All the tyres collected by EcoTyre are sent for recovery. This recovery can take either of two forms: the recovery of materials where the tyres are recycled, or energy recovery where the tyres are used as fuel for cement kilns, incinerators or other similar plants.
Through recycling, it is possible to recover rubber, which makes up approximately 70% of the tyre’s weight, steel (20%), and textile fibres (10%). To obtain this material, ELTs are treated in specialist plants which initially extract the steel component found inside the rubber. Then, through various treatment phases which grind the tyres into very small pieces, special machines are able to separate the textile fibre from the rubber. The rubber is then subject to further grinding to produce rubber granule or powder.
The resulting product can be used for a multitude of purposes such as:
- Modified asphalt
- Paving and similar
- Sports surfaces
- Insulation material
- Urban Furniture
- Civil engineering works
- Mulching material
- Reused in other compounds.
EcoTyre prioritises recycling with approximately 53% of collections following this route. This, together with the growth of the recycled products matket, helps developing a circular economy based on ELTs.