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Bridgestone Supports the 2025 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge

Ewan Scott
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Bridgestone Supports the 2025 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge

Bridgestone Corporation has announced that it will be supporting the 2025 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge (BWSC) with ENLITEN™ technology tyres, which feature the first application of new recycled materials developed through co-creation with partners, increasing the ratio of recycled and renewable materials to over 65%

The company will supply these tyres to 33 teams from 17 locations. The BWSC, which will take place August 24 through 31, is the world’s foremost solar car event.

Held every two years, participants are challenged with traversing approximately 3,000 kilometers across the Australian continent using only limited solar power. Bridgestone has been the title sponsor of BWSC since 2013; this event underscores Bridgestone’s focus on accelerating innovation for next generation mobility, including EVs and electric vehicles, as well as developing the engineers who will shape the future of mobility.

For the 2025 BWSC, Bridgestone will supply tyres with ENLITEN technology, which ensures the performance required for solar cars while further advancing sustainability. For the first time, Bridgestone has applied recovered carbon black and steel, which are recycled materials developed and produced through co-creation efforts focused on advancing recycling technology that ‘renews’ tyres to raw materials. Furthermore, the company is evolving its sustainability initiatives throughout the value chain, such as reducing the number of tyres used and introducing low-carbon tyre shipment for contributing to a circular economy and carbon neutrality.

Through the BWSC as a ‘mobile laboratory,’ Bridgestone will refine its technology, thereby strengthening future sustainable global motorsports activities. Additionally, by pushing the limits and challenging for excellence, alongside participating teams that share a passion to race, Bridgestone is committed to accelerating innovation for the future of mobility.

Bridgestone’s initiatives in sustainability for the 2025 BWSC are as follows:

1/Applied New Recycled Materials through Co-Creation with Partners – Achieving over 65% recycled and renewable materials

– Recovered carbon black obtained from a precise pyrolysis of end-of-life tyres using Bridgestone’s test unit, in co-creation with ENEOS.  Since 2022, Bridgestone has been advancing its efforts in chemical recycling of end-of-life tyres to contribute to the realisation of a circular economy.

In 2023, the company introduced a test unit at the Bridgestone Innovation Park in Kodaira City, Tokyo, and has been further developing technology to obtain recovered carbon black, etc. through the precise pyrolysis of end-of-life tyres in collaboration with ENEOS Corporation.

Bridgestone has made the first application of the recovered carbon black obtained at its own test unit for 2025 BWSC tires.

 2/Recycled steel through co-creation with Nippon Steel and Sanyo Special Steel.  Since 2022, Bridgestone has been collaborating with Nippon Steel Corporation and Sanyo Special Steel Co., Ltd. to promote the recycling of end-of-life tyres in alignment with their shared vision for a circular economy. In a first for BWSC tyres, the company has incorporated bead wire, a reinforcement material for tires, made from recycled steel obtained from end-of-life tyres collected at the Bridgestone tyre Recycle Centre Osaka.

The recycled steel is obtained from end-of-life tyres in Sanyo Special Steel’s electric furnace, and then is rolled and heat-treated to bead wire at Nippon Steel’s facility.

3/ The tyres for the 2025 BWSC will be equipped with ENLITEN technology, continuing from the previous event, achieving a high level of both environmental performance and tyre performance.

Through co-creation with partners, Bridgestone has enhanced environmental performance that contributes to sustainability by applying new recycled resources mentioned above, as well as the new aramid material Twaron®  with circular content by Teijin Aramid.

At the same time, the tyres ensure low rolling resistance, durability, lightweight construction, and puncture resistance required for solar cars, maximising their performance and supporting safe and secure long distance journey of approximately 3,000 km under the harsh conditions of the BWSC.

4/ Low carbon emission logistics in tyre shipping – For BWSC tyre shipment, Bridgestone works with DHL, utilising its GoGreen Plus solution. By using sustainable maritime fuel, it enables to reduce CO2 emissions by up to 85% across the entire lifecycle (Well-to-Wake) of fuel production, transportation, storage, and onboard usage, achieving low carbon shipment.

Premium Content Packages from Future of Retreading and Recycling Conference Available

Ewan Scott
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Premium Content Packages from Future of Retreading and Recycling Conference Available

Our premium content packages are now available for purchase from the Future of Retreading and Recycling Conference for 160GBP. The content packages can be purchased here.

Future of Retreading and Recycling Conference Content

The Future of Retreading and Recycling Conference took place at Autopromotec 2025 and looked to discuss the TBR retreading market. The speakers included: Vittorio Marangoni (Marangoni), Stefan Mayrhofer (Kraiburg Austria), Frederico Schmidt (Vipal Rubber), Yorick Lowin (BIPAVER), for the retread sector; Anna-Maria Guth from the AZUR Network, Arthur Wagner from Regom, Stratton Kirton from Liberty Tire Recycling and Guiseppina Carnimeo from Ecopneus

The packages include the following:

  • Full conference recording
  • Access to all individual presentations
  • Complete attendee list

Plus, you’ll receive an exclusive 10% discount on subscriptions to Retreading Business and Tyre & Rubber Recycling.

