EKOPAN

The massive production of tyres and the difficulties in disposing of them after use has been one of the most serious environmental problems worldwide in recent years. The EKOPAN project was seeking to address the existing problems by re-using tyres in the manufacture of an ordinary construction element like roadway noise barriers. This project was in line with the principles laid down in the current European Parliament Directive (Directive 2006/12/EC) on waste, in which the upcycling and use of waste as raw materials are encouraged in order to preserve natural resources.  Specifically, the EKOPAN project had been setting out to fill the gap between the development of the acoustic panel and the mass production and marketing phase. Thus, it was focussing on optimizing the manufacturing process on an industrial scale, validating the mechanical and acoustic properties, and conducting a market study that will facilitate the penetration of the new product.