Aliapur has referred France’s 25 March 2026 decree on light vehicle tire retreading to the Council of State, arguing that the new measure could place additional financial pressure on the country’s end-of-life tire management system while delivering uncertain environmental benefits.

The French extended producer responsibility (EPR) organization said it informed the General Directorate for Risk Prevention before filing the appeal.

According to Aliapur, the French tire collection and recovery sector has developed an established operating model over the past two decades, collecting approximately 500,000 tonnes of end-of-life tires annually while exceeding targets for reuse and recycling.

New retreading fee under scrutiny

The decree introduces a new financing obligation of €6 per retreaded tire for light vehicles, which Aliapur estimates could represent approximately €15 million in additional costs for the sector.

Aliapur said the regulation is based on environmental benefits that it believes have not been sufficiently demonstrated and includes industrial targets that may be difficult for the market to achieve under current conditions.

The organization’s appeal is based on several concerns, including:

  • Lack of a complete and substantiated impact assessment
  • Uncertain environmental efficiency
  • Potential economic distortion favoring a concentrated market
  • Industrial targets viewed as disconnected from existing production capacity

Debate over future tire recycling strategies

The dispute reflects wider discussions within the European tire sector over how best to allocate investment and regulatory support between retreading, material recovery, and advanced recycling technologies.

Aliapur noted that several European countries are increasing investment in closed-loop tire recycling systems, including pyrolysis, which can recover materials such as recovered carbon black (rCB), tire-derived oil, recovered steel, and pyrolysis char from end-of-life tires.

Advanced recycling technologies are increasingly being explored as part of broader sustainability and circular economy strategies within the tire and rubber industries.

According to Aliapur, additional financial burdens on the sector could weaken the economic sustainability of existing collection and recovery systems. The organization cited agricultural silage tires as one area where costs could rise significantly under the new framework.

Focus on sustainability and enforcement

Aliapur said future policy priorities should focus on supporting scalable recycling technologies, strengthening enforcement against eco-contribution fraud, and maintaining an economically sustainable EPR system.

The organization added that it remains available to work with public authorities on long-term industrial and environmental strategies for the French tire sector.

Aliapur stated it will not comment further on the legal proceedings while the matter is under review by the administrative court.

Article source: Aliapur.