News: Tire Recycling & Pyrolysis

The Tyre Recovery Association (TRA) today welcomed the announcement of a Westminster Hall debate on the critical issue of end-of-life tyres (ELTs) and recycling. The debate, secured by Tessa Munt, MP for Wells and Mendip Hills, is scheduled to take place at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, 29 April. It comes at a crucial time, following increased scrutiny of the sector after the BBC's File on 4 documentary, The Tyre Scandal, which exposed the environmental damage caused by UK waste tyres being burnt in India.

The growing issue of tire waste has driven major advancements in recycling and sustainability practices. Ben Chouchouci of the Windsor Industrial Development Laboratory (WIDL) discusses how innovative methods, such as computer-based simulations and optimized product designs, are leading the way in turning scrap tires into valuable materials. Thanks to new regulations and recycling efforts, about 85% of tires in the U.S. are now recycled for energy or material recovery.

A recent article published by Rubber World Magazine discusses a study focused on optimizing zinc oxide (ZnO) usage in passenger car radial tire compounds to mitigate environmental impact. Zinc oxide, while essential for rubber vulcanization, is known for its environmental persistence and potential toxicity.

RE-PLAN invites you to take part in the upcoming Forum Compraverde Buygreen 2025 in Rome, as well as an on-site visit organized within the framework of the RE-PLAN Project. On May 13, participants are welcome to join a visit to the Fulvio Bernardini Sports Center—an example of best practice in circular economy through the use of Recycled Tyre Materials (RTMs) in sports infrastructure.

Smithers has successfully held Tomorrow's Tire in 2019 and 2022 and Sustainability in Tires 2023 & 2024 in China. More than 500 delegates participated in the past conferences. Sustainability in Tires 2025 will again gather industry professionals and stakeholders in the global tire industry to discuss the latest trends, future outlook, innovative materials and technologies, EV tires, circular economy and sustainable development, end-of-life tires, and more.

On April 8, the Continental Executive Board has decided to make the ContiTech group sector independent. The preparatory phase that now follows will involve analyzing and assessing the possible transaction forms for independence and drawing up a timetable for implementation. The Executive Board will decide on this in the next step. As things stand, Continental considers a sale of ContiTech to be the most likely option.

Phibro rCB – a Natchez-based company (Mississippi, USA) that employs proprietary technology to convert end-of-life tires into renewable carbon black and renewable oils – has completed a major rail infrastructure upgrade in partnership with Natchez Railway. The enhanced rail access will improve transportation of the company’s main products: carbon black and tire pyrolysis oil.

According to Bloomberg, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. may benefit from U.S. tariffs on car imports, as the company sources much of its demand from domestic automakers and tires currently fall outside the scope of the planned duties. Deutsche Bank has upgraded Goodyear’s stock rating from “hold” to “buy,” citing improved cost management and favorable positioning.

Kal Tire is redefining sustainable practices in the mining sector through its advanced recycling facility in Antofagasta, Chile, which focuses on the recovery of ultra-class mining tires. Opened in 2021, the plant uses a proprietary thermal conversion process that transforms end-of-life tires into valuable resources such as alternative fuel, high-tensile steel, and recovered carbon black (rCB).