Tyre Stewardship Australia (TSA) has opened Round 2 of its Market Development Fund, continuing efforts to support projects that expand practical uses for tire-derived materials (TDM) across Australia’s recycling and manufacturing sectors.

The funding program is designed to help move projects from concept into commercial or large-scale application by supporting trials, demonstrations, and product development involving recycled tire materials. Eligible applicants can apply for grants of up to $300,000.

TSA is encouraging applications from manufacturers, local councils, researchers, and industry partners working on scalable solutions that create new end markets for materials generated through tire recycling and rubber recycling.

Focus on real-world applications for recycled tire materials

The Market Development Fund supports projects using Australian tire-derived materials in sectors including road construction, rail infrastructure, manufacturing, and public works.

This includes applications for crumb rubber, one of the most widely used outputs from mechanical tire recycling, which is commonly incorporated into rubberized asphalt, construction products, and engineered surfaces. Tire-derived materials are also used in applications such as sports fields, including artificial turf systems, as well as vibration control and civil engineering projects.

By supporting end-use development, TSA aims to strengthen domestic demand for recycled tire materials and improve the long-term economics of recycling supply chains.

Two funding streams

The fund is divided into two primary categories:

  • Demonstration & Infrastructure – Supports projects that validate the performance of tire-derived materials in practical use and help expand adoption in commercial and public infrastructure applications.
  • Research & Development – Focuses on applied research, product innovation, and technical development aimed at overcoming barriers to wider market adoption, improving standards, and building stronger supply chains for recycled materials.

Projects must use Australian tire-derived material, show a clear commercial or practical end use, and align with the objectives of the TSA Scheme.

The program does not fund core operating expenses, recycling facility upgrades, or research without a defined application pathway.

Supporting growth in tire recycling markets

Expanding end markets remains a key challenge for the tire recycling sector globally. Programs that encourage commercial uses for recycled tire materials can help improve material recovery rates and support broader sustainability goals.

While mechanical processing into crumb rubber remains a leading pathway for end-of-life tires, other recovery technologies, including pyrolysis, are also gaining attention as markets seek additional value streams such as tire-derived oil, recovered carbon black (rCB), and pyrolysis char. However, TSA’s current fund is focused on projects demonstrating practical market uses for tire-derived materials rather than recycling infrastructure itself.

Application timeline

Round 2 applications opened on April 3 and will close on May 5, 2026.

TSA also welcomes expressions of interest outside formal application windows, allowing potential applicants to discuss developing project concepts with the Market Development team before submitting a proposal.

Additional funding rounds are scheduled throughout 2026, creating multiple opportunities for businesses and organizations looking to scale innovative applications tied to tire recycling, rubber recycling, and circular material use in Australia.

Article source: TSA.