TRAC unveils speakers for Rubber Recycling Symposium

CAMBRIDGE, Ontario—The speakers are set for the two-day Rubber Recycling Symposium this fall, and other perks have been added.

The Tire and Rubber Association of Canada, organizer of the Oct. 4-5 event in Halifax, Nova Scotia, has added two tours of recycling facilities Oct. 6, the day following the symposium.

The facilities—Lafarge Brookfield (cement) and Halifax C&D (civil engineering materials)—use tire derived fuel and tire derived aggregate in their production processes.

"To bring additional value to attendees, we are also looking into organizing a tour of two recycling facilities focused on TDF and TDA in Halifax," said Carol Hochu, president and CEO of TRAC. "We are currently in the process of gauging general interest from the attendees whether such tours would be of interest. We look forward to hearing from the registrants whether they are interested in this limited-availability optional tour."

The symposium itself will feature an array of expert speakers, led by a virtual keynote address from Larisa Kryachkova, executive director of the Tire Industry Project of the World Business Council on Sustainable Development.

"This year's event is going to be one for the books," Hochu said. "Our 2023 lineup is comprised of stellar speakers from key global markets including the Americas, Asia, Australia and Europe, and brings some of the true experts and leaders in their respective fields."

Other speakers include:

• Barry Takallou, president and CEO, TRAC ELT Committee;
• Bob Ferguson, program manager, Canadian Association of Tire Recycling Agencies;
• Steve Meldrum, CEO, eTracks Tire Management Systems;
• Louis Gagne, research and planning officer, Recyc Quebec;
• Frank LeBlanc, CEO, Recycle New Brunswick;
• John Sheerin, director, end-of-life tire programs, USTMA;
• Federico Dossena, general manager, Ecopneus ScpA;
• Fredrik Ardefors, CEO, Swedish Tire Recycling Association;
• Lina Goodman, CEO, Tyre Stewardship Australia;
• Sarah Amick, senior vice president and senior counsel, USTMA;
• Alex Van Gelderen, manager, ELT and circularity, European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers Association;
• Brandon Kuczenski, principal at Scope 3 Consulting (virtual presentation);
• Maureen Kline, vice president, public affairs and sustainability, Pirelli Tire North America;
• Andrew Thompson, global director, sustainability strategy, Bridgestone Corp. (invited);
• Derek Bradeen, global business model leader, retreading and recycling, Michelin;
• Michael Rachita, senior program manager with innovation technology, Goodyear;
• Nick Santero, leading sustainability science, Rivian;
• Redmond Clark, CBL Industrial Services;
• Peter Schroedter, principal, Off the Road Recycling;
• Paul Downey, CEO, Pliteq Inc.;
• Rob Cumming, head of sustainability and public affairs at Lafarge Canada Inc. (East); and
• Emmie Leung, Emterra Group.

"Simply put, the attendees will be privy to a very comprehensive program," Hochu said. "On day one, they will receive an overview of the state of extended producer responsibility tire models, regulations and legislature from the point of view of Canada, Australia, Italy and Sweden, and an update on bills and bans in the U.S. and Europe."

Symposium attendees on Oct. 5, the second day, will hear from Pirelli, Michelin and Bridgestone on what drives sustainability in tire manufacturing, along with developments in markets for rubber modified asphalt, tire derived aggregate, tire derived products and tire derived fuel.

The deadline to register at the "early bird" price is Aug. 8. The room block at the Lord Nelson Hotel expires Aug. 31.

For questions, contact Michal Majernik at [email protected].