Tecnalia Participates in EKOPAN Project for Recycling Used Tyres

Spanish company, Tecnalia is participating in the European project named EKOPAN, which focuses on finding solutions to problems arising from recycling of tyres and using them in making roadway noise barriers.

Tyres are being manufactured on a large scale and its disposal poses a grave threat to the environment. To resolve this issue, EKOPAN is looking into using rubber as an acoustic barrier, which has a high capability of noise absorption. Noise barriers manufactured in this manner are both environment friendly and help in reducing CO₂ emission. They are also lighter as compared to regular concrete noise barriers.

EKOPAN is also focussing on reducing the gap between developing, manufacturing and marketing the acoustic panel. Towards this end, it is working on optimising the production process, examining the acoustic and mechanical properties of rubber and also carrying out a market study which will enable in introducing the product in the market.

The EKOPAN project is compliant with the rules and regulations laid down by the European Parliament Directive regarding waste management and recycling of waste to conserve the environment. The project which consists of other companies such as Norten Prefabricados de Hormigon from Spain and GEONARDO Environment Technologies from Hungary apart from Tecnalia, is funded by the European Union and will last for a period of 24 months.