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When Europe adopted the Renewable Energy Directive III (RED III) in June 2023, few outside the energy policy sphere anticipated how consequential the reform would be for niche industries. Yet, for producers of Tire-Derived Pyrolysis Oil (TPO), RED III is more than legislative housekeeping; it's a turning point that transforms a once-marginal circular fuel into a recognized contributor to Europe's decarbonization ambitions.

In Barcelona, Spain across the 4-6 November 2025 the Recovered Carbon Black Europe conference, promises to be an exceptional gathering of industry leaders, innovators and experts, all converging to explore the latest advancements and breakthroughs in the dynamic realm of recovered carbon black. Organised by Smithers, this eagerly anticipated event is proud to announce the 2025 full agenda. With presentations from Continental Tires, Circtec, Bolder Industries, Contec, BASF, Cabot Corporation, Birla Carbon, Orion Engineered Carbons and many more.

Each year, well over a billion tires worldwide reach the end of their life. Many of these discarded tires still accumulate in landfills or are burned for a one-time energy gain, creating pollution and wasting valuable materials. Tire pyrolysis, a form of chemical recycling, breaks down end-of-life tires (ELT) into useful products like oil (TPO), gas, and recovered carbon black (rCB). Across the globe – and especially in Europe and the United States – evolving legal frameworks are transforming tire-derived pyrolysis oil (TPO) into a strategic commodity. New laws and policies on both sides of the Atlantic are beginning to treat TPO as a sought-after resource for fuels and petrochemicals. This shift in perspective is driving a wave of investment and innovation in ELT (end-of-life tire) pyrolysis, positioning it as a crucial component in the puzzle of the circular economy.

The U.S. compliance fuel market is undergoing a pivotal shift – from volume mandates to carbon performance. Tire- and plastic-derived pyrolysis oils (TPO & PPO) are now emerging as competitive low-carbon fuel options under key programs like the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS).

Murfitts Industries and tyre giant Michelin have announced a project to process old tyres, recovering the energy and materials within them. As part of the project, Murfitts, the UK’s largest tyre recycling company, has submitted plans to set up a tyre reprocessing site at Michelin’s Stoke-on-Trent premises. The “cutting-edge” process developed by Murfitts will reportedly generate energy which will be used to power Michelin’s production on site, thereby lowering CO2 emissions from the factory by 1,500 tonnes per year. In addition to the energy recovered, the process will also produce recovered carbon black (rCB) and tyre pyrolysis oil (TPO).

Contec S.A. has announced the successful deliveries of multiple shipments of tire pyrolysis oil (ConPyro®) to Orion S.A. (NYSE: OEC), marking a significant early milestone in the long-term collaboration between the two companies. These initial shipments were made possible by processing significant quantities of end-of-life tires using Contec’s proprietary Molten® technology.

Prismore Capital, BDI-BioEnergy International GmbH, and JR New Horizons (the investment arm of the Rieckermann Group) have joined forces to acquire Grupo BB&G’s advanced tire pyrolysis technology. The acquisition includes patents, operational know-how, a demonstration plant located in Portugal, and an existing collaboration with major industry players, including Bridgestone EMEA and Versalis (ENI).

The Government of Gujarat, through the State Pollution Control Board (GPCB), has officially approved the establishment of continuous tyre pyrolysis plants for the production of tyre pyrolysis oil (TPO) and recovered carbon black (RCB). This marks the end of a 13-year ban on such operations, previously imposed due to environmental and public health concerns. The approval is seen as a significant milestone for the tyre recycling sector, particularly in one of India's most industrialised states.

The German Rubber Industry Association (WDK) is urging European and national lawmakers to implement a harmonized and legally binding End-of-Waste (EoW) framework for used tires and recycled rubber materials. The call is part of a broader push to strengthen the circular economy in the tire and rubber sector, reduce regulatory uncertainty, and facilitate investment in recycling infrastructure.