Innovative solutions & market perspectives for the enhancement of rubber waste and scraps – case study: Rubber Conversion
18 May 2021
ECOMONDO Digital Green Weeks, organized by UNIRIGOM and FISE UNICIRCULAR, gathered relevant business, institutional and representatives of ministries to discuss market scenarios and development perspectives of waste and rubber scraps valorization in a circular perspective.
Italy is characterized by distinctive technological capabilities that can help the transition. Nevertheless, tyres and automotive component applications, which represent overall about 75% of the rubber demand at the European level, makes very little or no use of reprocessed rubber feedstock, mainly for technical issues. Reclaimed rubber from End-of-Life Tyres (ELT) recyclates and grounded rubber production waste are used at very low concentrations (3%-5%) for the manufacturing of tyres. The increasing cost of raw materials and the environmental issues related to their consumption, could push the material recycling rate of rubber waste, turning derived rubber materials into valuable substitutes of virgin polymers in the production of rubber. Thus, while reducing raw material costs, decreasing CO2 and improving carbon and material footprint, material recycling and upcycling is helping mindful companies to improve their product sustainability and profitability through its ecologically sound products and innovative principles.
On behalf of Rubber Conversion, one of our partners, Mr. Francesco Di Pierro shared his view on the most significant challenges for the rubber industry.
