• Over 50 experts took part to the online conference of the European Tyre and Road Wear Particles (TRWP) Platform on 15 February.

• They asked for closer dialogue and alignment on methodologies to identify TRWP in the environment; the abrasion rate measurement methods for tyres and roads; and the co-development of mitigation measures.

Several methodologies are currently under development to address the dispersion of tyre and road wear particles (TRWP) in the environment, which due to their size and composition are commonly associated with microplastics.  From policymakers to industry, research institutes and universities, every player is trying to find solutions to address the generation and transport of the tiny particles formed by the friction between the tyre and the road while driving. However, to avoid confusion and misalignments between experts, a closer dialogue and alignment between parties is urgently needed to develop representative, reproducible and repeatable methodologies. This is the crucial step towards TRWP mitigation that over 50 experts, from different sectors, voiced at the European TRWP Platform’s online meeting on 15th February. At the event, participants highlighted the need for alignment and coordination especially when it comes to the methodology used to identify and quantify TRWP in the environment and the abrasion rate measurement methods for tyres and roads.

In this context, engaging with different key stakeholders can lead to unexplored solutions to TRWP mitigation, for instance in the road sector as to date, there is little scientific literature addressing the potential benefits of proper maintenance and/or upgrading of pavement quality on the generation of TRWP. However, the involvement of this sector alone will not be enough. As mentioned by many studies presented during the meeting (such as the “Cost-benefit analysis of policy measures reducing unintentional release of microplastics”, currently performed on behalf of the European Commission, the VTI‘s report on “Potential policy instruments and measures against microplastics from tyre and road wear - Mapping and prioritisation“ and the study performed by the University of Ghent on the “Distribution, effects and risks of microplastics in Flemish surface waters”), reducing the presence of debris in the environment will be possible only through a combination of measures implemented across several sectors: from tyre manufacturers and vehicle manufacturers to road makers, authorities, and wastewater treatment centres to name a few.

Therefore, tackling TRWP in the environment requires a holistic approach. This is why the European TRWP Platform is gathering key stakeholders to explore opportunities for practical actions related to mitigation, which were outlined in Way Forward Report and can be achieved through multi-stakeholder collaboration.

To advance towards these actions, multiple actors, including the Tire Industry Project (TIP), are working to fill the remaining knowledge gaps with independent research studies. An important support in this direction can also be given by Horizon Europe, the European funding programme for research and innovation. Through it, stakeholders can receive the investments needed to deepen the scientific knowledge and advance toward practical mitigation (e.g., studies about the impacts of road surfaces on the generation of TRWP to develop strategies to optimise trade-offs between safety/rolling resistance/noise/wear).

About the European Tyre and Road Wear Particle Platform

Launched in 2018 by the European Tyre & Rubber Manufacturers Association (ETRMA) and facilitated by CSR Europe, the European TRWP Platform is a cross-sectorial initiative bringing together industry sectors, public authorities and research institutes to share scientific knowledge and co-create mitigation actions to tackle the generation and transportation of tyre and road wear particles into the environment.

For more information:

Elisa Casazza, Senior Project Manager

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