Tyre Stewardship Australia (TSA) has opened Round 4 of its 2026 Market Development Fund, with applications available from September 1 to October 6 for projects that increase real-world use of Australian tire-derived material. The fund offers grants of up to $300,000 for eligible applicants across Australia and supports projects that move tire-derived material from concept to practical market use. TSA says the program is designed to build stronger long-term demand for material recovered from end-of-life tires by backing product innovation, infrastructure trials, local manufacturing and applied research. The fund is open through two streams: Demonstration & Infrastructure Projects and Research & Development. Supported activities must use Australian-sourced tire-derived material and demonstrate commercial, environmental or community value.

Round 4 closes on October 6

Applications for the fourth 2026 funding round opened on September 1 and will close on October 6. TSA said expressions of interest are also welcomed throughout the year outside the formal application periods, allowing potential applicants to discuss project ideas with the Market Development team before submitting a full proposal.

Fund supports circular uses for tire-derived material

TSA’s Market Development Fund supports projects that demonstrate, trial or enable the use of Australian tire-derived material in real markets. The organization said the fund aims to create commercial, environmental or community value while strengthening domestic demand for products made from end-of-life tires.

The fund focuses on projects that can help reduce the environmental, health and safety impacts of used tires in Australia. It also supports circular economy goals by helping recycled tire rubber and other tire-derived materials move into infrastructure, construction, manufacturing and community applications.

Two funding streams available

The Demonstration & Infrastructure stream supports projects that pilot or scale the use of tire-derived material in roads, civil works, construction, manufacturing or community infrastructure. These projects are intended to validate performance, demonstrate commercial readiness and open new end markets.

The Research & Development stream funds applied research and product development that test new uses, blends or specifications for tire-derived material. TSA said R&D projects may address adoption barriers, improve standards or strengthen supply chains.

Projects must show measurable outcomes

TSA prioritizes projects that increase demand for tire-derived material in domestic markets and use Australian-generated end-of-life tires as a core input. The organization also looks for measurable environmental benefits, alignment with circular economy strategies or procurement policies, and collaboration across industry, government and research sectors.

Other preferred attributes include regional development, Indigenous partnerships, social procurement outcomes, technical standards or approvals for new products, readiness for commercialization and scalable models with wider market potential.

Some activities are not eligible

TSA says the fund does not support core business capital or operating costs, recycling infrastructure or machinery upgrades, projects without a clear end use or measurable outcome, purely theoretical research without a commercial pathway, or projects already funded through the Market Development Fund.

For funded projects, Australian-sourced tire-derived material must be used throughout the full project duration. Demonstration & Infrastructure projects must also use Australian-generated tire-derived material in both the infrastructure and demonstration phases.

Past projects include roads and permeable pavement

TSA said it has invested more than $11 million in more than 75 projects across Australia. Past funded work includes crumb rubber roads, porous pavements, recycled-rubber manufacturing and advanced research.

Examples listed by TSA include recycled tire permeable pavement developed by Porous Lane, concrete road safety barriers using tire-derived material developed by Saferoads, and off-the-road tire-derived crumb rubber in Australian roads.

Funding aims to strengthen end markets

The Market Development Fund is intended to address one of the main challenges in tire recycling: the need for diverse and scalable end markets. Without reliable demand for recycled tire materials, collection and processing alone cannot deliver a sustainable circular economy system.

By co-investing in trials, product development and commercialization, TSA aims to support higher-value uses for tire-derived material and help overcome barriers related to performance validation, technical acceptance, public perception and cost competitiveness. The fund therefore plays a role in expanding tire recycling, rubber recycling, crumb rubber use and circular infrastructure markets in Australia.

Article source: TSA.