Figures and results
Ecopneus manages the collection of ELTs (End-of-Life Tyres) by the means of a monthly planning aimed at the reaching of the annual target set out by the legislation, bearing in mind the seasonal fluctuations linked to the changing of tyres in spring and autumn.
As per art. 228 of D.L. 152/2006, tyre producers and importers have to manage an amount of ELTs corresponding to the one sold on the Italian market during the previous solar year, in compliance with the principles of the Extended Producer Responsibility, implemented at European level.
Ecopneus assures the tracing and recovery of 180,000 tonnes of ELTs every year, optimising their collection in the periods of greater demand and assuring a constant and effective service all over the Italian territory, including all smaller islands.
A constant and regular collection throughout all year, in every Italian Region
The management of the collection of large, medium-sized, and small tyres
About 350,000 tonnes of tyres reach their end of life in Italy every year. They come from the replacement of old tyres on vehicles. Every year, it is estimated that about 30 million automobile tyres, 2 million truck tyres, 3 million tyres for two-wheeled vehicles and over 300,000 tyres for industrial and farming vehicles are sold on the Italian market.
The latter category represent only 0.9% in quantity, but over 4% in weight, due to their large dimensions. Their management requires special skills and appropriate means for their collection, transportation, and treatment. Assuring their correct recovery all over the Italian territory implies an important organizational effort that is fundamental to assure their correct recovery all over the Italian national territory.
The collection of these tyres is quite complex as they come from rural and industrial areas that are often difficult to reach. For this reason, the efforts of Ecopneus are crucial to assure a thorough collection that includes also all smaller Italian islands. It is also fundamental for a correct recycling of tyres in the plants of the Ecopneus chain, effectively managing logistic difficulties and optimising the recovery process.
ELT management
ELT Collection Region by Region
The map and the table here-below contain the data gathered from the collection of ELTs for every single Region. These data highlight homogeneity in the collection of ELTs carried out by Ecopneus throughout Italy. By clicking on a Region, it is possible to see the information related to the Ecopneus collection and all completed collection requests.
| Macro Area | 2026 Collection (t) | % DM | Advancement % On Legal Target |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lombardy | 9.835 | 15% | 6% |
| Veneto, Trentino-Alto Adige, Friuli-Venezia Giulia | 7.521 | 12% | 5% |
| Emilia-Romagna | 5.571 | 8% | 3% |
| Piedmont, Valle d’Aosta, Liguria | 5.819 | 11% | 4% |
| Tuscany, Marche, Umbria | 7.598 | 11% | 5% |
| Lazio, Abruzzo, Molise | 7.952 | 13% | 5% |
| Campania | 6.048 | 9% | 4% |
| Apulia, Basilicata, Calabria | 6.707 | 10% | 4% |
| Sicily, Sardinia | 7.062 | 11% | 4% |
| TOTAL | 64.112 | 100% | 40% |
A widespread and constant collection
20,382 generation points served
51,935 completed collection requests
In 2025, the Ecopneus collection reached tyre dealers, workshops, and service stations in every Italian province, there included all islands. The service is assured throughout the year, following the chronological order of the requests Ecopneus receives.
| Region | 2025 Collection(t) | % DM | % on Target by Law |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lombardy | 29,587 | 15% | 18% |
| Veneto, Trentino-Alto Adige, Friuli-Venezia Giulia | 26,360 | 12% | 16% |
| Emilia-Romagna | 19,848 | 8% | 12% |
| Piedmont, Valle d’Aosta, Liguria | 18,356 | 11% | 11% |
| Tuscany, Marche, Umbria | 23,071 | 11% | 14% |
| Lazio, Abruzzo, Molise | 22,923 | 13% | 14% |
| Campania | 17,223 | 9% | 11% |
| Apulia, Basilicata, Calabria | 20,487 | 10% | 13% |
| Sicily, Sardinia | 21,549 | 11% | 13% |
| TOTAL | 199,408 | 100% | 124% |
| 2025 | “Operative” collection Target “ (in tonnes) | ELT Collection (in tonnes) |
|---|---|---|
| January | 14,574 | 15,618 |
| February | 13,802 | 15,838 |
| March | 14,484 | 16,164 |
| April | 13,847 | 15,546 |
| May | 13,847 | 18,371 |
| June | 14,484 | 17,499 |
| July | 14,484 | 18,364 |
| August | 4,670 | 8,228 |
| September | 14,529 | 19,149 |
| October | 14,010 | 20,464 |
| November | 14,529 | 19,159 |
| December | 13,369 | 15,001 |
| TOTAL | 160,627 | 199,408 |
| TARGET BY LAW | 160,627 |
|---|---|
| EXTRA COLLECTION (as of 31st December 2025) | +24% |
Valorisation of recycled rubber
The efforts of Ecopneus in the valorisation of recycled rubber is based on three key principles:
- Material recovery is prioritised, in line with the EU waste hierarchy, favouring reuse and retreading.
- Support to the sector, supporting the consolidation and development of the companies of the sector. This aims at constantly improving the quality of the material leaving the treatment plants;
- Development of the national market, prioritising internal consumption and exporting only as a second choice.
On top of recycling, Ecopneus assures the energy recovery of those ELTs that are not absorbed by the market. This helps to close the management cycle and to make the system stable and sustainable. This commitment generates a number of benefits: new occupation, the development of innovative markets, and the strengthening of an efficient and autonomous circular economy. The results of the recent years have confirmed a virtuous growth in the material recovery and energy recovery ratio.
Recovery of material and energy
48%
Material recovery
79,041
tonnes
52%
Energy recovery
86,226
Tonnes
In 2024, the Ecopneus system assured the effective recovery of 165,267 tonnes of ELTs, valorising:
Material recovery
- Granular Vulcanised Rubber (GVR) for products and applications: 23.1%
- Steel recycled in steel mills and foundries: 8.7%
- Combustion residues included in cement (steel and ashes): 16.0%
- Whole ELTs used in engineering works: 0.01%
Find out more about the applications of recycled rubber:
Energy Recovery
- Shreds used in cement factories: 39.8%
- Textile fibres recovered as fuel: 4.9%
- Chips and CSS-c used in cement factories: 3.8%
- Whole ELTs used in the production of electrical power: 3.7%
Find out more about the applications of recycled rubber:
Measurable environmental benefits
Thanks to the Ecopneus management system, the following have been avoided in 2024:
92,926
Tonnes of CO₂ eq
(equal to the CO2 absorption of 12.4 million trees)
957,109
MWh of fossil resources
(equal to the energy needed for lighting a stadium for over 95,000 matches)
Read about the Impact
Interactively explore what the 2024 results effectively mean
The collection
168,034
Tonnes of collected ELTs
| In a row | 109 km (distance Milan-Verona) |
| In volume | They fill up 167 Olympic swimming pools |
| In vehicles | Comparable to the tyres of 21 million automobiles (4 tyres weighing 8kg each = 32kg/automobile) |
| In weight | like 1,120 full loaded 747 Boeing (150 tonnes each) |
Avoided emissions
92,926
tonnes of CO₂ avoided
| Absorption | 12.4 million trees in a year |
| Distance travelled by automobile | 574.6 million km with a medium-sized automobile = 14,365 world tours |
| Household heating | Annual emissions of 46,463 Italian households (2 tonnes CO₂/average household) |
Saved energy
957,109
MWh of avoided fossil resources
| Lighting | Energy to light a stadium for 95.000 matches |
| Heating | 10 million sqm of apartments in a year |
| Household consumption | Yearly electricity need of 319,036 Italian families |
| Industrial production | Equivalent to 191,422 tonnes of petroleum |