ETRMA: almost all European tyres are recycled

EU – The positive trend in Europe’s management of used tyres continued in 2010 with a recovery rate of 96%, according to the European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers’ Association (ETRMA).

Around 3.3 million tonnes of used tyres were managed in an environmentally sound manner, representing a 2% increase in arisings when compared to 2009.
After sorting of tyres destined for reuse or retreading, an estimated 2.7 million tonnes of end-of-life tyres (ELTs) remained to be treated and were directed into a variety of recycling applications, public works and civil engineering, or were used as a fuel substitute in cement kilns, boilers and power plants. Last year produced a significant trend shift in that material recovery from tyres increased 10% whereas energy recovery dropped 3%; overall, this means that 1.3 million tonnes of ELTs went to material recovery and 1.2 million tonnes to energy recovery.
The use of tyre rubber granulate and powder is the main material recovery route (80%), followed by civil engineering applications and public works (18%), dock fenders, blasting mats, and steel mills and foundries. As regards energy recovery, the main user of ELT shred or whole tyres remains the cement industry – equivalent to 92% in volume terms.
Set up by tyre manufacturers, there are 14 ELT management organisations operating throughout Europe under the producer responsibility principle. These are mandated to collect and organise the treatment of an equivalent weight (according to the principle of one new tyre sold for one worn tyre recovered) of the replacement tyres sold collectively by these organisations’ members.