Neumáticos fuera de uso (NFU)

Every year millions of tyres reach the end of their useful life. This waste stream, known as end-of-life tyres (ELTs) (in Spanish, neumáticos fuera de uso or NFU), is problematic because of its volume, durability and the environmental risks of dumping or poor management.

At the same time, ELTs are a valuable source of secondary raw materials, such as rubber, steel and textile fibres, with many applications in construction, civil works, industry and energy.

What are end-of-life tyres?

An end-of-life tyre is any tyre that, having lost the performance needed to be driven on safely, becomes waste. Its main characteristics are:

• High strength and durability.
• A complex composition (natural and synthetic rubber, steel, textiles and additives).
• Slow degradation in the environment.

Environmental challenges

• Illegal dumping: stockpiles create a serious fire risk and occupy large amounts of space.
• Tyre fires: they release toxic smoke containing dioxins, hydrocarbons and particulates. A well-known example is the Seseña tyre dump fire (Toledo, Spain, 2016).
• Pests: water collecting in abandoned tyres provides breeding sites for mosquitoes and other insects.

Applicable regulation

• Royal Decree 1619/2005 on the management of end-of-life tyres in Spain.
• Law 7/2022 on waste and contaminated soil.
• Waste Framework Directive (2008/98/EC).

Key principles include:

• A ban on landfilling whole tyres.
• Extended producer responsibility: manufacturers and importers finance the management of ELTs.
• Priority for reuse and recycling over energy recovery, in line with the waste hierarchy.

Treatment and recovery processes

• Reuse and retreading: replacing the tread extends a tyre's life and saves resources and energy.
• Material recycling: mechanical shredding produces rubber granulate, while steel and textile fibres are separated out. Outputs are used in artificial turf, sports surfaces, modified asphalt and footwear soles.
• Energy recovery: used as an alternative fuel in cement kilns, with a calorific value comparable to petroleum coke.

Uses of recycled rubber

• Construction and civil works: rubberised asphalt, acoustic fill and insulation.
• Sport: artificial turf pitches and athletics tracks.
• Footwear: soles and sustainable fashion products.
• Urban furniture: playgrounds and safety paving.

Benefits of proper management

• Environmental: avoids fires and pollution and recovers valuable materials.
• Economic: creates markets for secondary raw materials.
• Social: generates green jobs and drives industrial innovation.

Relationship with the circular economy

ELTs are a clear example of a waste stream with high circularity potential. Recycling rubber and steel reduces the extraction of virgin resources, and recovery options reduce reliance on landfill. They also drive innovation in the ecodesign of tyres that are more durable and easier to recycle.

Turning end-of-life tyres into useful resources for construction, sport, fashion and energy is key to closing the loop on this waste stream within the circular economy. At Manglai we help companies measure their environmental footprint and prepare their sustainability reporting. Discover how Manglai can help you.