The Alliance for the Future of Tires (AZuR) has officially launched the LOOP THE TIRE 2026 startup competition, calling on innovators across Europe to rethink tires, close material loops, and help shape a sustainable future for the tire and tire recycling industry. Applications are now open, with a deadline of May 15, 2026.

The competition is built around a simple but powerful idea: end-of-life tires should not mark the end of value, but the beginning of new circular solutions. AZuR is seeking forward-thinking concepts that extend tire lifecycles, reduce emissions, and keep valuable raw materials—such as rubber, steel, and carbon black—in continuous use.

Innovation meets circular economy in the tire sector

LOOP THE TIRE 2026 is designed as a European platform for startups, students, researchers, engineers, and industry practitioners to present ideas that can transform how tires are designed, managed, reused, and recycled. The competition is open to:

  • Startups founded within the last two years or currently in formation
  • Students, graduates, researchers, university teams, and practitioners
  • Innovators from environmental technology, engineering, IT, logistics, design, and business

The focus is firmly on circular economy solutions for tires, including tire recycling, retreading, repair, digitalization, and new sustainable materials.

What kind of ideas is AZuR looking for?

AZuR is inviting concepts and projects that challenge existing structures and deliver measurable environmental impact. Relevant areas include:

  • Retreading and repair solutions: automation, digital tools, and service innovations
  • Sustainable materials: alternatives to conventional rubber, fillers, and processing aids
  • Tire recycling technologies: mechanical recycling, chemical recycling, pyrolysis, or novel hybrid approaches
  • Sorting and separation processes: improving material recovery from end-of-life tires
  • Digital tire and fleet management systems: transparency, efficiency, and lifecycle tracking
  • New circular business models: enabling closed-loop tire value chains

Whether focused on tire recycling, recovered carbon black, or extending tire life before recycling, the competition aims to surface ideas that genuinely reduce waste and emissions.

Strong incentives and industry visibility

The three winning projects will each receive €6,000 in prize money, along with extensive industry exposure and long-term support, including:

    Two years of free AZuR partnership

  • Presentation opportunities at THE TIRE COLOGNE 2026
  • Direct access to AZuR’s network of more than 80 partners from industry, science, and trade
  • Media coverage in trade publications and at industry events
  • Participation in AZuR scientific colloquia and expert forums

This combination of funding, visibility, and networking is designed to help promising ideas transition from concept to real-world implementation in the tire recycling and circular economy landscape.

How to Apply

Applicants must submit their materials by May 15, 2026. Required documents include:

  • A project description (maximum 5 pages) or a pitch deck (maximum 15 slides)
  • Team or startup background information
  • Optional short video introducing the idea
  • All applications will be reviewed by a jury of recognized experts from research and industry, ensuring both technical depth and market relevance.

From startup idea to industry impact: BEAR Machines

AZuR highlights BEAR Machines as a successful example of what the program can enable. The startup developed the BEAR-CUT, a semi-automated tire regrooving machine that significantly extends tire life, reduces raw material consumption, and lowers CO₂ emissions. With support from the AZuR network, BEAR Machines has grown into a recognized innovator in the tire lifecycle sector.

Driving the future of tire recycling

With LOOP THE TIRE 2026, AZuR aims to accelerate the shift from a linear tire economy toward a fully circular tire and recycling ecosystem. By connecting innovators with industry, research, and policymakers, the initiative seeks to turn ideas into scalable solutions—keeping tires, rubber, and carbon in the loop and out of landfill.

For those ready to take responsibility and actively shape the future of tire recycling and sustainability, now is the time to apply.

For more information about how to apply, proceed to AZuR.