According to the press release by American Recycler, the U.S. generates around 300 million scrap tires annually, with many repurposed as ground material rubber. The industry is transitioning, favoring increased use of ground tire rubber in molded goods and landscaping mulch.

John Sheerin, director, End-of-Life Tire Programs at the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA), sais that the tire recycling industry is in a state of transition. As he explained, there is a distinct trend towards increased utilization of ground tire rubber in new products like molded and extruded goods and landscaping mulch.

“Further growth in rubber modified asphalt is expected,” Sheerin said. “However, continuing movement towards non-solid fuels have adversely impacted tirederived fuel markets that historically have consumed the majority of scrap tires since the 1990s. So, we are seeing a shift towards more material reuse. The last 12 months have seen a return to normalcy after the global pandemic with in-person meetings and compliance inspections resuming. We are seeing more activity.”

Tire recycling faces challenges balancing demand, timely services, and regulatory requirements. Factors like rising energy costs and construction booms impact end markets, and inflationary costs affect production. The growth in scrap tire generation outpaces recycling markets, emphasizing the need for sustainable solutions. Ongoing innovations aim to make tire recycling more efficient, but challenges persist. he industry's future outlook remains positive, driven by a shift towards sustainable and circular recycling markets.

Read the full article here.