How Tire Recycling Is Changing the Future of Mobility

 

How Tire Recycling Is Changing the Future of Mobility

Every year, millions of tires reach the end of their life. Unlike other automotive parts, tires are not easily biodegradable; a single tire can take hundreds of years to decompose. This makes used tires one of the most pressing environmental challenges worldwide. Traditionally, discarded tires ended up in landfills, stockpiles, or even burned—causing severe pollution and health hazards.

But today, things are changing very fast. With technological advancements, sustainability initiatives, and growing awareness about climate change, tire recycling has emerged as a game-changer in the mobility industry. From creating new materials to supporting green mobility, tire recycling is not just an environmental necessity—it’s shaping the future of transportation.

Explore the history of tire recycling, how it works, its benefits, the by-products it generates, and its role in transforming future mobility.

 

The Early Days: Who Introduced Tire Recycling?

The concept of tire recycling dates back to the early 20th century when tires became widespread with the rise of automobiles. Initially, used tires were either burned as fuel or repurposed for small-scale applications.

The real push came during World War II, when rubber became scarce. Countries started collecting scrap tires to extract reusable rubber. This laid the foundation of modern tire recycling. In the 1970s and 1980s, when landfills began overflowing with discarded tires, governments introduced stricter regulations, leading to large-scale recycling methods.

Today, tire recycling is an organized global industry, using advanced technologies like pyrolysis, devulcanization, and shredding to recover valuable materials.

 

Why Tire Recycling Matters in the Mobility Era

Mobility today is not just about moving from one place to another—it’s about doing so sustainably. Electric vehicles, shared mobility, and autonomous driving are shaping tomorrow’s transport. Tire recycling fits right into this ecosystem because:

1.      It reduces waste pollution—no more massive tire mountains polluting landscapes.

2.      It supports circular economy—materials from old tires are reused in new industries.

3.      It saves resources—natural rubber and petroleum-based products are conserved.

4.      It lowers carbon footprint—less demand for virgin rubber reduces emissions.

5.      It creates sustainable mobility solutions—recycled tires can be used in EV infrastructure, road construction, and more.

 

The Tire Recycling Process: From Waste to Value

1. Collection and Sorting

Used tires are collected from garages, retailers, and disposal sites. They are sorted based on type, size, and condition. Some slightly used tires are resold or retreaded, while others are prepared for recycling.

2. Shredding

Tires are cut into small pieces using industrial shredders. This makes them easier to handle and separate into components.

3. Steel and Textile Separation

Modern tires contain steel belts and textile reinforcements. Recycling facilities use magnets and advanced separation systems to remove these.

4. Grinding and Crumb Rubber Production

Shredded rubber is ground into fine particles called crumb rubber. This is one of the most valuable outputs of tire recycling, used in various industries.

5. Pyrolysis and Devulcanization

In pyrolysis, tires are heated in the absence of oxygen to produce oil, gas, and carbon black. Devulcanization breaks the chemical bonds in rubber, making it reusable in manufacturing.

 

By-Products of Tire Recycling

1.      Crumb rubber—used in playgrounds, sports tracks, flooring, and road construction.

2.      Steel – Extracted steel wires are recycled for manufacturing new metal products.

3.      Carbon Black – Used in making new tires, plastics, and inks.

4.      Pyrolysis Oil – Alternative fuel source for industries.

5.      Textile Fibers – Repurposed for insulation and construction materials.

These by-products not only reduce waste but also fuel new industries—making tire recycling a driver of economic growth.

 

Benefits of Tire Recycling

1. Environmental Protection

·         Reduces landfill waste.

·         Prevents toxic emissions from open burning.

·         Minimizes soil and water pollution.

2. Economic Advantages

·         Creates new industries and jobs.

·         Lowers the demand for virgin raw materials.

·         Reduces dependency on imported natural rubber.

3. Innovation in Infrastructure

·         Crumb rubber enhances asphalt for rubberized roads—long-lasting, noise-reducing, and safer.

·         Recycled tires are used in building eco-friendly sports fields and playgrounds.

4. Mobility Transformation

·         Supports green transport by supplying raw materials for EV batteries and charging infrastructure.

·         Contributes to lighter, more efficient tires for future vehicles.

 

Global Trends in Tire Recycling

·         Europe: Leading in tire recycling, with laws mandating 95% recycling rates.

·         United States: Over 75% of scrap tires are recycled annually into fuel, roads, and rubber products.

·         India: One of the largest tire recycling industries, focusing on pyrolysis oil and retreading.

·         China: Expanding rapidly with government-backed initiatives for sustainable mobility.

