News: Tire Recycling & Pyrolysis

In just two weeks, the Forum Compraverde Buygreen 2025 will take place in Rome, featuring the RE-PLAN Workshop as part of the programme. On 13 May, ahead of the forum, you will also have the unique opportunity to participate in on-site visits to the Centro Fulvio Bernardini, a pioneering example of Recycled Tyre Materials (RTMs) in sports infrastructure.

LD Carbon, a resource recycling startup founded in 2017, has opened Korea’s first and largest end-of-life tire (ELT) pyrolysis facility in Dangjin. Every year, South Korea generates approximately 400,000 tons of ELTs, creating significant waste management challenges. Unlike conventional methods, LD Carbon uses advanced technology to transform pyrolysis byproducts into recovered carbon black (rCB), used in the production of new tires.

The Nomination Committee of Scandinavian Enviro Systems (Enviro) has proposed Ewa Björling as new member and Chairman of the Board of directors of Enviro. Ewa Björling is currently serving as a member of the board of directors of several companies, including Essity and Nynäs.

Tyre Stewardship Australia (TSA) welcomes the findings of the Australian Senate Inquiry’s report ‘No Time to Waste’ (the Report). Commending the Senate Committee and its Chair Senator Whish-Wilson for making sense of Australia’s current policies and regulations, Ms Goodman said:

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.

A recent technical overview from Reoil Sp. z o.o., distributed by HARKE GROUP, evaluates the feasibility of using recovered carbon black (rCB) in printing ink formulations. Derived via pyrolysis of end-of-life tires, this rCB offers sustainability advantages by reducing reliance on virgin carbon black and lowering overall carbon emissions. The material also presents cost efficiency, making it an attractive option for large-scale ink production.

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.