ANALYSIS OF ELT 1

Summarized Analysis of Diverse Aspects of ELT

Name

University
ANALYSIS OF ELT 2

1. Analysis of ELT Markets

There are three categories used to explain the diverse ways ELT can be recovered; these are

material recovery; energy recovery and civil engineering and backfilling. For the latter tires can

be used as water retention basins in civil engineering, as tire-derived aggregates for road

construction and also as backfilling. China, US, India and Europe are the countries that recover

ELT volumes in large amounts worldwide (figure below) For Europe, data collected in this study

indicated the cumulative amount of ELT recovered in the 13 countries (figure below). European

region amounted to approximately 25.7 and 26.1 million tons per year, with the latter accounting

for civil engineering and backfilling as the recovery root. 29.1 million tons was the overall

amount of ELT estimated to be generated amongst these countries. It is vital importance that the

ELT recovered per year in terms of numbers be put into an outlook which accounts for the

amount of generated ELT, this is because the recovery rate till date is seen as the best indicator

in the analysis of the performance of region-based ELT markets. This particular study focused on

two different recovery rates that were calculated based on the consideration of civil engineering

and backfilling as a recovery route or amount non-equivalent to landfill disposal( in recovery

rates not considered as the former). The distinction was imperative as considering tow ELT end-

markets as a material recovery means remains debatable.

India, China and Brazil have the highest recovery rates amongst countries accounted for in this

study. The latter, having an EPR system, has seen a continual increase in recovery rates that have

been seen to approach targets by means cement kilns delivery and granulators. Two-thirds of

recovery occurs in informal markets for India (artisanal products, fishing boats, rooftop swings)

and China, with the latter outweighing all other countries from reclaimed rubber technologies.

With increasing numbers of the growing middle class, the recovery rates are postulated to see a
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declination possibly. For Europe, materials, energy and civil engineering in 2017 were 1.9, 1.2

and 0.1 million tons respectively at 92%. Governmental regulations per country are vital for ELT

recycling worldwide as they are their driving force. Such laws when enacted address illegal

dumping and ELT importation; historical stockpiles that affect the public health sector and ELT

collection related and non-functioning processing systems to address sanitization; all for

environmental and human protection.

Figure 1 and 2, page 12 and 13.

2. Recovery methods

Recovery products’ demand at a given time has for long been directly related to the rate of

growth and viability amongst diverse recovery markets. For instance, Tire Derived Fuel is

considered to be the most volatile, and when traditional fuels prices are low, the demand for TDF

will alternatively be weaker. Recovery requires limited processing and treatment; which embody

how energy recovery occurs. In examining ELTs in the market amongst different nations, diverse

findings have been reiterated. For instance, Brazil has been seen to have high rates, this being

dependent on consumption by the cement industry; in South Korea, there is a limit of ELT

portions sent for the purpose of energy recovery they are set up to 70% and the material recovery

is less than a quarter of ELT recovered. For USA energy recovery makes up half of the ELT

market (especially in cement kilns and pulp and paper industries); moreover a quarter of ELT

generated therein becomes rubber granulate (usually costly, e.g. in initial capital expenditure)

that has diverse application, e.g. in sports facilities, asphalt amongst others. Material recovery, in

particular, is prioritized in the state of California. Indeed the development of secondary and end-

use industries for the absorption of ELT products is imperative. In Europe material recovered
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takes precedence over energy recovery; hence it is at 40%, making up close to half of the

recovered ELT; policies set up in Russia directs ELT to material recovery over energy recovery

as the latter is not eligible to meet management targets’ ELT. Japan is unique as its policies

encourage the use of TDF as elucidated in the country's energy policy (exempting reduction and

objectives), ELT thus mostly becomes TDF in paper manufacturing boiler industries. Reclaim

rubber production is predominant in the Asian continent. Whereas recovery methods in pyrolysis

and gasification are consequential in Indonesia, Japan and Thailand, US has just developed pilot

plant, contrastingly US has seen significant growth of application of ELT in civil engineering

and backfilling (10% of ELT marker over the past decade). Even with the success of these two

types of recovery methods, challenges in the area of commercialization of products and

operational risk exist and indeed must be addressed.

