the domestic recycling sector.

However, the Czech government has put a proposal to the European Union that there should be a reduction in VAT on goods with a recycled content.

EuRIC reiterated its strong support for economic incentives as a powerful tool for the transition to a circular and climate-neutral economy. Fiscal instruments are no exception. Accordingly, EuRIC warmly welcomes the proposal made by the Czech Republic to the Council to explore lower VAT rates for products made of recycled materials and recyclates.

Replacing extracted raw materials with recycled materials brings significant and well-documented environmental benefits, both in terms of resource efficiency and climate and energy savings. These environmental benefits are not internalised in prices, although they are often the most important factor in consumers’ choices and public procurement. Therefore, fiscal incentives in the form of lower VAT rates have a major role to play in better rewarding environmental benefits and in stimulating sustainable consumers’ choices by increasing the price competitiveness of sustainable products.

“It is fundamental to consider fiscal incentives as key enablers for the transition to a more circular and climate-neutral economy,” said Emmanuel Katrakis, Secretary General of EuRIC. “The Czech Republic’s formal request to the Council to examine the possibility of reducing the VAT rate on products using recycled materials is a first very positive step. Indeed, it is necessary to ensure that tax rules at EU and national level are in line with the objectives of the Green Deal, which is often not the case”.

EuRIC looks forward to working with the Spanish Presidency of the Council, Member States, and EU institutions to introduce reduced VAT rates for products with recycled content, which will undoubtedly stimulate recycling and complement the regulatory measures introduced for different waste streams.

Waverly Carbon Achieves ISO 9001 and 14001 Certifications

Ewan Scott
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Waverly Carbon Achieves ISO 9001 and 14001 Certifications

Waverly Carbon, the UK’s first and only producer of recycled or recovered carbon black,has achieved ISO certification for its quality and environmental management systems

Upon receiving confirmation that the organisation’s management systems met the auditing criteria for both ISO 9001 and 14001, Co-Founder Daniel Turner said; “We’re really proud to have our systems for both quality and environmental management certified in line with ISO 9001 and 14001.

“At Waverly Carbon we have always strived to deliver the best product, made from the best feedstock, for the best price, so that our customers can be confident that our rCB is consistent, reliable and the perfect sustainable alternative to traditional carbon black. Having the stringent processes and quality controls that make up our management systems formally certified gives our customers and suppliers another reason to choose Waverly Carbon.”

Waverly Carbon does not carry out the pyrolysis but offers a service to refine and bring rcb up to market specifications.

Waverly Carbon Compliance Manager Elena King said; “It has always been our goal to operate at the highest standards, and now our customers and suppliers have the added confidence of knowing that the Waverly Carbon management systems are externally certified.

“We are continuously improving to ensure our management systems support our stringent operations – from the selection of our suppliers, to the reliability of our production process, customers have the reassurance of knowing we’re regularly audited by the ISO certification authority which helps us to continue to exceed expectations.”

Waverly Carbon is the UK’s first and only producer of rCB since it was founded in 2020. Operating from its cutting-edge plant in Melton Mowbray, Waverly Carbon produces rCB from pyrolysed tyre char in both powder and pellet form, offering manufacturers in the plastics, rubber and coatings industries a sustainable alternative to traditional carbon black. Its highest quality Emerald Grades can be used as a replacement or partial replacement (with high percentage substitution) for grades like carbon black N550 or total replacements for the N600, N700 and N900 series.

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