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Recent updates from the AZuR network point to continued momentum in the development of Europe’s circular tyre economy, with a focus on tire recycling technologies, infrastructure applications, and international knowledge exchange.

The Tire Recycling Foundation announced the launch of the Tire Recycling Foundation Awards, a national recognition program honoring organizations, teams, and individuals who are advancing tire recycling technologies, expanding end-use markets, and demonstrating leadership in sustainability and circular economy principles. These awards highlight the people and partnerships turning challenges into opportunities, building markets, driving innovation, and shaping a more sustainable future for scrap tire management across the United States.

VTTI B.V., an industry leader in energy infrastructure, has opened a market consultation for recovered carbon black (rCB) as part of the VTTI TyreLoop Antwerp project at its existing terminal VTTI Antwerp, Belgium. The initiative marks an important milestone in VTTI’s commitment to addressing the global waste challenge and supporting the energy transition.

For decades, carbon black has been one of Europe’s most heavily used industrial materials—found in tires, plastics, inks, coatings, and countless engineered products. Its manufacturing has historically been dominated by a small number of global players using the well-established furnace black process. As a result, the regulatory identity of carbon black under REACH seemed fixed, stable, and largely uncontested.

The 5th European Carbon Black Summit, taking place on 3–4 December 2025 in Prague, will bring industry leaders together to discuss a central issue for the sector: the evolving balance between virgin and recovered carbon black (rCB) in Europe’s changing market landscape. This is a final call for those wishing to join the discussions.

The tyre and rubber industry across the Asia-Pacific region is currently undergoing one of the most significant transformations in its history, driven by new regulatory frameworks, expanding recycling capacity, and the growing adoption of circular materials. The upcoming Green Tyre Summit 2026, taking place in Bangkok on 28–29 January, will bring together policymakers, manufacturers, recyclers, and technology providers to examine how the region is progressing toward a more sustainable and circular tyre economy.

Hankook Tire & Technology has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Rotoboost, a Finnish company specializing in thermocatalytic methane decomposition, to jointly develop low-carbon carbon materials for use in tires. The agreement was formalized on 20 November at Rotoboost’s China office in Shanghai.

Pyrum Innovations AG and SUAS Ecology s.r.o. have a Shareholder agreement for the joint venture „SUAS reTIRE s.r.o.“ in the Czech Republic. Under the terms of the agreement, Pyrum is taking a 49 % stake in the equity of the new joint venture, which will develop, build and operate a state-of-the-art recycling plant in the Czech Republic provides. By successfully securing its equity share of around € 8.6 million, Pyrum has taken an important step towards full project financing. Another major milestone is the Conclusion of a long-term oil purchase agreement over ten years for the pyrolysis oil produced at the future plant – a strong signal of confidence in Pyrum’s technology and the future viability of the project.

On November 17, 2025, Tyre Stewardship Australia (TSA) and Tyrewise New Zealand (Tyrewise) announced the formation of the Trans-Tasman Tyre Recycling Alliance (TTRA), a groundbreaking regional body dedicated to advancing circular economy outcomes for end-of-life tyres across Australia and New Zealand. Jointly funded by TSA and Tyrewise, the alliance will operate as an independent entity, while both founding organisations maintain their separate national schemes. TTRA’s mission is to foster regional collaboration, drive innovation, facilitate knowledge exchange, and elevate industry standards initially across the Tasman region, with plans to expand engagement to our pacific neighbours in the near future.