News: Tire Recycling & Pyrolysis

In a statement included in the annual report, Timmy Smets, President of Recytyre’s Board of Directors, said the organization has a central role in ensuring that the collection, treatment and recycling of used tires takes place as efficiently as possible. He said Recytyre should continue evolving into a driver of a circular economy, where used tires are no longer seen only as waste but as raw materials that can be reused in higher-value applications. The report points to innovation, technological progress, digitalization, smarter logistics and collaboration with collectors and recycling companies as important factors for reducing costs and environmental impact.

The process draws on end‑of‑life tyres collected across Germany, from some Driver retail outlets and motorsport activities, as well as scrap tyres collected from Pirelli's Breuberg plant. They are processed through an industrial chain designed to maximize their inner value, converting them into secondary raw materials – including synthetic rubber – certified under the ISCC PLUS scheme. This ensures traceability along the value chain and enables the circular materials’ reintroduction into the manufacturing of new Pirelli tyres, maintaining their highest standards of quality and performance.

In the episode, Hunter and Kirton discuss how Kirton’s interest in environmental conservation developed and how that background connects to his work in the tire recycling sector. The discussion also looks at the broader role of recycling programs in keeping end-of-life tires out of disposal routes and moving them into productive uses.

Having specialised in Eldan, Lindner and Vecoplan shredders for years across the European recycling industry, Mr Baur’s decision to partner with Fornnax is rooted in a sharp market observation. Mr. Baur has developed a deep understanding of what plant operators truly need from a machine and from the team behind it. When he came across Fornnax's reputation for robust construction, superior wear protection, and accessible maintenance design, the fit was immediately clear.

CTS reported that its municipal transfer station collection network included 23 active collection sites as of the June 2026 update. The presentation also listed seven sites receiving hauler assignments during the week of the meeting, three sites ready for the next assignment round and 11 sites finalizing agreements or registration. The organization said enrollment and registration are handled through a portal used to track collected tires and tonnage and to support compensation for haulers and processors.

Dickinson County Road Commission has worked with Michigan Technological University and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy on research projects involving ground tire rubber modified asphalt since 2018. Officials said this work has helped the Road Commission build practical experience with the material and better understand how it performs in local road conditions.

In order to promote the sustainable development of road engineering, this study used waste tire rubber powder (RP) and surface organic layered double hydroxide (SOM-LDHs) to modify 70# matrix asphalt. The Box–Behnken design response surface method with three factors (rubber powder content, surface organic layered double hydroxide content, shear temperature) and three responses (penetration, ductility, softening point) was used to optimize the preparation parameters. The optimum formula was determined to be 21.7% rubber powder content, 4.8% surface organic layered double hydroxide content, and 160 °C shear temperature.

Recovered Carbon Black Asia 2026 returns this September, bringing together leading tire manufacturers, pyrolysis companies, rCB producers, carbon black suppliers, chemical companies from across the global value chain. Taking place on 3-4 September 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand, the conference will explore the latest developments shaping the rCB industry, with a strong focus on market trends, application, commercial value and material quality.

Several Ontario municipalities are limiting or stopping the acceptance of used tires at waste depots as tire stockpiles continue to grow and collection services fail to keep pace. The backlog has affected communities including Chatham-Kent, Wellington County, South Huron and the Region of Durham, where used tires are accumulating at municipal depots and creating operational, environmental and fire safety concerns. The situation has renewed scrutiny of Ontario’s tire recycling system, including the role of producer responsibility organizations, provincial recycling targets and proposed regulatory changes intended to improve the collection and management of end-of-life tires.