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RETREADING CONFERENCE
In terms of resource productivity, Italy performs well, above the EU average, and surprisingly, below the UK. However, in terms of waste intensity, Italy seems to outperform all other EU states. Italy performs well in recycling, again well above average, but in terms of the Circular Economy, Italy falls behind France and is now on a par with the UK.
The importance of the Circular Economy to a country can be seen in the contribution to its GDP, Italy contributing 1.75% (circa) to its GDP, and makes over 2% contribution to
employment, above the EU Average of around 1.7%. That might not seem a lot, but in a population measured at 23.3 million, that equates to a lot of jobs created by or impacted by the Circular Economy. Developing business is related to patent registration, and here Italy lags way behind France and Germany, suggesting that it is perhaps less innovative and more reactive in business growth.
Moving on to retreaded tyres in particular, D’Amore put forward the following benefits:
Retreaded vs. new tyre (AIRP)
• -70% of raw materials
• Between -24% and -37% CO2 emissions
•-29%landuse
• -19% water use
• 70% of the value of the tyre is recovered
And
• -40% in sale costs
Yet, across Europe retreading has been in decline according to BIPAVER. The decline is directly in proportion to the rise in the sale of Chinese tyres. Those same imports have had only a marginal impact on branded new tyres in the same period. Retreading is in decline, and the sector is losing jobs across Europe according to D’Amore. There have been some actions to support retreading, such as the Anti-dumping duties on imported tyres from China (Regulation (EU) 2018/1690 of 9 November 2018), and moves to stimulate demand – in the French Public Sector there is now a 50% target for retreaded tyres. In Germany, companies buying retreaded tyres can
receive a de minimis payment for measures that improve efficiency, safety and environmental impact. Funding is limited to 2.000 €/Veh. and 33.000 €/company. Scheme for retreads (in2017):40% of net purchasing cost. max. 80% of net cost if retread has “M+S” on not driven axles or “3PMSF” marking on all axles.
In Italy, there is a legal requirement for all public bodies to use 20% retreaded tyres, and a planned increase to 40% within four years – but, there is a lack of enforcement. No-one is ensuring that the requirement is met with.
Italy also has a proposed 20% incentive in tax credits for using retreaded tyres, for business use only. That may, or may not, drive increased use of retreaded tyres.
Information ist Alles
One of my past employers used this mantra in almost ever y discussion, for the linguistically challenged, it translates, Information is Ever ything. It is