WRAP Launches Competition to Boost Used Tyres Reprocessing

A new capital support programme has been launched by WRAP (the Waste & Resources Action Programme) aimed at creating new reprocessing infrastructure for used tyres. The capital programme will provide financial support towards the costs of plant, equipment and infrastructure for projects in the UK in order to increase recycling of used tyres into value added markets, including re-treading facilities.

In particular, the programme is looking for proposals that will process used car tyres and also benefit construction and manufacturing, either from the supply of the raw materials created from tyre rubber processing, or from the manufacturing of finished products incorporating recycled rubber.

To be eligible for support, projects must:

• be a capital investment (operating costs are not eligible for support) to create new or expand existing capacity to process used tyres to increase the quantity of tyre material used in applications and end products;
• be located in the UK;
• use post-consumer (used) tyres from the UK
• be installed and fully operational by the end of December 2007;
• be able to demonstrate that the project viability is dependent on WRAP support; and
• have clearly defined end markets, applications or products for processed tyres.

David Connor, Tyres Marketing Projects Manager at WRAP, said:
“WRAP supports the development of added value markets for tyre recycling and we believe the future of tyre recycling will be more assured if greater value can be generated throughout the supply chain. We are pleased to be delivering this initiative, which will boost the opportunities for tyre recycling throughout the UK.”

Full details of how to apply and the timetable are available on the WRAP website at www.wrap.org.uk. Alternatively, contact can be made by e-mailing capital.support@wrap.org.uk or by calling 01295 819900 and asking for the Capital Grants Team. The closing date for receipt of applications is 12 noon, Friday 28th July 2006.