Anssi Takala, the new CEO of Finnish Tire Recycling: “Chemical recycling is making its mark”

Anssi Takala, the new CEO of Finnish Tyre Recycling, sees development accelerating further as pyrolysis and domestic secondary raw materials take over the sector.

“The operating environment for tire recycling is in a surprisingly dynamic phase,” says the director, who took up his position in September. Anssi Takala, who served as the company's chief operating officer for a year before taking on his new position.

“Chemical recycling, or pyrolysis, is making its mark, and the Loppe circular economy plant is producing increasing amounts of products for its customers.”

According to Takala, the reuse of tires has developed rapidly in recent years.

Finnish Tire Recycling Ltd. refines Finish end-of-life tires into secondary raw materials that are used in the rubber and plastics industry, thereby reducing the need for virgin materials.

Risto Tuominen will retire in early winter

Former long-term CEO of tire recycling Risto Tuominen will continue to work for the company until the end of January and then retire.

Chairman of the board of the company Paul Mikkola would like to thank Tuominen for his 15-year contribution and highlight this pioneering work in developing tire recycling and reuse.

“During Tuominen’s tenure, Tyre Recycling has grown from a small office to a pioneer in the circular economy and a strong player,” Mikkola describes.

During Tuominen's tenure, the company's operational activities were transferred to its own organization, and the company's own circular economy plant was launched in Loppi in 2023.

30 years of tire recycling

Tire industry players founded Suomen Rengaskierrätys oy to take care of the collection and recycling of tires on behalf of their members. The year of establishment was 1995.

When Risto Tuominen started his work, the company had a few dozen collection points where people could return their tires free of charge.

“Now the number of them is over 3, and practically every tire that enters the Finnish market is utilized as secondary raw material,” says Tuominen.

Last year, 63 tons of tires were collected in Finland. In addition to rubber, metals and fibers are also separated from tires for reuse.

Text: Päivi Ikonen, Kemiamedia.fi

Photo: Finnish Tyre Recycling. Anssi Takala, the new CEO of Finnish Tyre Recycling, has also worked in management positions at Stena Recycling, Encore Environmental Services and Kuusakoski.