News: Tire Recycling & Pyrolysis

Michigan has halted the long-standing practice of burning scrap tires for energy, following a 2023 change in state law that removed tire-derived fuel from the list of renewable energy sources. The decision, coupled with the decline of biomass power plants, has left recyclers and policymakers searching for alternative ways to manage the state’s 10 million discarded tires annually.

Bridgestone Americas has announced plans to shut down its LaVergne, Tennessee, Truck and Bus Radial Tire Plant by July 31, 2025, as part of its broader strategy to optimize operations and reduce costs. The closure will impact approximately 700 employees.

Epsilon Carbon is expanding its sustainability efforts with plans to establish an integrated tyre recycling facility in Karnataka, set to be operational by the 2026 fiscal year. The plant will process 30,000 tonnes of end-of-life tyres annually, producing 9,500 tonnes of recovered carbon black (rCB) and 12,000 tonnes of tyre-derived oil (TDO), supporting a circular economy in the industry.

Rubber Conversion has been awarded the EcoVadis Gold Medal, placing the company in the top 5% of businesses globally assessed by EcoVadis in the past year. The rating reflects the company’s performance in environmental responsibility, labor and human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement.

A significant highway upgrade in Australia is set to boost road infrastructure while promoting sustainability through the use of end-of-life tyres (EOLT) in construction. The Australian government has announced a large-scale upgrade to the Bruce Highway, a major transport route connecting Brisbane to Cairns.

Tyre Stewardship Australia announces the release of two new reports exploring the evolving challenges and opportunities facing the tyre industry in Australia and globally. The reports offer actionable insights into global regulatory trends, innovative and changing tyre designs, and the growing impacts to local tyre recovery from the transition to electric vehicles (EVs).

Swedish Tyre Recycling (SDAB) has announced that its End-of-Life Tyre Research Portal (ELTRP) now hosts over 500 reports, with ongoing updates to expand its database. The portal, accessible at www.eltrp.org, is designed to support research and provide easy access to published studies on topics such as chemical composition, material performance, environmental impact, and health considerations related to recycled tyre rubber.

On January 24, Melanie Taylor, President and CEO of the Synthetic Turf Council (STC), submitted testimony to the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors expressing STC's strong opposition to the proposed motion to ban synthetic turf in the County. Taylor’s testimony highlights the significant environmental and community benefits of synthetic turf while addressing concerns related to safety and accessibility.

Cabot has restarted its previously suspended carbon black plant expansion in Cilegon, Indonesia, targeting completion by mid-2025 as the company seeks to capitalize on Southeast Asia’s growing market demand.