Industry

Environment, recycling of end-of-life tyres saves CO2 emissions and new raw materials

Ecopenus consortium sustainability report: 187 thousand tonnes recovered, 297 thousand tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions avoided

by Davide Madeddu

2 July 2024

3' min read

Key points

Recoved 187 thousand tonnes
Economic value for 44 million
Avoid 297 thousand tonnes of CO2
Year to be replicated
Extra target
From insulation to energy
Constant commitment

3' min read

From end-of-life tyres new raw material and a contribution to decarbonisation, both in terms of emissions and in terms of saving water and raw materials. Representing this scenario is the 2023 sustainability report approved by Ecopneus, the consortium that deals with the collection, recycling of end-of-life tyres from which raw material for new products is obtained.

187 thousand tonnes recovered

Starting point, collection: in 2023 the consortium, through its network of 20,000 tyre dealers, handled 65,000 requests, recovering 187,000 tonnes of end-of-life tyres. End-of-life tyres that, instead of being disposed of, were transformed into new raw material.

Economic value of 44 million

"The work carried out by Ecopneus generated an economic value of EUR 44.4 million in 2023," reads the report, "of which as much as EUR 40.5 million was used to remunerate the companies in the chain for recovery, collection, transport and treatment operations. Not only that, recycling is closely linked to environmental benefits.

Avoid 297 thousand tonnes of CO2

"In 2023, the emission of 297 thousand tonnes of CO2 equivalent has been avoided, an amount equal to that of 183 thousand cars travelling 10 thousand kilometres in a year," it goes on to say. "1.2 million cubic metres of water have been 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. Also linked is the savings related to the reduction of virgin material imports: the estimate, according to the consortium, is 81 million euros.

"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.

Year to be replicated

"2023 has been a challenging year for collection, but the results obtained confirm the tireless commitment with which Ecopneus continues to work to ensure efficient management of End-of-Life Tyres in our country, with punctual and capillary interventions throughout the country - comments Giuseppina Carnimeo, general manager -. We are aware of the challenges and the complexity of our sector, but we will continue to work according to the principles of responsibility and quality that have guided us so far to ensure an ethical and transparent service, guaranteeing efficient and effective collection throughout the country and providing concrete support to the circular economy of recycled rubber".

Extra target

The collection put in place, as the report points out, also made it possible to achieve the extra target of +12%.

"corresponding to 19,314 tonnes collected in excess of the legal obligation'. Not only that, to these figures must be added a collection quota of End-of-Life Tyres "resulting from extraordinary activities carried out by Ecopneus within the framework of the Protocol for collection in the 'Terra dei Fuochi', signed in 2013 to deal with the phenomenon of arson of waste in Campania, and equal to 362 tonnes in 2023".

From insulation to energy

As for the use of the collected rubber, out of the 187.818 thousand tonnes collected in all regions, 50.1% was sent for material recovery, with 50% destined for the production of materials for sports and leisure activities, 20% and 13% respectively for the production of insulation materials for the building industry and manufactured goods for industry, and 17% used for the production of steel-foam, compounds and low-noise asphalts. The remaining 49.9% of collected ELTs were also used for energy recovery.

Constant commitment

For Alessandro Marchisio, president of the consortium, "the activities represent a natural extension of the responsibility that each member company has for its own activities, from tyre production to end-of-life management. This commitment, today more than ever, is strategic and fundamental, fitting into the perspective of a circular and green economy, objectives on which the future of the national economic system is also based".