News: Tire Recycling & Pyrolysis

Michlen's SmartWear and SmartLoad aimed to improve safety, reduce costs and keep vehicle data on board. Tires were increasingly joining the digital transformation of vehicles, and Michelin had positioned itself at the forefront with the launch of its new artificial intelligence-driven tire technology. At the 2026 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Michelin was set to debut its SmartWear and SmartLoad systems, signalling a potential shift away from conventional tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS).

Dillingen, Saar / Hamburg, 9 January 2026 – Pyrum Innovations AG('Pyrum', ISIN: DE000A2G8ZX8) from Saarland and Hamburg-based Unitank Holding GmbH& Co. KG('UNITANK'), a leading operator of independent tank farms, signed a shareholder agreement to establish a joint venture. This partnership will lay the foundation for the construction of five to ten state-of-the-art recycling plants for end-of-life tyres in Europe in the coming years. Pyrum holds a 49% stake in the new joint venture, while UNITANK Group holds a 51% stake.

Auto body shop owner questioned Ontario's producer responsibility system amid mounting stockpiles. Hundreds of used tyres had accumulated on the small lot of Mike's Autobody & Tyre in Brechin, Ontario, after more than two months without collection, raising concerns about delays in the province's tyre recycling system. This was reported by Danielle Pitman, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter at Orillia Matters, on January 4, 2026. Michael O'Donnell, owner of the Ramara Township auto body and tyre shop and a registered eTracks Tire Management Systems collection site, said customers continued to drop off end-of-life tyres while scheduled collections failed to occur.

Transaction valued at approximately $701 million supported Goodyear's portfolio rationalisation strategy. The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement to sell the Dunlopbrand to Sumitomo Rubber Industries(SRI), covering trademarks and related intangible assets used for consumer, commercial and specialty tyres across Europe, North America and Oceania. The transaction followed Goodyear's previously disclosed strategic review of the Dunlop brand as part of its Goodyear Forward transformation programme. Under the terms of the agreement, Goodyear was to receive gross cash proceeds of approximately $701 million at closing, subject to customary regulatory approvals and closing conditions. The deal was expected to close by mid-2025.

Australia was increasingly being described as a destination for low-cost, poor-quality tyres as overseas regulations—particularly in Europe—tightened, according to industry experts and regulators (TSA). Concerns centred on safety, environmental impact and the downstream consequences for tyre waste management. Experts reported that budget tyres, often imported already fitted to new vehicles or sold as low-cost replacements, tended to wear out significantly faster than higher-quality alternatives. While cheaper at the point of sale, they were said to cost motorists more over time due to more frequent replacement. Faster wear also meant greater release of tyre particles into the environment, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)—chemicals of concern that are carcinogenic and harmful to ecosystems.

The Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR)has set out a new roadmap to enhance the sustainability and resilience of Kuwait's road infrastructure, endorsing 14 strategic recommendations following its forum “Sustainability of Roads in the State of Kuwait: Between the Challenges of the Past and the Prospects of the Future.” The initiative is expected to be of particular interest to regional tyre recycling and materials recovery stakeholders. The recommendations place scientific research, smart technologies and regulatory reform at the centre of future infrastructure planning. A key priority is intensified research into high-durability asphalt mixtures tailored to Kuwait's extreme climate, with the dual aim of extending road lifespans and reducing long-term maintenance costs.

Tire Business has named Amy Brackin, senior vice president of sustainability at Liberty Tire Recycling L.L.C., as its 2025 Innovator of the Year in Sustainability, recognising her leadership in embedding sustainability as a core operating principle across the company. In her role at Liberty Tire Recycling, Brackin has led the company's environmental reporting efforts, overseen compliance and permitting, and driven long-term commitments around zero waste, community impact and value creation. Her work has helped connect day-to-day operational decisions with Liberty's broader sustainability strategy, engaging drivers, plant workers and site teams across North America.

The Material Recycling Association of India (MRAI) has announced the International Material Recycling Conference & Exposition (IMRC 2026), which will take place from 20–22 January 2026 at the Novotel Jaipur & Convention Centre, Jaipur, India. The event is positioned as a major international platform dedicated to advancing a sustainable and circular economy across the global recycling industry.

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