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The Mitsubishi Chemical Group (MCG Group) announced that it has launched studies to perform chemical recycling of end-of-life tires (ELTs) by utilizing the coke ovens at its Kagawa Plant (Sakaide City, Kagawa Prefecture). The MCG Group aims to begin marketing sustainable carbon black made from ELTs by March 2026. Along with the accelerating trend in the tire industry toward using sustainable raw materials, there is a growing need to use recycled carbon black, one of the main raw materials and a rubber reinforcing agent used in tires.

Weibold is pleased to support the 29th annual Chemfest—REACT 2024-25, organized by the Department of Chemistry at S.P. Mandali’s Ramnarain Ruia Autonomous College. This year’s festival is themed "Viksit Bharat" (Developed India) with a special focus on "AI in Chemistry," reflecting the dynamic intersection of artificial intelligence and chemical sciences.

Pyrum Innovations AG, in collaboration with Schwalbe, has reached a significant milestone in their tire recycling program, with 1,000,000 bicycle tires successfully collected, recycled, and reintroduced into the material cycle. This achievement highlights the effective partnership between the two companies in advancing sustainable solutions within the circular economy.

Recycled carbon black, crucial for tire stability and durability, helps reduce reliance on fossil fuels and lower CO2 emissions. Continental is committed to a closed-loop recycling system, where end-of-life tires become raw materials for new products, aligning with its long-term sustainability strategy to achieve 100% sustainable materials in tires by 2050.

End-of-life tires represent a significant global waste problem. Their robust structural and chemical properties pose challenges for traditional recycling methods. With 1.5 billion tires manufactured annually, the environmental impact is substantial, with each tire contributing approximately 300 kg of CO2 emissions. The increase in tire production, driven by the rise of electric vehicles, underscores the urgency for effective recycling strategies. Waste tires are not only difficult to dispose of but also pose environmental hazards when dumped or incinerated. Traditional disposal methods like open dumping and incineration lead to issues such as fire hazards, mosquito breeding grounds, and the release of harmful pollutants.

On July 30, 2024, Pyrum Innovations AG (Pyrum) and Continental signed a framework agreement for the long-term purchase of Pyrum’s recovered Carbon Black (rCB). The agreement covers the rCB purchase quantities for at least two Pyrum plants, with a term of ten years. Continental will also supply Pyrum with end-of-life tires. In addition, Continental has agreed to make an advance payment for future rCB deliveries.

Michelin, one of the leading tire supplier for electric vehicles (EVs) in the U.S., is striving for fewer but better tires. EVs wear out tires faster due to their weight and torque, posing a challenge. Michelin aims to produce longer-lasting, environmentally friendly tires. By 2030, they plan to have 40% renewable and recyclable materials in their tires, and 100% by 2050. At a recent summit, Michelin showcased high-content sustainable material tires, set to go into production in 2025. These tires feature recycled steel, carbon black from end-of-life tires, and silica from rice husks, aiming to reduce environmental impact.

The next BIR World Recycling Convention and Exhibition will take place from (26) 27 – 29 May 2024 in Copenhagen. The recycling market has been rocked by the European Commission’s decision to ban crumb rubber infill from use in synthetic turf surfaces at the end of an eight-year transition period. Therefore, the focus has shifted to alternative opportunities, with tyre pyrolysis attracting plenty of headlines, investment and imaginative thinking. Given the huge strides forward taken in this field over recent years, it will again form one of the main topics for debate at the upcoming BIR Tyres & Rubber Committee meeting to take place in Copenhagen on Tuesday May 28.

On 15 April, EuRIC’s tyre recycling event “Reinventing the Wheel: Advancing tyre recycling”, brought together all the value chain stakeholders to address tyre circularity challenges and collaborate on opportunities for increased material recovery in the EU. Held in Brussels, the event emphasised the significant untapped potential for tyre circularity. Key requirements include improved ecodesign of tyres, mandatory recycled content targets either in new tyres or other applications, and chemical legislation for recycled materials from tyres based on risk assessment rather than the precautionary principle, all fostered by harmonised EU-wide End-of-Waste criteria.