News: Tire Recycling & Pyrolysis

Recent debates have questioned chemical recycling technologies' environmental effectiveness and practicality, mainly the production and use of pyrolysis oil derived from plastic waste. Critics argue that pyrolysis oil might exacerbate ecological problems rather than solve them, claiming that chemical recycling does not represent true recycling and potentially undermines broader waste reduction initiatives. However, evidence-based analyses indicate that these technologies, particularly pyrolysis, play a significant and beneficial role when implemented responsibly.

Pyrum Innovations AG (Pyrum) announced that the Supervisory Board extended the contract with Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Kai Winkelmann until March 31, 2030, thus ensuring continuity in the management of the company. Kai Winkelmann has been with the company since February 2021 and was appointed to the Executive Board as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for the first time on April 1, 2022. In his time at Pyrum to date, he has made a significant contribution to securing the company’s financing, including the successful capital increase last year. In his position on the Executive Board, Mr. Winkelmann is responsible for Finance, Compliance and IT.

Enviro's recovered carbon black has been used by Swedish rubber and plastic manufacturer AnVa to develop climarub, one of the world’s first completely climate-neutral rubber compounds. “The launch clearly demonstrates the great commercial value of recycling in achieving climate neutrality,” says Fredrik Emilson, CEO of Enviro.

The Tire and Rubber Association of Canada (TRAC) announced today that the 2025 Rubber Recycling Symposium is set for October 8-9 at the Fairmont Palliser Hotel in Calgary, Alberta. TRAC invites industry leaders across the tire and rubber value chain—tire manufacturers, rubber recyclers, recycled product innovators, end-of-life tire (ELT) stewardship organizations, policymakers, and equipment manufacturers—to connect at one of the most significant events in the field.

Pyrum Innovations AG (Pyrum) published its trading update for the fourth quarter of 2024 and the preliminary figures for the full year 2024. The company’s earnings and financial position in the 2024 financial year continued to be characterised by investments at the headquarters in Dillingen and orders for system components with long delivery times for the new site in Perl-Besch. Investments were also made in expanding the workforce and further developing the organisational structure.

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.

The UK’s Tyre Recovery Association (TRA) has issued an urgent call to action to the British government, warning that the country’s domestic tyre recycling industry is under severe threat due to inaction on outdated regulations and the continued export of end-of-life tyres (ELTs) to countries like India.

The Carbon Black World conference returns to the U.S. for its momentous 20th anniversary. With world events causing uncertainty and subsequent supply and demand issues, this timely event will give an in-depth analysis of markets and pending legislation. Industry challenges will be addressed, sustainability challenges will be explored, and the latest innovations will be discussed to provide a full 360 degree view of the carbon black world.

As part of the Art of Recycling initiative led by Swedish Tyre Recycling (SDAB), glass artist Lisa Hartwig Ericson has conducted a unique experiment—blowing glass using steel wire recovered from end-of-life tyres. The initiative encourages artists and designers to reinterpret recycled tyre materials through their own creative practices, with the aim of shifting perceptions around tyre waste.