News: Tire Recycling & Pyrolysis

ASTM International’s recovered carbon black (rCB) committee (D36) is advancing work on a new standard that could greatly improve production process monitoring and productivity for rCB manufacturers. The proposed method, known as WK91069, is being developed within the committee’s recovered carbon black subcommittee (D36.10). According to ASTM member Pieter ter Haar, director of rCB at Circtec, the standard addresses one of the industry’s key challenges: long testing times.

Seoul, Korea, August 1, 2025 — Global leading tire company Hankook Tire & Technology (Hankook Tire) has released its 2024/25 ESG Report, which outlines its sustainability initiatives, performance, and strategic direction for the future over the past year. Now in its 16th edition, this year's report offers a multidimensional view of Hankook Tire's sustainability practices from the past year based on its global ESG vision encompassing: Eco Value Chain, Sustainable Product, Responsible Engagement.

Bridgestone Australia continues to expand its business despite market pressures from low-cost imports and a relatively stagnant national vehicle fleet. The company is investing heavily in digital sales, logistics, and sustainability while maintaining its role in tyre stewardship.

On August 15, The Tyre Recovery Association (TRA) released a five-step action plan, titled ‘Road to Reform’ to provide a clear and systematic approach to remedying the shortcomings identified in the Environment Agency’s (EA) recent review of waste tyre exports. The TRA welcomed the report’s release last month, as a significant milestone and is committed to working with the government to deliver on these reforms and stop the illegal diversion of British waste tyres to damaging pyrolysis plants in countries like India.

Arrigoni Ambiental NFU SpA has become one of the leading players in Chile’s end-of-life tyre (ELT) recovery sector, positioning itself as a regional model for circular economy solutions. Founded in 2019, the company was established through an alliance between the Arrigoni business group and pioneers in pyrolysis technologies.

Dave Abdallah of Abdallah Consulting will present “Understanding the Value of Recovered Carbon Black (rCB)” at the 2025 Global Polymer Summit, taking place at the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland, Ohio, on September 9. The session will run from 1:30 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. and will be moderated by Denise Kennedy of DK Enterprises.

Uzbekistan will introduce ecological fees on selected goods to improve its low recycling rates and reduce landfill waste. The measure was presented by Ecology Minister Aziz Abduhakimov to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on August 14.

Cabot Corporation has signed an agreement to acquire Mexico Carbon Manufacturing S.A. de C.V. (MXCB) from Bridgestone Corporation for $70 million. The facility, commissioned in 2005, is located near Cabot’s existing reinforcing carbons plant in Altamira, Mexico.

Tyre-to-tyre recycling is still more of an exception than the rule. Yet new technologies are proving it can be done. One of the most ambitious initiatives in this space is BlackCycle, an EU-funded project that set out to build a fully circular value chain — from end-of-life tyre collection to the production of new tyres. In an interview with Waste Management World, Jean-Michel Douarre, BlackCycle Consortium Director and research program leader on sustainable raw materials at Michelin, shared how the project came to life, what it has achieved, and why it matters for the future of sustainable mobility.