EuRIC, the industry organization representing a significant majority of end-of-life tyre (ELT) recyclers across Europe, seeks to highlight the urgent and appalling situation that currently plagues this sector within the European Union (EU).

The EU has decided, currently awaiting final endorsement by the European Parliament, to restrict intentionally added microplastics. However, instead of implementing immediate risk-management measures to prevent microplastic releases from artificial pitches, the EU has opted to ban the use of polymeric infill materials in these pitches after a period of 8 years. This choice lacks clarity and delays effective action to address the issue at hand.

In addition, EuRIC has consistently emphasized that implementing a ban without simultaneously putting in place measures to create alternative markets would have catastrophic consequences for tyre recycling. This is because over 80% of the infill market relies on recycled rubber derived from end-of-life tyres (ELTs).