Pirelli North America has launched the company’s first closed-loop tire recycling initiative, creating a circular supply chain that transforms manufacturing scrap tires into raw materials for new tire production.

The project, developed in partnership with Bolder Industries, focuses on recovering scrap tires generated during Pirelli’s manufacturing operations in North America and reintroducing recycled materials back into the tire production process.

The initiative was recently recognized by the Tire Recycling Foundation with a Value Chain Collaboration Award, highlighting efforts to advance circular economy practices within the tire industry.

Recovering materials from manufacturing scrap tires

Under the program, scrap tires generated during production are collected and processed by Bolder Industries using tire pyrolysis technology.

The recycling process converts end-of-life tire materials into ISCC PLUS-certified recovered carbon black (rCB), marketed as BolderBlack®, which is then supplied back to Pirelli for use in the production of new tires in North America.

Recovered carbon black is increasingly being adopted across the tire recycling sector as a lower-carbon alternative to virgin carbon black, a key reinforcing material used in tire and rubber manufacturing.

According to the companies, the recycled material can partially replace virgin carbon black while maintaining performance and quality requirements for tire production.

Supporting circular economy goals

Pirelli said the initiative forms part of a broader strategy to increase the use of recycled and bio-based materials throughout its global manufacturing network.

The company plans to expand similar circular recycling programs to additional facilities, creating industrial ecosystems capable of recovering valuable materials from waste tires and reintegrating them into production.

By combining tire recycling, pyrolysis, and recovered raw materials, the approach aims to reduce dependence on virgin resources while supporting sustainability and resource efficiency objectives.

Industry recognition for collaboration

The project received a Circle of Change Award from the Tire Recycling Foundation in the Value Chain Collaboration category.

The award recognizes organizations and partnerships that contribute to advancements in tire recycling technologies, end-use market development, and circular economy initiatives.

According to Pirelli North America CEO Claudio Zanardo, the initiative demonstrates how recovered materials can be integrated into existing manufacturing processes while maintaining product quality and performance standards.

Bolder Industries CEO Tony Wibbeler said the collaboration shows that a traceable, mass-balance approach to tire-to-tire recycling can be implemented within commercial tire manufacturing operations and scaled further across the industry.

Expanding recycled content in tire production

The closed-loop recycling project supports Pirelli’s broader sustainability targets, which include increasing the share of recycled and bio-based materials used in tire manufacturing.

The company has stated that it aims to achieve more than 80% bio-based and recycled materials in its highest-performing tire products by 2030, with a target of 40% recycled and bio-based content across overall production.

As demand grows for sustainable raw materials, initiatives involving recovered carbon black, tire pyrolysis, and advanced tire recycling technologies are expected to play an increasingly important role in reducing waste and supporting a more circular tire industry.

Article source: Pirelli.