South Korea

ELT are targeted by an EPR system as defined in national legislation, which provides a framework for the recycling plans, the roles and responsibilities of actors involved and provisions concerning waste reduction.

There have been no changes in legislation since 2016.

KOTMA (Korean Tire Manufacturers Association) is a non-profit organization representing the interests of tire and tube manufacturers in Korea. It is the main ELT management organization in South Korea, and its roles include the management, collection and treatment of ELT in Korea, in an efficient and environmentally-friendly manner.

In South Korea, ELT are mainly valorized for energy recovery (50.1%), and for material recovery (37.9%).

• The use of ELT in crumb rubber for synthetic turf is restricted by reinforced standards in South Korea and potential incurred costs.
• A study commissioned by KOTMA and its member companies found that none of four major heavy metals considered harmful to human health (lead, cadmium, chromium, mercury) were detected in the lower layer of the urethane tracks analysed.

• Interest for rubber-modified asphalt but low demand.
• Material: use of ELT in composites; use of tire chips in bio filters.

• Effective EPR system and high recovery rate.
• Government policy limitations on ELT sent to energy recovery (70%) to develop material recovery markets.

Current dominance of recovery methods over ELT recycling.