wdk calls for stronger political support for the tire circular economy

Frankfurt am Main, 6 November 2025 – Germany’s end-of-life tire (ELT) circular economy is functioning, but urgently requires political support. This is demonstrated by the latest figures presented today in Frankfurt am Main by the German Rubber Manufacturers Association (wdk). According to the association, ELT collectors and recyclers continue to face declining volumes in the domestic market.

“Last year, the volume of end-of-life tires with an unknown final destination amounted to around 100,000 tonnes. It is suspected that these—and likely much larger quantities—were exported to countries outside the EU, where they are burned or used in pyrolysis under poor health and environmental conditions,” said Stephan Rau, Technical Managing Director at wdk. As a result, these tires are being diverted away from German recyclers and from a meaningful, sustainable circular economy.

Rau advocated for Germany to introduce a system to track end-of-life tire volumes and their recovery pathways. “The wdk, together with other associations and organizations, has been calling for such a measure for some time. It would be straightforward to implement and would clearly strengthen the circular economy. However, political will is needed to support and promote a functioning recycling system.” He referred to the newly published statistics, which show that in 2024 a total of 533,000 tonnes of end-of-life tires were generated in Germany. Of these, 193,000 tonnes—more than twice the amount thermally recovered by the cement industry—were processed into granulate and rubber powder.

Press release by wdk.