 

Tire Recycling and the Future of Mobility

The future of mobility will not just rely on electric cars, autonomous shuttles, or shared rides—it will also depend on how we manage resources sustainably. Tire recycling is paving the way by:

1.      Reducing EV Costs – Recycled carbon black and rubber can lower production costs.

2.      Building Smart Roads – Rubberized asphalt is durable and compatible with smart road technologies.

3.      Creating Safer Transport – Innovative tire compounds from recycled rubber enhance grip and safety.

4.      Supporting Circular Mobility—Tyres are continuously reused, reducing the industry’s overall environmental footprint.

In short, tire recycling ensures that the future of mobility is green, affordable, and sustainable.

Here comes a continent-wise overview of the top 20 tire recycling players, based on recent information from industry reports and recognized startups. These companies are chosen for their scale, innovation, or influence—and grouped by continent for clarity:

 

North America (USA & Canada)

1. Liberty Tire Recycling (USA)

North America’s largest tire recycler—processing over 190 million tires per year with a zero-tire-to-landfill model, producing crumb rubber, tire-derived fuel, and contributing to rubberized asphalt in 33 U.S. states.

2. Prism Worldwide (USA)

Transforms end-of-life tires and recycled plastics into circular polymers, reducing carbon footprints.

3. Lehigh Technologies (USA)

Specializes in producing micronized rubber powder (MRP); integrated into millions of tires and acquired by Michelin as part of a circular-economy my strategy.

4. Valley Tire Recycling (USA)

Provides collection and recycling services, turning tires into reusable raw material

5. Mycocycle (USA)

An innovative startup that uses fungus-based processes (mushrooms) to upcycle tires into low-carbon raw materials.

 

Europe

6. Genan (Denmark/Germany/USA)

The world’s largest end-of-life tire recycler, with multiple plants in Denmark, Germany, and the USA—handling over 500,000 tons annually.

7. Scandinavian Enviro Systems (Sweden)

Pioneers in industrial-scale tire pyrolysis, recovering high-quality carbon black and oil; operates a significant joint venture backed by Michelin.

8. Wastefront (Norway)

Uses upcycling technology to convert tires into valuable resources for reuse.

9. RISORCE (Belgium)

Offers local tire waste processing solutions in Belgium.

10. Pyrum (Germany)

Builds and operates recycling plants to extract high-quality materials from tires and rubber waste.

11. Murfitts Industries (UK)

One of the UK’s largest recyclers, providing products like rubber mulch, turf infill, and road surfaces.

12. Tyre Cycle (Australia, included due to global relevance)

Australia's largest tire recycler—national network and crumbing plant; winner of Recircle awards

 

Asia-Pacific (excluding Australia)

13. LD Carbon (South Korea)

Produces green carbon black, pyrolysis oil, and tire powder—leveraging sustainable technology.

14. AP Chemi (India)

Delivers robust pyrolysis plants to convert waste tires (and plastic/biomass) into fuels—patented and proven.

15. Green Buddies (India)

Upcycles tires into eco-designed play stations, promoting sustainable reuse in children’s infrastructure.

16. De’Dzines (India)

Transforms tires into utility products like furniture, planters, swings, and decor items.

 

Africa

17. Chanja Datti (Nigeria)

Recycles tires (alongside plastics, glass, etc.) to create a cleaner environment—supported by funding.

18. Pneupur (Cameroon)

Tackles environmental and health hazards by recycling used tires in African countries.

19. Mathe Group (South Africa)

Specializes in converting used tires into high-quality crumb rubber and powder at an advanced facility.

20. Derenas Investments (Namibia)

Aims to build world-class waste tire rubber recycling with globally accepted products.

 

Summary Table

Continent	Key Players (Top ~5)
North America	Liberty Tire, Prism Worldwide, Lehigh Technologies, Valley Tire Recycling, Mycocycle
Europe	Genan, Scandinavian Enviro Systems, Wastefront, RISORCE, Pyrum, Murfitts, Tyrecycle
Asia-Pacific	LD Carbon, APChemi, Green Buddies, De’Dzines
Africa	Chanja Datti, Pneupur, Mathe Group, Derenas Investments

 

Conclusion

Tyres, once considered waste after use, are now becoming a valuable resource for the future of mobility. From reducing pollution to building eco-friendly roads and supporting electric vehicle infrastructure, tyre recycling is revolutionizing transportation.

The journey from discarded tyre to recycled product is not just about waste management—it’s about creating a circular economy that benefits the environment, industry, and society.

As technology evolves, tyre recycling will continue to be at the heart of sustainable mobility. The next time you see a vehicle rolling smoothly on the road, remember—it might just be riding on recycled rubber.

 

Disclaimer

This blog is for informational purposes only. While efforts have been made to provide accurate details about tyre recycling and its benefits, readers are advised to refer to official environmental and industrial sources for technical or regulatory information.