The tyre circular economy is a prime example of the successful implementation of the circular economy and makes a significant contribution to achieving the goals of the European Green Deal and the National Circular Economy Strategy (NKWS). In Germany, the circular economy rate for tyres (excluding thermal recycling) is already over 70 per cent.

Nevertheless, the future of sustainable tyre production and recycling is under threat. The increase in non-retreadable cheap tyre imports from the Far East, insufficient political support and contradictory EU laws are jeopardising the continuation of this successful model. In response, the AZuR network, to which NEW LIFE also belongs, has developed a Greenpaper which addresses key demands to the responsible politicians in Germany and the EU.

A key component of a sustainable circular economy is the recycling of used tyres. In Germany, more than 42% of used tyres are already being recycled in a climate-friendly way, and the green paper sets out the following requirements for securing this future:

• Used tyres that can no longer be retreaded must be recycled into rubber granulate in an environmentally friendly manner in Europe
• The export of used tyres to non-EU countries must be banned
• Used tyres that are still used as fuel must be recycled in future.
• Only non-recyclable tyres (e.g. seal tyres) may be thermally recycled
• Recycled rubber granulate contains firmly bound PAHs, the migration of which cannot be measured under realistic conditions. As part of the EU Commission's review of current PAH limit values, hazard-related, migration- and emission-based measurement methods must be implemented at EU level in order not to jeopardise the sustainable recycling of tyres
• All regulations and certifications must be checked for their suitability for the circular economy. The use of recycled materials should be encouraged and not prohibited

The implementation of the AZuR Greenpaper The measures required by the Green Deal can secure the sustainable future of the circular tyre economy and make a significant contribution to climate and environmental protection. Only through determined, coordinated efforts at European level can the circular tyre economy develop its full potential and achieve the ambitious goals of the Green Deal.