Together towards tyre circularity

TOGETHER TOWARDS

TYRE CIRCULARITY

AS AUSTRALIA’S LEADING TYRE RECYCLER, TYRECYCLE HAS BEEN PURSUING DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARKETS FOR QUALITY TYRE-DERIVED PRODUCTS AHEAD OF THE INTRODUCTION OF THE COAG TYRE WASTE BAN. CEO JIM FAIRWEATHER REFLECTS ON THE CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FACING AUSTRALIA.

The pursuit of new domestic and international markets for quality tyre-derived products is a core focus of Australia’s leading tyre recycler Tyrecycle, ahead of the December 2021 introduction of the Council of Australian Governments’ (COAG’s) tyre waste ban. Jim Fairweather, CEO of ResourceCo’s tyre recycling company Tyrecycle, reflects on just how critical it is that Australia commits resources to developing a strong domestic market, while continuing to strengthen and grow the international market.

“We have to work together to drive sustainable solutions to the generation of waste tyres in Australia, especially as the estimated 60 thousand tonnes of previously whole-baled and exported tyres come online,” Fairweather says. “We have collected 3.9 million tyres in the last three months alone – that will increase substantially post December and we need to continue to work with governments, retailers and consumers to drive sustainable end solutions.”

The role of consumers cannot be overlooked, as Fairweather explains.

“We need consumers to be asking their retailers what happens to their used tyres; we need to support retailers in educating consumers on the real costs of recycling, while at the same time promoting and supporting the development of viable and sustainable markets for end-of-life tyres,” he observes.

“We know consumers will shift their purchasing decisions based on intrinsic values and that environmental sustainability is one of those, but that needs to be supported all the way up the chain.”

Tyrecycle is currently undertaking the largest infrastructure investment program in the 30-year history of the company as it gears up to deal with the increase in end-oflife tyres being processed here in Australia.

“To meet demand, we have had a new tyre recycling plant come online in Sydney, while a second new plant is scheduled for Western Australia within the next year, and we are further bolstering our operations in South Australia, Victoria, and Queensland,” Fairweather says.

“We’re investing over $50 million in new plants and machinery to deliver strong environmental and economic outcomes with surety of service and chain of custody exceeding industry standards.”

Tyrecycle’s eight processing plants across Australia produce crumbed rubber for use in tile adhesive playing fields and road surfaces, as well as tyre-derived-fuel (TDF), which is used as an alternative to fossil fuels such as gas, coal, or oil in industrial applications such as cement kilns.

“We’re creating high quality recycled products, but in unison with that, we need to see a real commitment to bold procurement targets for repurposed materials, across all levels of government,” Fairweather says.

“For example, there’s huge opportunity to increase the use of recycled rubber content in roads and to develop appropriate national standards that support that. Trials have already demonstrated improved grip and braking distances, reduced noise levels and reduced whole-of-life costs. We also see significant upside in developing the domestic market for use of TDF, by encouraging partnerships with industrial companies who share our goals for greener supply chains.”

As well as growing domestic markets, Tyrecycle continues to invest resources in the development of new international markets, and it recently entered a new trial for supply of TDF to Thailand as a significant growth opportunity.

“Expanding partnerships, both locally and globally, will be key to supporting competitiveness and scale. We’ll only achieve the goal of circularity if all stakeholders accept there is responsibility at every level.”

Tyrecycle has eight processing plants across Australia.