In 2021, TSA commissioned the report below, which proposed more representative emissions factors for end-of-life tyres (EOLT), with the aim to better recognise and facilitate the use of tyre derived fuel (TDF) as a fossil fuel replacement. The outcome of this investigation identified the importance of accounting for the biomass content, due to the presence of natural rubber, in passenger car tyres, truck and off-the road-tyres. The results from the report proposed more accurate energy and emission factors, demonstrating that as a fossil fuel replacement TDF has a higher calorific value than coal, and that greenhouse gas emissions would be reduced by around 30% for the same energy input.

TSA identified that a potential barrier to uptake of TDF in local energy recovery markets was that the designated solid fuel factor for EOLT was not a true representation of the actual energy content and the associated greenhouse gas emissions from combustion. At the time of the report, the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (NGER) Scheme did not recognise tyres as a stand-alone fuel, failing to highlight one of the major incentives for EOLT reuse, namely as a means by which an energy intensive business, such as cement production, can reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.

Since commissioning the report, TSA has worked closely with the Federal Government to propose a 2022 update to the NGER scheme legislation, specifically to create 2 new fuel types for EOLT, allowing NGER reports to reflect emissions more accurately from TDF combustion. The updated amendments can be found here.

Download the full report here:

End-Of-Life Tyre Combustion Emission Factors