The European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers’ Association (ETRMA) welcomes the European Recycling Industries' Confederation (EuRIC) efforts to support a stronger circular economy in Europe. ETRMA agrees that tyre recycling plays a vital role in this transition, and we share the ambition to improve tyre recycling in Europe.

Thanks to the efforts of the tyre value chain during the last 25 years, the logistical issue of the collection of End-of-Life Tyres (ELTs) has been solved through the set-up of ELT Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes in most Member States resulting in the availability of the valuable materials contained in tyres for recycling. During this period the material recovery from ELTs has increased from 10% to 60% annually in Europe. Today, all tyres are collected and treated resulting in a current 97% treatment rate across Europe. In 2024, a total of 3,9 million tonnes of ELTs were generated in Europe.

However, there are specific challenges linked to recycling ELTs. Moving forward together means shaping rules, supporting innovation, and creating market conditions that reflect the unique nature of our materials and products. To improve circularity, ETRMA believes that:

  • Europe's ELT recycling sector should be supported without an export ban: A risk-based framework that rewards high-performing recycling operations—regardless of geography—is preferable to arbitrary export bans, which could create bottlenecks without strong EU-based end markets.
  • Europe’s ELT recycling industry needs to grow by boosting demand for recycled materials: To scale up capacity, the sector requires harmonised end-of-waste criteria, clear quality standards, and public procurement measures that create market pull for recycled materials.
  • Targets suggested for recycled rubber in new tyres (10% suggested) are purely speculative: Mandating fixed content targets is premature; the focus should be on enabling the necessary investment, standards, and innovation to support credible, market-driven goals.

Read ETRMA response to EURIC Manifesto for a competitive tyre sector.

Press release by ETRMA.