Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Rubber & Plastics News
Subscribe
  • My Account
  • LogIn
  • News
  • Technology Focus
    • Features
    • Technical Papers
    • Analysis: Rubber mixing plants of the future
      Analysis: US probes dumping by ESBR suppliers
      Opinion: Tire labels stuck in a rut
      Analysis: NR pricing takes one step forward, two steps back
    • White paper: Role of tire innerliners in improving 'in-use rolling resistance'
      White paper: Why tire air retention matters now more than ever
      Nippon Soda: Use of 1,2-polybutadiene in CSM rubber applications
      Elastomers for Sustainability Top 10
  • Events
    • ERJ Events
    • ERJ Livestreams & Webinars
    • Industry Events
    • Journey to Automation Awards 2020
      Sustainability: Top 10 E4S projects table
  • Maps & Reports
  • People
  • Directory
  • Digital Edition
  • Brainiac
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. News
June 12, 2020 11:01 AM

Industry dismay at move to ban use of rubber granules in synthetic turf

Shahrzad Pourriahi
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print

    Brussels – The European Tyre & Rubber Manufacturers’ Association (ETRMA) has described the move by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) to potentially place a ban on the use of rubber granules for infill materials in artificial turf as ‘costly and disproportionate’.
     
    In a 10 June decision, ECHA’s Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC) recommended a “complete ban” on using microplastics, including granules from end of life tires (ELTs) and synthetic elastomeric materials in artificial turf, after a six-year transition.   

    ECHA had proposed two options for addressing the risks posed by the microplastics, an agency spokeswoman said in a separate statement to ERJ. 
     
    “One option was a ban on placing on the market after a transition period of six years. A second option was the mandatory use of risk management measures such as fences, and brushes,” she added.
     
    ECHA’s Committee for Socio-economic Analysis (SEAC) has agreed on the draft opinion but has a 60-day consultation period to announce its recommendations before the proposal is sent to the European Commission for approval.
     
    In response to the move, ETRMA secretary general Fazilet Cinaralp said a complete ban would be a ‘disproportionate’ measure which could cost Europe in excess of €1.5 billion.
     
    “There are ways to control the spread of infill materials placed in fields and we hope that the SEAC opinion shall balance the benefits and downsides of the measure,” Cinaralp told ERJ 11 June.
     
    According to ETRMA, some 527,000 tonnes of ELTs – 30% of market share – are processed to be used as infill materials in Europe. 
     
    In the case of a ban, this volume would need to be used in other applications or into energy recovery, which is in conflict with EU waste hierarchy principle, Cinaralp added.
     
    ETRMA maintains that the rubber granulate used for infill is heavier than water and does not leave the pitch by itself, nor by wind nor by rain. 
     
    With simple measures, the statement added, the losses into the environment can be reduced to about 10 grams per pitch and year. 
     
    “ETRMA welcomes the position of ESTC and EURIC to ensure all fields throughout Europe incorporate containment measures,” it noted. 
     
    The European Commission, it suggested, could make it mandatory that measures be taken to reduce the spread of microplastics in new artificial grass pitches containing polymeric filling material.  In addition, existing installations should be upgraded as soon as possible. 

    Also commenting on the move, the European Tyre Recycling Association (ETRA) said the decision to propose a ban was 'unfortunate'.

    "The process is not yet finished, as it is still missing the opinion of SEAC Committee which is expected in the Autumn of 2020 and then the final decision of ECHA is expected in 2021," ETRA added in a statement 12 June.

    However, it said, the RAC opinion will impact on the ongoing ECHA process and the final decision, posing "serious concerns" about the future possibility of using rubber infill materials in artificial turf.

    RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
    Conti rubber business reports double-digit declines, expects recovery in ‘21
    Conti rubber business reports double-digit declines, expects recovery in ‘21
    Top Glove reports four-digit rise in profits as demand soars
    Top Glove reports four-digit rise in profits as demand soars
    EU plastics sector facing ‘serious’ raw material shortages
    EU plastics sector facing ‘serious’ raw material shortages
    Free Newsletters

    Breaking news and in-depth coverage of essential topics delivered straight to your inbox.

    Subscribe today

    Get the latest news impacting the European rubber industry, from breaking news to razor-sharp analysis, in print and online.

    Subscribe now
    Connect with Us
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
    • Youtube

    Logo
    Contact Us

    @ 2019 European Rubber Journal. 
    European Rubber Journal is published bi-monthly by NUERJ Ltd.

    Registered Office: Castle House, 89 High Street,
    Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire HP4 2DF, United Kingdom. 

    Tel. + 44 (0)203 196 0141 

    Registered No. 13104613 England

    Email: [email protected]

    Website www.european-rubber-journal.com

    Customer service 

    Tel. + 44 (0)203 196 0141 

     

    Resources
    • About us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise with Us
    • Media Kit
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Legal
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    Copyright © 2021. NUERJ LTD. All Rights Reserved.
    • News
    • Technology Focus
      • Features
      • Technical Papers
    • Events
      • ERJ Events
      • ERJ Livestreams & Webinars
      • Industry Events
    • Maps & Reports
    • People
    • Directory
    • Digital Edition
    • Brainiac