La Asociación Española de Neumáticos Reciclados (AER) held its Ordinary General Assembly and a commemorative event marking its 30th anniversary on 29 June. The event reviewed the Association’s work, examined the sector’s development, and reinforced AER’s position that retreaded tyres are part of a strategic industry for the circular economy, industrial competitiveness, and sustainability in Spain.
Assembly Reviews Recent Activity
The meeting brought together members, institutional representatives, and sector partners. It combined recognition of the Association’s development over the past three decades with a focus on building a more representative organisation aligned with the full recycled tyre value chain.
During his address, AER President Salvador Pérez said the sector had been “doing circular economy for thirty years”. Pérez noted that, before concepts such as decarbonisation, resource reuse, and sustainability became central to European policy, companies involved in tyre retreading and recycling were already extending product lifecycles, recovering materials, and returning them to the economy.
Pérez also underlined the sector’s industrial role, stating that recycled tyres represent not only an environmental solution but also a value chain that involves manufacturers, distributors, garages, transport fleets, the retreading industry, and the recycling industry. He said the sector was not seeking preferential treatment but rather objective recognition of its contributions to raw material savings, emissions reduction, skilled employment, innovation, and reindustrialisation.
During the General Assembly, the Association’s General Secretariat presented a summary of recent work, actions, and activity.
This included AER’s participation in The Tire Cologne and the BIPAVER General Assembly, where the Association reaffirmed its intention to resume its presence in the main European retreading body. Issues discussed included the European taxonomy, labelling, and the inclusion of retreading in European Union green policies.
The Assembly also reviewed a recent webinar organised with AECA-ITV, which included members such as Recacor and IDIADA. The session focused on the manufacture, type approval, and testing of retreaded tyres. AER said it intended to continue promoting similar technical sessions with other relevant organisations.
At the institutional level, AER reviewed its collaboration with CEOE, including work across groups and commissions dealing with the circular economy, taxonomy, green public procurement, and industrial policy. Agreements have also been signed with CEOE Campus, CEOnet, and CEPYME to expand cooperation and support for member companies.
The Association also highlighted progress made by its working groups, with particular reference to Energy Saving Certificates (CAEs). AER outlined the steps taken to assess how retreading fits within this system, including analysis of a French model that recognises the value of retreading as part of efficient tyre management.
Presentations Address Industry Policy and Public Procurement
Following the Assembly, the anniversary event continued with three presentations addressing industrial policy, institutional support, and green public procurement.
Lucas Galera, Head of Service at the Subdirectorate General for Industrial Quality and Safety of the Ministry of Industry and Tourism, spoke about the current status and challenges facing the retreading sector. José Manuel Prieto, Subdirector General, also participated in the session, which addressed regulatory, industrial, and competitiveness issues affecting the sector.
Cristina Riestra, Director of the Department of Industry, Energy, Environment, and Climate at CEOE, outlined the mechanisms, projects, commissions, and working groups through which CEOE supports industrial sectors, including the recycled tyres sector. Riestra highlighted the role of these platforms in strengthening dialogue, communicating shared positions, and building alliances on key industrial issues.
Elena Galante, Director of the Spanish Observatory of Circular Economy and Managing Partner of The Blue Planet, presented a working draft prepared jointly with AER on promoting retreaded tyres in green public procurement. The presentation addressed the importance of public administrations integrating circular economy criteria into procurement procedures and recognising retreaded tyres as a safe, industrial, and environmentally beneficial option.
Founders Recognised
AER also presented awards to the Association’s founders and first presidents, Salvador Pérez and Jesús Mesas, in recognition of their contribution to the organisation and to the Spanish retreading sector.
The Association said its history could not be understood without the work of those who helped establish it and contributed to the sector’s stability and continuity. AER thanked Pérez and Mesas for their commitment and contribution to retreading in Spain.
New Phase for AER
During the Assembly, AER also outlined its intention to update its branding and statutes to reflect sector development and the current structure of the recycled tyre value chain.
Pérez said the Association was entering a new phase in which it would continue to represent retreading while also reflecting the wider tyre lifecycle, including maintenance, efficient fleet management, retreading, recycling, and material recovery.
AER stated that recycled tyres should be given a stronger position in industrial and environmental policies. The Association called for further progress on green public procurement, collaboration with public administrations, the inclusion of the sector in major European regulatory discussions, and the continued development of a more diverse and representative Association.
The anniversary event concluded with a cocktail reception for members, guests, and institutional representatives. AER said the occasion reflected both the work carried out over the past three decades and the sector’s intention to continue strengthening its role within the tyre value chain.
