Kuwait explores used tires as alternative fuel source

• Government calls for cutting used tires, converting them into fuel, and then using them in factory furnaces instead of fossil fuels (oil or coal). This approach significantly benefits the environment

• Qualified factories can burn solid waste in their furnaces and initially use alternative fuels or used tires at 40%, aiming for 100% within five years, based on global experience.

• Used tires can be recycled by cutting them into chips and disposing of them through environmentally friendly ‘burning’ in factories.

As part of government initiatives to lower local energy consumption rates, authorities are exploring the utilization of used tires as an alternative energy source in industries. This approach aims to achieve a dual benefit by reducing industrial energy usage while also addressing the issue of used tire accumulation, thereby contributing to solving the tire crisis.

In detail, responsible sources revealed to Al-Rai newspaper that the vision in this regard calls for cutting used tires, converting them into fuel, and then using them in factory furnaces instead of fossil fuels (oil or coal). This approach significantly benefits the environment.

The study pointed out that the factories qualified to use alternative fuels or used tires to produce their goods have furnaces capable of burning solid waste.

According to global experience, these factories can initially consume alternative fuels at a rate of 40 percent, with the goal of reaching 100 percent within five years.

2.26 million registered vehicles in Kuwait

The study indicated that by 2020-end, there were 2.26 million registered vehicles in Kuwait, including 1.86 million small cars and 364 thousand trucks/buses, totaling 9.5 million tires.

The study assumes that if 50 percent of used tires are replaced annually, there will be 4.7 million tires per year, equating to 13,000 tires daily. Using used tires as fuel for factories helps significantly reduce the accumulation of waste tires, with the effectiveness depending on the level of reliance on them.
Sources explained that used tires can be recycled by cutting them into chips and disposing of them through environmentally friendly ‘burning’ in factories.

They mentioned a successful experience in Germany in 2016, which was witnessed by the then representative of the Public Authority for Industry. They also noted that the tire-cutting process began in Kuwait in 2019. From August 14 of that year until August 30, 2021, six million tires were shredded.

Daily production of locally cut tires hit 10,000

The presented study revealed that the daily production of locally cut tires amounts to 10,000, totaling 250,000 per month and three million annually. It also highlighted several logistical needs for the success of this trend, which can be summarized in two scenarios.

The first scenario targets three million tires and includes:

1. A permanent location in the designated area for storing used tires in the Salmi area, covering an area of 50,000 square meters.
2. A permanent location for storing tires in the Mina Abdullah area, covering an area of 50,000 square meters.
3. Electrical current capacity of 4,000 kilowatts/415 volts.
4. A capacity of subsidized diesel of three million liters per month.
5. Production commencement within three months of site handover.

If the target is six million tires annually, the following provisions are necessary:

1. A permanent location in the designated area for storing used tires in the Salmi area, covering an area of 100,000 square meters.
2. A permanent location for storing tires in the Mina Abdullah area, covering an area of 50,000 square meters.
3. Electrical current capacity of 6,000 kilowatts/415 volts.
4. A capacity of subsidized diesel of six million liters per month.
5. Production commencement within 12 months of site handover.

59 million tons of used tires

According to a visual presentation from the Environment Public Authority regarding the optimal handling of the site of damaged and used ‘spent’ tires in the Salmi area, it is evident that the issue of these tires poses one of the largest challenges for the Authority due to their detrimental impact on the environment and the environmental issues that arise from their accumulation.

The quantity of used tires is estimated to be about 59 million tons, based on data from the General Administration of Customs for the year 2022.

The Environment Agency recommended swift removal and disposal of these damaged and used tires, alongside proposing radical solutions to tackle the problem.

They also suggested taking appropriate and sufficient measures to enable the use of used tires as fuel for cement factories and other eligible sectors.

Additionally, it was recommended that the municipality furnish the Council of Ministers with a report detailing the progress in this matter, along with necessary recommendations and requirements. This would involve coordination among the Environment Agency, the Industry Authority, and relevant bodies to devise comprehensive solutions aimed at ending the accumulation of damaged tires in the Salmi area.

This coordination would also involve the Fatwa and Legislation Department in determining the government entity responsible for the tires’ disposal and treatment.