The European Rubber Journal reports that South Korea’s Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment has announced plans to invest KRW48 billion, or about €30 million, in research and development for higher-value recycling of end-of-life tires and increased use of recovered carbon black in new tire production. The initiative is part of a broader KRW73 billion national R&D program, announced on July 2, that will run through 2030 and focus on improving the circular use of waste tires and discarded clothing. For the tire sector, the program aims to reduce reliance on lower-value thermal recovery routes by supporting technologies that can produce higher-quality rCB through pretreatment before pyrolysis and enable tire manufacturers to incorporate at least 15% recovered carbon black into new tire compounds. The initiative also comes as Korean manufacturers prepare for future EU ecodesign requirements affecting tires.

Program targets higher-value tire recycling

According to the ministry, more than 60% of waste tires generated in South Korea are currently recycled into thermal products such as solid recovered fuel. Only a small share is converted into recovered carbon black for use in new tire production. The government said the new R&D program is intended to support a shift toward higher-value recycling by producing recycled raw materials that can be used in manufacturing rather than mainly in energy-related applications.

Recovered carbon black quality remains a key challenge

The ministry said current durability limitations make it difficult to use more than 5% recovered carbon black in new tire compounds. Under the program, government support will focus on technologies that improve rCB quality by pretreating waste tires before pyrolysis. Better feedstock preparation and improved processing could help produce recovered carbon black with properties more suitable for tire manufacturing, where reinforcement performance, consistency and compound durability are critical.

Tire manufacturing technologies to support 15% rCB use

The program will also support the development of tire manufacturing technologies capable of using at least 15% recovered carbon black. Achieving this target would require not only improved rCB quality but also compound formulation, processing and validation work to ensure that tire performance requirements are maintained. The ministry said the objective is to establish a circular utilization system for waste tires by commercializing products based on higher-value recycled raw materials.

Pyrolysis linked to circular raw material production

The initiative highlights the role of pyrolysis in tire recycling strategies aimed at producing recovered carbon black and other tire-derived materials. In tire pyrolysis, end-of-life tires can be converted into outputs such as rCB, tire-derived oil, gas and steel, depending on the process and downstream upgrading. South Korea’s program focuses on improving the quality of recovered carbon black so that it can be used more widely in new tire production and support tire-to-tire circularity.

EU ecodesign rules influence industry preparation

The ministry said the project will also help Korean manufacturers prepare for the EU’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation. Tires have been identified as a priority product group under the EU ecodesign framework, with adoption expected in the first half of 2027 and application from the second half of 2028. Future requirements may affect tire design, recycled material use, durability, recyclability and sustainability reporting, making early development of higher-quality recycled inputs increasingly important for tire producers serving European markets.

National R&D program runs through 2030

The KRW48 billion tire recycling initiative forms part of a wider KRW73 billion national R&D effort covering both waste tires and discarded clothing. For end-of-life tires, the program is expected to support technology development, commercialization and circular economy infrastructure by encouraging more advanced recycling pathways. If successful, the initiative could help expand demand for recovered carbon black, improve the value of pyrolysis outputs and strengthen South Korea’s position in sustainable tire materials.

To learn more, please read the full original article by the European Rubber Journal.