Despite the difficulties linked to the health emergency, Ecopneus reached important results also in 2021, assuring an efficient and effective management of the ELTs it is responsible for. Ecopneus has also greatly contributed to the development of the market of recycled rubber and the development of the companies of the chain. It is a constant effort to support the companies of the chain in their facing a particularly difficult moment from a financial point of view.
Thanks to the recovery activities of Ecopneus, over 79 million euros were saved on the imports of raw materials in 2021 alone. Moreover, over 310,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent were not released into the environment, 282 thousand tonnes of raw materials were not used and 1.23 million m3 of water was saved
The End-of-Life Tyre (ELT) management system of Ecopneus is a sector of excellence for the development of Italy’s circular economy and the environmental protection. This is what emerges from the 2021 management data presented by Ecopneus. Ecopneus is a non-profit company and the main operation in the sector of End-of-Life Tyres in Italy.
Despite the difficulties caused by the health emergency, Ecopneus reached important results also in 2021. It assured an efficient and effective management of End-of-life Tyres it is responsible for and strongly contributed to the development of the market of recycled rubber and of the industrial chain of ELT recycling.
This effort is continuing in 2022 too. As such, Ecopneus collaborating with the companies of the chain of ELT recycling to face the current crisis and the financial difficulties caused by an increase of energy prices.
Federico Dossena, General Manager of Ecopneus, commented: “In this difficult moment for all companies, Ecopneus is at work to carry on supporting the companies of the chain that are dealing with energy price rises. This may affect the market of recycled rubber. It is a difficult moment, when we must carry on assuring waste management. Above all, we must reconfirm the objectives set for the circular economy the future of our country is based on. As always, Ecopneus is at the service of our Country, the environment and the whole articulated chain of ELT management, working ethically and transparently for a concrete and sustainable closing of the recovery cycle of recycled rubber”
In 2021, Ecopneus collected over 200 thousand tonnes of ELTs at more than 20,000 tyre dealers throughout Italy, going beyond its legal target by 20%. 52% of collected ELTs was destined to energy recovery; on the contrary, 48% was recovered as material to produce rubber granules and powders as well as steel used in the applications of recycled rubber: sports and entertainment applications (55%), products and mixes (24%), rubber items( 8%), acoustic insulation materials for the building sector (16%) and low-noise asphalts (1%). The quota destined to material recovery shows a growing trend. This must be interpreted as the result of the consolidation of the industrial system composed of a network of 100 qualitied companies all over the Italian territory. 
In parallel with the promotion of quality and ELT treatment chain efficiency, Ecopneus also intensely acted on the support of the market of the applications of recycled rubber. Indeed, it has stimulated and incentivised the constant improvement of treatment processes and products. In 2021 alone, Ecopneus allocated about 2 million euros to R&D projects to favour the development of the market of recycled rubber applications, with reference to quality of materials and widening of its sectors of application.
Since 2011, Ecopneus has managed over 2.5 million ELTs. It has dedicated particular effort to the activities of emptying historical stocks and the extraordinary collection of the ELTs illegally dumped in the Terra dei Fuochi – for a total of over 87,000 tonnes of collected ELTs. In 2021 alone, thanks to the recovery and recycling activities of Ecopneus, 310,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent were not released into the atmosphere; moreover, almost 1.23 million m3 of water and 282,000 tonnes of raw materials were saved.
To these benefits, one must add a saving for Italy linked to the reduction of imports of virgin raw materials amounting to 79 million euros. The system managed by Ecopneus generates important financial benefits too. Indeed, in 2021 alone, the activities of Ecopneus have generated an important financial value that amounts to 52.1 million euros. Of these, 44.9 million was spent to compensate the costs of the chain companies for the activities of recovery, collection, transportation and treatment.
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