The Scrap Tire Research and Education Foundation (STREF) will host its eighth Scrap Tire Conference in the nation's largest tire production state. Greenville, S.C., will be the meeting spot on Dec. 4-5, 2019.
The conference will be co-sponsored by the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) and the South Carolina Department of Commerce. It will focus on scrap tire markets in a sustainable, circular economy, and will be held at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Greenville.
“As the nation’s leader in the production and export sales of tires, tire recycling is a contributor to the $13 billion economic impact that recycling has on South Carolina each year,” says Chantal Fryer, senior manager of the Recycling Market Development Division, which is part of the South Carolina Department of Commerce. “We look forward to welcoming tire industry leaders from around the country, as well as participating in the substantial discussions that will take place during December’s event.”
Conference topics will include emerging trends in circular economic thinking and scrap tires, challenges and opportunities for existing and potential markets for scrap tires including rubber modified asphalt, micronized rubber powder, tire-derived fuel, civil engineering markets and emerging markets like pyrolysis and devulcanization.
“A lot has changed in the last two years, and this conference gives industry participants the best possible chance to get all the latest information, network with peers, and develop collaboration opportunities with colleagues," says John Sheerin, director of end of life tire programs for the USTMA. "South Carolina is the center of the tire manufacturing industry today and that industry is changing. Recyclers and state recycling programs need to stay ahead of the trends and this conference will help them do so."
The Scrap Tire Workgroup also will meet on Dec. 3, 2019, to discuss the current progress of the U.S. state scrap tire markets and programs. The state-run workgroup includes representatives from government, trade associations, scrap tire publications, consultants, academia and scrap tire recyclers.
“We view scrap tire management in the U.S. as an environmental success story – one that not enough people know about,” says Anne Forristall Luke, CEO and president of USTMA.“As annual generation increases over time, markets for scrap tires must grow proportionally. For the past 30 years, USTMA has worked with numerous state, industry and academic partners to help advance legislation and regulations that promote the management of scrap tires and market development. We are thrilled to have many of those important thought leaders exchanging information and best practices at our Scrap Tire Recycling Conference and look forward to continued work with them in the next year.”
Information about the conference is available at www.stref.org. Attendees are asked to register for the conference and book hotel accommodations as soon as possible due to space limitations.