3. Regulations

Government intervention can be limited to the formation of an ELT stakeholder's organization or

can be interventionist in its financial and technological capacity development within the sector.

Either way, it is of crucial importance to properly develop the ELT recycling industry. Financial

support plays a vital role in ELT management systems as it is a factor that enables increased

competitiveness of industry for it to achieve high recovery rates. Three major systems have been

identified within the scope of this study; these are the EPR system (standard in European

countries); the free market system (Denmark, Croatia and Slovakia) and government

responsibility financed through tax (adopted by many countries spread out globally). The unique

factors in these three types of system are accounted in the differences that arise on the

responsible actors, governors, findings and key features (table 2, pg 15). Tire manufacturers form

organizations within the ELT, and the common feature that exists between an EPR and free
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market system is that legal regulations are present. They are the basis through which their

activities are guided. Whereas the fees usage may vary through the different systems in place, the

eco-fees and fees charged on the consumers and manufactures are used in ensuring CSR and

further advancing the development of the system in place, through its divided sectors. A long

term vision of this industry is to discover new or existing markets for recycling ELT to prioritize

high-value products and encourage industrial sufficient through revenue returns. Stockpiling is

common due to low environmental awareness, burning of ELT and its commercialization in the

black market has also been seen as an emerging problem; this can be addressed by policymakers

who should make the general public aware and implement favourable policy based on the same.

Developing countries (lack technology, expertise, recycling capabilities), they should emulate

the more experienced actors from developed countries to gain success status in the ELT market.

4. Best practices

There is no one specific way or approach that can be taken up to fit an ELT management system

that is well functioning correctly. Each country or even continents have unique management

systems. Take, for instance, Europe their systems include: free market, tax-based and EPR

systems, as such recovery rates therein are high. The primary indicator of how successful a

system performs is always the recovery rate, this related to the total ELT produced. Hence to

identify best practices a focus on countries having high recovery rates is necessary, some of the

contributing elements to best practices include Trade associations which ensure the success of

ELT, evidence has shown that significant associations mandated to manage ELT as cooperative

organizations (E.g. Reciclanip in Brazil and EcoTyresUnion in Russia) has shown continual

success. Another best practice involves the use of government and non-government agencies,

which will take up responsibilities of managing solid waste or possibly ELT. This EPR system
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has been adopted in Brazil and South Korea, where government agencies, namely IBAMA and

the Ministry of Environment, respectively.

In contrast, their guidelines, rules and frameworks may differ and have independent uniqueness;

their primary goals remain to increase both the amount and degree in terms of product recovery

and minimize to the very least the impact of waste to the environment by coming up with

legislative policies. Of importance to note is that different countries that have adopted EPR

systems have their unique ways of mandatory recovery quantities. Tax based systems are also

prevalent in countries like South Korea, Brazil, and South Africa through charging fees based on

particular criteria(e.g. importation) or employing punitive fines amongst other ways. This is

advantageous as the cumulative funds are used for R&D, used as start-ups to fund and promote

recovery and assist in developing secondary industry (South Africa). Free markets are present in

countries like US, UK and Japan and with individual policies in place waste regulations and

provision of high recovery rates are given priority. Government intervention is allowed in free-

market systems as seen in countries like the US, where grants and funds are provided to aid in

recovery; EPR systems also have funding schemes (Brazil). Informal markets of India and

Indonesia have shown high recovery rates owing to the many numbers of treatment facilities and

independent collectors.

With the advantage of the EPR system, countries like Thailand, Nigeria, Mexico and Nigeria that

have low recovery rates have expressed interest in shifting to this system from the free market

system they had adopted. Ireland recently adopted this change in 2017 and South Korea, is well

on its way to this once its markets become established. To have a successful ELT management

system hubs will need to be set between the collection, processing and the organization of
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delivery in direct relation to processing if the distance is proximal; this will ensure success to

free-market countries in the management systems.

