News: Tire Recycling & Pyrolysis

Shercom Industries, a Saskatoon-based tire recycler in operation since 1993, has announced the layoff of 79 employees, attributing the decision to market pressures and changes in Saskatchewan’s tire recycling program. Shercom, which turns used tires into rubber products like tiles, curb ramps, and mats, has been affected by Tire Stewardship of Saskatchewan’s (TSS) decision to redirect end-of-life tires outside the province, impacting the company’s long-standing operations.

The Rosehill Modular Drainage System (MDS) recently demonstrated its capacity to withstand extreme conditions, passing a rigorous test simulating a 1-in-1000 year storm. This performance highlights the MDS’s effectiveness in managing severe weather impacts, reinforcing Rosehill’s commitment to sustainable, high-performance drainage solutions.

The Traction Summit in Charlotte, North Carolina, brought together key players in the tire and automotive industries to discuss sustainable mobility and the journey toward net-zero emissions. Michelin shared its target to achieve net-zero scope 1 and 2 emissions and develop fully recyclable tires by 2050, while Continental aims for 40% sustainable tire content by 2030, moving to 100% by 2050. Presenters highlighted that Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in the U.S. is expected to advance as the need for tire recycling solutions grows.

Zhongce Rubber Group (ZC Rubber) has confirmed the upcoming launch of a new carbon black production facility at its Tianjin site in China, with operations expected to begin by the end of the year. Part of a larger Yuan2 billion (€250 million) investment, the plant will have an 85 kilotonnes per annum (ktpa) capacity, producing both hard and soft carbon black grades. The facility will include two 30ktpa lines for hard-grade carbon black and a 25ktpa line for soft-grade carbon black.

The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) has reported a 10.5% increase in the utilization of end-of-life tires (ELTs) in its latest End-of-Life Tire Management Report. With 79% of ELTs now repurposed in end-use markets, tires continue to rank among the most recycled consumer products, surpassing materials like aluminum, paper, and plastic. USTMA attributes this progress to decades of industry collaboration and innovation, which have contributed to a 95% reduction in tire stockpiles.

For tire recyclers, steel price trends are critical as recovered steel from recycled tires can fluctuate in value with the steel market, affecting overall revenue and planning in tire recycling operations. The World Steel Association has revised its 2024 forecast, projecting a 0.9 percent drop in global steel demand to 1.75 billion tons. The Association’s Short Range Outlook for 2024-2025 anticipates this decline will be followed by a moderate recovery in 2025, with demand rising by 1.2 percent to reach 1.77 billion tons, primarily outside of China.

The Sustainability in Tires, set to convene industry leaders, innovators, and sustainability advocates was successfully held on 14-16 October in Shanghai, China, and online. This landmark event focused on advancing sustainable practices in tire manufacturing, use, and recycling, underlining the critical need for eco-friendly solutions in the tire industry.

Kal Tire Chile has announced an important milestone with the approval from Chile’s Ministry of the Environment for its Management Plan under the Category B Individual Management System. This approval allows Kal Tire to introduce high-performance Ultra-Class tires with 57" and 63" rings, produced by the Asian manufacturer Maxam, into Chile’s mining market. This move aligns with Chile’s Law 20,920 (Rep Law) requirements and reflects Kal Tire's commitment to sustainable operations in the mining sector.

The third scientific AZuR Colloquium took place on October 10, 2024, on the Jülich campus of the Aachen University of Applied Sciences (FH Aachen) with high participation. Forty scientists from various universities, institutes, and disciplines came together to discuss current research findings and projects related to the sustainable reuse and recycling of end-of-life tires. The agenda included workshops, discussion panels, and keynote presentations on topics such as the pyrolytic utilization of end-of-life tire granulate, the use of old rubber granulates in flood protection, and the future of recovered carbon black (rCB) as a sustainable filler.