Press releases
Kuusakoski continues as Finnish Tyre Recycling´s operator
Finnish Tyre Recycling Ltd. has chosen Kuusakoski Oy as its recycling system operator for the contract period starting 1 January 2016. This is a five-year extension to the contract with an option for two extra years. The cooperation includes recycling, handling and reutilization of end-of-life tyres. Developing new reutilization solutions will present the biggest challenges in the future.
The extension to the contract will not bring noticeable changes to tyre producers, collection points or consumers. However, we will be faced with significant challenges with regards to tyre reuse, because the legislation will restrict the use of tyres for landfill site structures from the start of 2016. We must find alternative reuse for up to 30,000 tonnes of tyres annually to replace their use as landfill site structures.
Finnish Tyre
Recycling Ltd.'s Managing Director, Risto Tuominen, feels confident about finding a
solution to the challenge. “We decided to continue our cooperation with
Kuusakoski based on the evaluation of the overall economy. The
reutilization plans Kuusakoski presented are based on our customers' genuine
requirements and realistic aims. We don't expect to find an all-engulfing black hole," Tuominen
exclaims.
Innovative processing and reuse
Kuusakoski Oy has committed to carry out long-term development work to ensure that the minimum of 95 per cent recovery rate for tyre recycling will continue to be met in the future. “The new contract enables us to prepare for future challenges. The aim is to fully utilize the potential offered by tyres as a raw material. Processing tyre rubber for industry requirements means broad research and development cooperation, innovative thought processes and investments,” enlightens Kuusakoski’s CEO, Atte Kekkonen.
The lightness, elasticity and the insulating and transmittance properties of the tyre material offer clear advantages over alternative materials. The granulate, shreds and cuts processed from tyres have numerous potential usages for example on sports fields and horse riding fields. The suitability of tyre shred for water cleaning purposes is currently being tested in numerous trial projects.
Recycling system covering the whole country
Finnish Tyre Recycling Ltd. is a recycling pioneer based on producer responsibility. Currently, the recycling system includes approximately 280 producers and 2,900 collection points. Annually, approximately 50,000 tonnes of end-of-life tyres are collected and reutilized. Tyres are reused as they are or retreaded, recycled as material or reutilized as energy, in accordance with the principles of waste hierarchy.
Tyre recycling is paid for through recycling fees, which are ultimately collected from consumers in connection to new tyre purchases. End-of-life tyres can be returned for recycling free of charge at any store selling tyres. Tyre consumers do not have a recycling obligation, but responsible consumers look after their tyres with safety and the environment in mind.
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Finnish
Tyre Recycling Ltd.
The
systematic recycling of end-of-life tyres was initiated in 1995, when core players in the tyre industry established Finnish Tyre Recycling
Ltd. to fulfil the recycling obligation based on producer responsibility. As the producer
association, the company takes care of collecting end-of-life tyres on behalf
of the tyre producers that have signed the cooperation agreement. We take care of the recycling comprehensively,
fairly and efficiently.
Kuusakoski Oy
We are a
customer-focused, pioneering and environmentally friendly provider of recycling
services with an international track record. A passion for
the deeper understanding of materials and recycling drives our innovations and
helps us develop more efficient recycling solutions. We strive to be
unconditionally ethical and transparent in everything we do which makes us a
reliable partner.
Further
information:
Managing Director Risto Tuominen, Finnish Tyre Recycling Ltd.
Tel. +358 40 717 7200
risto.tuominen@rengaskierratys.com
www.rengaskierratys.com
Director of Community Relations Risto Pohjanpalo, Kuusakoski Oy
Tel. +358 20 781 7304
www.kuusakoski.fi