ETRMA, the European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers’ Association, has consolidated data on the management of End of Life Tyres (ELTs) for 2019 covering 32 countries (EU27, Norway, Serbia, Switzerland, Turkey and UK). 94 per cent of ELTs in the 32 countries were collected and treated for material recycling and energy recovery. This situation is quite comparable to the previous years with ELT treatment rates fluctuating between 92 and 95 per cent. The European tyre industry is committed to an innovative and sustainable economy. ELTs are collected and their treatment is organised across European countries, the vast majority operating under EPR. Secondary raw materials from ELTs are important resources for industries such as construction, automotive and cement.
ETRMA Publishes Recycling Figures
Tyre and Rubber Recycling expects that there may be some disagreement within the industry about the detail of these statistics. Not least for the 100% treatment claims being made. However, a look at some of the larger markets hints at some anomalies, possibly arising through differences in accounting practices.
| Tyre Arisings Comparison | ||||
| Population | Passenger car parc | Truck Fleet | Arisings | |
| Germany | 83.784m | 3.436m | 349,000 | 434,000t |
| UK | 67.886m | 2.342m | 336,942 | 452,659t |
| France | 65.274m | 2.138m | 449,903 | 320,018t |
| Netherlands | 17.135m | .414m | 71,502 | 87,746t |
We can see that the UK with a considerably lower population than Germany, and lower vehicle fleets, has the highest tyre arisings in Europe. In passenger car vehicles alone, Germany has more than a million more vehicles than the UK. It does not seem to make sense that Germany has lower tyre arisings than the UK. On these points alone, there will be questions raised. ( Link to ETRMA)
On the ELT recovery side of things, the statistics all look very good, with the glaring omission of any statement about the volumes of arisings that are exported. Tyre and Rubber Recycling refers back to our interview with Michelin’s Michel Cogne about the Blackcycle project, where he is quoted as saying that Michelin wants to deal with the 50 per cent of tyres not recycled in Europe.
That notwithstanding, the detailed analysis of the data shows that, compared to the previous year, the arising of ELTs in Europe (3,45Mt) in 2019 decreased by about 3 per cent to the previous year. About 1,88 million tonnes of ELTs were treated through material recovery. This figure includes 1,34 million tonnes, sent to granulation process; 458.000 tonnes of ELTs were incorporated in cement, resulting from the co-processing; 82.300 tonnes were used in civil engineering applications. Some other minor applications in processes such as pyrolysis, steel mills and foundries, and other uses complete this figure. The management of ELTs in 2019 is completed with a 1,37 Mt of tyres that went through energy recovery. The quantity of ELTs, stocked or unknown, and waiting for treatment, is half compared to the previous year’s figures, amounting to 170.000 t.
That notwithstanding, the detailed analysis of the data shows that, compared to the previous year, the arising of ELTs in Europe (3,45Mt) in 2019 decreased by about 3 per cent to the previous year. About 1,88 million tonnes of ELTs were treated through material recovery. This figure includes 1,34 million tonnes, sent to granulation process; 458.000 tonnes of ELTs were incorporated in cement, resulting from the co-processing; 82.300 tonnes were used in civil engineering applications. Some other minor applications in processes such as pyrolysis, steel mills and foundries, and other uses complete this figure. The management of ELTs in 2019 is completed with a 1,37 Mt of tyres that went through energy recovery. The quantity of ELTs, stocked or unknown, and waiting for treatment, is half compared to the previous year’s figures, amounting to 170.000 t.
