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End-of-life tyres, the second life of recycled rubber between circular economy and new uses

The collection volume of car, lorry and agricultural wheels is growing. About 350,000 tonnes are recovered in one year

by Davide Madeddu (Il Sole 24 Ore), Petr Jedlička (Denik Referendum, Czech Republic), Ana Somavilla (El Confidencial, Spain) and Ieva Kniukštienė (Delphi, Lithuania)

13 April 2025

5' min read

The second life of end-of-life tyres passes through new initiatives ranging from asphalt to insulation products, from gymnasium tiles to rubber barriers placed over guard rails. It is the circular economy applied to the reuse of rubber from end-of-life tyres. Materials that do not become waste but are transformed into new raw material, after a series of steps ranging from washing to shredding and then further processing. In Italy, the collection of end-of-life tyres is growing, and every year the assigned collection target is exceeded.

According to a study carried out by the Ecopneus consortium, "every year about 350,000 tonnes of tyres reach the end of their life from replacement on vehicles in circulation". In addition, "an estimated 30 million car tyres, 2 million truck tyres, 3 million two-wheel tyres, and over 300,000 industrial and agricultural tyres are disposed of annually". The latter represent only 0.9 per cent in quantity, but more than 4 per cent in weight, due to their large size.

Avoiding the emission of 297 thousand tonnes of CO2

As far as 2024 is concerned, Ecopneus managed over 168 thousand tonnes of Pfu, responding to 45 thousand collection requests and exceeding the statutory collection target by 10%. In terms of environmental benefits, thanks to Ecopneus's recovery and recycling activity, in 2023 the emission of 297 thousand tonnes of CO2 equivalent (tCO2eq) was avoided, a quantity equal to those of 183 thousand cars that travel 10,000 km in a year, 1.2 million m3 of life cycle water was saved, a volume equivalent to the average daily consumption of about 5.6 million Italians or the amount of water needed to fill 484 Olympic swimming pools. In addition, a net saving of 274,000 tonnes of mineral and fossil resources was generated, an amount equal to the weight of 558 Frecciarossa 1000 trains consisting of eight carriages plus locomotive.

Cutting imports and saving EUR 81 million

Benefits to which must be added the savings for the country linked to the reduction in imports of virgin material, to the value of 81 million euros," the Ecopneus Consortium reports. Benefits that, added together, also generate a significant contribution in economic terms: last year, Ecopneus' activities generated an economic value of 44.4 million euros, of which as much as 40.5 million served to remunerate the companies in the supply chain for recovery, collection, transport and treatment operations. The remaining 12% represents the Consortium's internal management costs (communication, employee salaries, taxes and other costs), which in 2023 will amount to EUR 5.3 million'.

The insulation for music rooms

Then there are the other uses for the rubber that comes from end-of-life and discarded tyres. One of the latest initiatives concerns the use for lining music halls and auditoriums. Recycled rubber from end-of-life tyres is emerging as a solution that combines excellent performance and sustainability. Thanks to its extraordinary sound absorbing and soundproofing capacity, this material significantly improves the acoustic experience, creating ideal environments not only for music but for different architectural contexts.

The Clean Industrial Deal

"We positively welcome the Clean Industrial Deal presented by the European Commission, whose emphasis on decarbonisation and circularity as pillars of economic policy is an important signal in favour of sustainability," announces Giuseppina Carmineo, Ecopneus' general director. "The measures envisaged by the Clean Industrial Deal, such as the Circular Economy Act, represent an opportunity also for the Pru recycling chain. In particular, the measures foreseen, such as the harmonisation of the 'end-of-waste' discipline and the strengthening of extended producer responsibility, are fundamental to incentivise the use of recycled materials, as well as to ensure increasingly efficient waste management'. Not only that, for the director, the agreement also highlights how "enhancing the circular economy is crucial not only to reduce the carbon footprint, but also to decrease the EU's dependence on imported raw materials. In this scenario, the End-of-Life Tyre recycling chain is a concrete example of a circular economy with growth potential'. On the horizon is the approval of measures "to give the contribution and commitment of the national system that framework and those fundamental tools for a circular economy of Pfu supported by the recycled rubber market and its multiple uses. A prospect that also benefits the supply chain of Italian companies in the sector, increasingly affirming the green and circular economy as a strategic prospect for the future of the country and Europe'.

The Lithuanian case

Every year, approximately 30 thousand tonnes of end-of-life tyres are collected and recycled in Lithuania. Ekobazė is one of the main operators in the sector: the company handles an average of 19 thousand tonnes per year and in 2024 increased its volumes by 25% compared to the previous year. The available plant capacities allow processing up to 30 thousand tonnes per year, which indicates further room for growth.

Although demand for these materials is growing, the market remains dynamic and competitive, with competition from suppliers from China and neighbouring countries. Moreover, the marketing of finished products is highly dependent on economic trends and the construction sector. However, the increasing focus on the circular economy and sustainability is helping to enhance the sector.

In Lithuania in particular, tyre recycling products are gaining ground: in 2024, sales increased by 113% and production increased tenfold by 2020.

Spain

In Spain, the management of end-of-life tyres is regulated by Royal Decree 731/2020, which amends the previous 1619/2005, transposing European Directive 2008/98/EC. The latter imposes a hierarchy in waste management: prevention, reuse, recycling and recovery. Producers are subject to extended responsibility: they must set up a prevention plan and ensure the take-back and management of a quantity of tyres equivalent to that placed on the market.

Since 2006, legislation prohibits the landfilling of tyres and requires the creation of integrated management systems (IMSs) financed by an eco-contribution applied to the purchase of new tyres. Among these, SIGNUS is the main operator: a non-profit organisation formed by the main manufacturers active in the area. SIGNUS takes care of the free collection of NFUs, their valorisation and the reuse of materials.

In 2022 SIGNUS handled more than 200,000 tonnes of tyres: 12 per cent were reused as used or retreaded, 48 per cent turned into secondary raw materials, and the remaining 40 per cent went to energy recovery.

Despite the progress, "there are still not enough initiatives to dispose of all used tyres," said Gabriel Leal Serrano, Director General of SIGNUS. Yet the potential is manifold: from tennis courts and playgrounds to use as an alternative fuel in cement works. Rubber granules are also used in sound-absorbing asphalt, anti-trauma flooring, insulation panels and even in sneakers.

The Czech Republic

In the Czech Republic, tyre production is traditionally associated with Barum, a company based in Otrokovice that is now a subsidiary of the German Continental AG group. Since 2019, the South Korean Nexen has also opened a plant near Žatec.

The management of end-of-life tyres is entrusted to ELTMA, a non-profit collective system created in 2016 by manufacturers and importers. Since 2018, citizens can leave their used tyres directly at garages and tyre dealers, where they are then collected by ELTMA. This custom is now well-established, especially at seasonal tyre changes. Previously, NFUs were taken to municipal collection centres, a practice that is becoming less and less frequent today.

In the Czech Republic, tyres are not classified as municipal waste and therefore cannot be disposed of in dumpsters. The ELTMA system manages to officially collect 89% of the tyres placed on the market by participating manufacturers.

*This article is part of the European collaborative journalism project 'Pulse'.