5.) Environmental impact

Numerous studies done in the past regarding ELT granulate has aimed to shed light mostly on

how human health is at risk from the exposure on article sports fields, specifically for those in

the USA and European countries. Other individual studies have, however, researched different

methods of recovery in other parts of the world. Additionally, innumerable studies related to

using of granulate in turf fields have been done. Due to the multiple variables in play and narrow

scope, there has been uncertainty concerning the potential impacts; no consensus has been

decided upon regarding this.

Some of these studies include those done by ECHA, in February 2017 and that conducted by the

French research institution (ANSES) in September 2018 on the risk of exposure to granulate in

synthetic turf sports fields and rubber infill which both concluded that the levels of exposure to

granulate separately was low thus inherently negligible to human health. However, the latter

found that environmental risk was present through zinc and phenol transfer and advised for

additional measures to be done in evaluating methodologies and risk assessment. To reduce the

risk of impacting human health; ECHAs' risk assessment and socio-economic analyses

committee adopted and drafted opinions which were in support of a restriction proposal of not

placing granules and mulches in Netherland markets, only if the sum of polycyclic aromatic

hydrocarbons were calculated and gotten to be greater than 20mg/K.

ETRMA in 2016 released a statement on the safety of rubber infill material that is recycled.

Rubber components that would possibly come to contact with the general public were regulated
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under EU restrictions. From the 70 scientific articles published at the time the association

conclusively stated that there were no scientific or other significant risks that were associated

with using rubber granules derived from end of life tires. Additional studies by IRCC found that

restrictions covered by REACH regulations were at lower limit levels than that for the general

public. ETRMA with the involvement of ERASSTRI that has 28 partners from 14 European

countries came together under REACH to conduct studies on use ELT derived materials and

applications therein possible health effects and concerns to human health, these findings are yet

to be published halfway through 2020.

6.) Technologies

Several trends in this field of research have been observed, and some are specific to different

countries, especially in the area of advanced ELT technologies and innovation. Material recovery

based research project is the main one identified in this. Many research institutes and projects

have put a major focus on pyrolysis development (USA, Russia, China, South Africa) as a

recovery method and the products they generate. Regulation wise a significant content of

pyrolysis derived products are classified as TDF, hence waste management policies apply here.

There is no regulation in informal sectors where recovery routes are common, and grants are also

provided to further R&D of innovative substances. IP protection also limits competition in

innovation done in this field. In terms of technical feasibility, more trials and plant projects have

been set up in different parts of the globe to go commercial; eventually, R&D on high-quality

carbon and output products significant in both pre and post-processing procedures are required.

Whereas efficient technology of producing high output is not far-reaching, the steps above will

help it be more widespread, e.g. in oil production as TDF in parts of Asia. Products of pyrolysis

(low added value, high production cost) have the potential for applications in a variety of
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applications. Still, their economic viability is relatively low due to competition with traditional

materials already in the market. Unsatisfactory standards of widespread informal operations and

large scale use of technology that is less advanced, its sustainable performance is low. As such,

using advanced technology such as high- quality oil; accelerated pyrolysis forms; low emission

pyrolysis and carbon black will ensure its sustainability. The capacity of ELT granulate to

absorb substance in wastewater and oil from spills is another technology researched upon in

countries like Nigeria, USA, Thailand, Brazil amongst others; at different ways and capacities.

