The launch of the Tyre Recycling Industry Association of South Africa (TRIASA) comes at a critical time as the sector aims to reduce waste tyres while contributing to economic growth and job creation.
This is the view of Mehran Zarrebini, one of the body's founder members and CEO of Hammarsdale-based truck tyre recycling and export operation, Mathe Group.
Zarrebini, who advocates for tyre recycling at forums across the world, said that as a registered stakeholder in the lead-up to the imminent finalisation of the Section 29 Integrated Waste Tyre Plan, TRIASA can make an important contribution to the government's new strategy.
It believes that it can do so while creating entrepreneurial manufacturing opportunities and jobs.
In South Africa, the road towards efficiently repurposing used tyres, which pose health and environmental risks, has been rocky.
The Recycling and Economic Development Initiative of South Africa (REDISA) was established in 2013 to create an environmentally friendly waste tyre management solution.
However, it was suspended in 2017 following allegations of mismanagement, corruption, and financial irregularities.
Minimal recycling has continued since then.
"Our aim is to unite the different elements of tyre recycling in South Africa and to provide a forum for discussion, knowledge exchange, and collaboration on pressing issues within the industry.
“Our priority is to foster the growth of the tyre recycling industry, promoting a circular economy, and reducing South Africa's dependency on imported rubber," Zarrebini said.
TRIASA's goals are:
• Encouraging Green Public Procurement (GPP) and supporting the circular economy by promoting the use of Recycled Tyre Material (RTM) in applications such as road resurfacing, construction, and infrastructure projects.
• Stimulating the use of recycled content in new products to replace imported rubber.
• Supporting research in tyre recycling to foster innovation in end-market applications for RTMs to expand potential uses and create new opportunities.
TRIASA members include entities involved in waste tyre processing that employ either of the primary recycling technologies currently in use – mechanical or ambient grinding of tyres and pyrolysis (decomposition at high temperatures) and pre-processing, shredding, and baling.
Members must be registered with the Waste Bureau and have supply agreements in place.
"I believe very strongly that the industry should foster and nurture a strong relationship with the government with respect to the implementation and management of the tyre waste management plan of South Africa.”
Zarrebini said global tyre production was estimated to be 1.9 billion units in 2021, including tyres for on and off-road vehicles and equipment.
“For each tyre placed on the market – as original or replacement equipment – one tyre will reach the end of its road life. From then, they will be defined as waste," he said.
The global tyre waste pile also includes rejects.
EU member states permanently removed about 4.21 tonnes of tyres from passenger cars, utility vehicles, trucks, and off-road vehicles (agricultural, mining) in 2021.
This represented an increase of 300 000 tonnes compared to 2019. There are comparable quantities in other regions, including the Americas, Asia, Australia, and the Middle East.
However, Zarrebini said statistics of waste tyres in SA are scarce, and there needs to be a national audit. A Waste Bureau data estimate suggests there are an average of 13 million tyres weighing 300 000 tonnes sold through a network of between 1 400 to 2 000 dealerships annually.
Passenger vehicle tires (including SUV/4x4 and light truck radial tires) contribute an estimated 89% of waste tires, while commercial vehicle (truck) tires account for 11%.
Applying an 18-20% reduction in weight between new and waste tires results in an estimated 240 000 – 250 000 tonnes of end-of-life tires annually.
Most of these tires are returned to dealerships and fitment centres when new tires are fitted.
According to updated industry data, 206 272 tonnes of waste tires were generated in 2021. However, according to the latest government statistics, only an estimated 54 460 tonnes of waste tires were reprocessed in 2018/19.