Several policy measures consider priority recovery rate over energy recovery and general

guidelines have been set up to promote application deemed to be high in potential. The

granulation process is well set up, but some of its application is a challenge in terms of technical

difficulties due to advanced technology. Barriers such as insufficient funds to invest in high

volumes and quality technology in ELT systems prevents small companies from thriving in some

countries. Advanced treatment and processing stages mean that granulation and applications

therein need more investment; whereas markets of granulation application had fallen in the

recent years, innovative technologies have enabled opening up of new markets for the products

in this line. Regarding sustainability considerations, it is considered as material recovery, and

thus its hierarchical placement is high in waste management systems; its predominantly well

perceived by the public domain, save from Artificial tuff which was thought to have health and

environment ; effects, but this notion was dispelled after through scientific research studies. For

cement production and other energy recovery technologies, indirect policies have been set up to

promote TDF use; however, the policy that promotes material recovery is the norm; hence

regulation policies may not be favoured in this context. Large corporations require permit

procedures, but once this hurdle is tackled, it is easy for long term feasibility to be in place. This
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technology is technically feasible as power plants, and cement kilns have the capacity to treat

ELT stockpiles in the long term; power plants, however, prefer shredded tires to whole tires due

to enhanced facility dosage. ELT materials are considered to have relative stability, although

more improvements are needed. Economically, there are factors that influence the use of ELT in

cement kilns; these include: gate fees ( gives a positive overall outlook) and high pricing of

traditional fuels. Even with the competition they face from alternative fuels, their high calorific

value gives them a competitive edge in the market. Improved infrastructure through investment

and adaptation is however required. With regards to sustainability, industries have shown the

capability of being able to switch from fossil fuel to ELT, to aid in reduction of GHG and other

emitted pollutants; use of TDF has also aided in the reduction of harmful emissions and enabled

compliance with environmental regulations. Crucial to note is the negative perception people

have had, especially in regions having well-established ELT management systems. Cement kiln

shows exception over other recovery routes however and has had aided in the reduction of CO 2,

which beneficial to the environment.

7.) Comparison in ELT management between China, Europe, and USA summary

ELT MNGT CHINA EUROPE USA

DETAILS

Legal system No structured Various systems ELT are regulated per

management system, present based on states, state through federal
possibly policy EPR systems, free program, Subsidies
development from markets & government and potential grants
environmental responsibility financed available for ELT
considerations through taxation

Legislation/Policy None save from Ireland shifting from a No policy change, no

change(from 2016) environmental free market to EPR shift expected at a
restrictions by the national level
government to curb
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non-compliance

Main ELT mngt org. CTRA &CRIA ETRMA at EU level, USTMA, representing
physical systems per tire manufactures
state

Main ELT recovery Material recovery Rubber, granulates and 39% ELT for energy
methods, products majorly, with powder at 43% recovery, 33.2 to
&application(% of granulation and material recovery;
total ELT) reclaimed rubber as with granulation as
main recovery routes; the main route of
ELT considered a Cement Kiln at 38% recovery, 8% towards
resource civil engineering

Health& Env.Impact Pyrolysis air pollution Research by ANSES, Inconclusive results

awareness; the ECHA & EU chemical on the impact of
perceived potential agencies gave an synthetic turf,
risk of rubber powder overview of impact especially to human
discussions health & environmental health over the past
from exposure 15 years).

Tech Innovations Low emission Project on efficient A focus on material

pyrolysis used in pyrolysis, ELT usage in and energy e.g
construction asphalt, low noise micronized rubber
surface, incorporation powder &pyrolysis
of ELT granulates in
plastics

Opportunities Govt policies focusing Cost reduction, image ELT management

&Drivers on environmental branding, reputation, methods state wise,
issues, legislative circular economic Regulations’
change pushed by strategy influence on smooth
organizations, ELT market development.
considered a resource

Barriers & Tire manufacturers are Innovation constrains, Well established and
challenges small scale and family- alleged risks in health, efficient ELT system,
owned, ELT as rubber raw material pricing Active research on
resource limits use in new technologies
some recovery routes

8. Conclusion of the SOK Phase

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The older a system is, the better the performance it will have on this spectrum; hence ELT

management systems are directly related to the existence or absence of a system or the level of

maturity therein. The data on ELT management practices in diverse countries, in terms of

production rates and recovery rates in metric tons; market analysis; the impact of governmental

support in the provision of a legal framework, technological advancement and its application, in

this report is able to further elucidate the distribution of ELT across recovery methods,

applications and products thus showing its unique impact on a global level.