Lummus and InnoVent Renewables Sign MoU for Tyre Pyrolysis Technology

Naida Jahić
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Lummus and InnoVent Renewables Sign MoU for Tyre Pyrolysis Technology

Lummus Technology and InnoVent Renewables signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to work toward licensing and deploying InnoVent’s continuous tyre pyrolysis technology globally

“This is another significant step in expanding and strengthening our portfolio for the circular economy,” said Leon de Bruyn, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lummus Technology. “By combining InnoVent’s tyre recycling technology with Lummus’ global licensing and engineering expertise, we will be addressing the global challenge of waste tyres and creating new pathways for sustainable product development.”

MoU underlines an agreement which, once finally negotiated, would let Lummus serve as the exclusive licensor for InnoVent’s proprietary continuous tyre pyrolysis technology, which converts end-of-life tyres into products such as pyrolysis oil, gas, recycled carbon black and steel. Lummus would also act as the licensor for comprehensive technology packages that combine InnoVent’s tyre pyrolysis process with its downstream technologies to increase the value of fuel and chemical outputs.

InnoVent Renewables operates a commercial facility in Monterrey, Mexico, capable of processing up to 1 million passenger tyres annually, with the ability to add additional capacity.  

“Partnering with Lummus has the potential to accelerate the global deployment of our technology and help us address the environmental and public health challenges of 1 billion end-of-life tyres that are disposed of annually,” said Vibhu Sharma, Chief Executive Officer, InnoVent Renewables. “Together, we can transform waste into valuable resources, reduce carbon emissions and support the transition to a more sustainable future.”

Enviro CEO and CFO Subscribe for Almost 4 Million Shares in Enviro’s Rights Issue

Naida Jahić
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Enviro CEO and CFO Subscribe for Almost 4 Million Shares in Enviro’s Rights Issue

Scandinavian Enviro Systems CEO Fredrik Emilson and the company’s CFO, Fredrik Aaben, have subscribed for 3,980,769 shares worth SEK 3.3 million, under the subscription commitments they entered into in connection with Enviro’s recently completed rights issue, strengthening the company’s cash position by approximately SEK 240 million

“Fredrik Aaben and I made extensive subscription and guarantee commitments, which reflect our strong confidence in the company, its technology, and its ability to both solve a major environmental issue and create significant economic value. Other members of the management team have also subscribed to a considerable number of shares,” says Fredrik Emilson, CEO of Enviro.

Before the rights issue, both Emilson and Aaben had entered into subscription commitments. Now that the issue has been completed, both have subscribed for shares under these commitments. Emilson subscribed to a total of 2,956,672 shares, while Aaben, who did not own any shares before, subscribed to 1,024,096 shares. In total, the issue brought in approximately SEK 240 million before issuance costs. Among the participants in the issue were, notably, Handelsbanken Fonder and Michelin.

This secures Enviro’s operations for the next 18 months, carrying the company through the completion of the plant, its operational start, and onward to the handover to Infinteria, which could take place in mid-2026 when the plant is expected to receive its Provisional Acceptance Certificate (PAC). The Uddevalla facility will have the capacity to recycle 34,500 tons of end-of-life tyres per year, and its entire future output of pyrolysis oil and recovered carbon black (rCB) is already sold out.

Minister George Withdraws Industry Waste Tyre Management Plan Approval in South Africa

Naida Jahić
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Minister George Withdraws Industry Waste Tyre Management Plan Approval in South Africa

Minister Dion George has withdrawn the approval of the Industry Waste Tyre Management Plan (IndWTMP), which was initially published on March 20th, 2024

The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George, has announced the withdrawal of the approval decision for the Industry Waste Tyre Management Plan (IndWTMP), published under Government Notice 4542 in Government Gazette 50233 on 20 March 2024. This decision aims to ensure a thorough review and reflects the Minister’s commitment to evaluating policies developed by previous administrations.

“While the Industry Waste Tyre Management Plan was developed through a prolonged and consultative process, concerns have been raised regarding its alignment with current sector realities and policy intent,” said Minister George. “The withdrawal enables a focused review to ensure the final Plan is implementable, transparent, and fully responsive to the operational and governance complexities facing the sector.”

The withdrawal, authorised under section 10(3) of the Interpretation Act, enables the Department to revisit the Plan in detail. This process will involve renewed stakeholder engagement and the appointment of an organ of state, such as the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), to refine the Plan and address areas such as data accuracy and sector capacity.

“My goal is to deliver a waste tyre management plan that is practical, inclusive, and future-proof,” Minister George added. “This withdrawal is a proactive step to ensure we get it right, building a stronger foundation for the waste tyre industry and environmental justice.”

The Department confirmed that this process will not disrupt existing waste tyre management operations, ensuring that current arrangements for waste tyre collection and processing remain in place. Engagements with the National Treasury are underway to secure a sustainable funding model. Further details on the review process will be shared with stakeholders in due course.

Circular Rubber Platform to Host Technical Webinar on EUDR

David Wilson
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Circular Rubber Platform to Host Technical Webinar on EUDR

Circular Rubber Platform have announced that they have organized a technical webinar on the European Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which will take place on Tuesday June 10th from 4.00 to 5.30 pm CEST.

The webinar, which is free to attend for all those who are interested, is targeted at anybody working in the supply chain for natural rubber including smallholders, importers, processors, compounders, producers or traders of goods.

With the EUDR in place, any operator or trader who places natural commodities (natural rubber, amongst others) on the EU market, or exports from it, must be able to prove that the products do not originate from recently deforested land or have contributed to forest degradation. 

According to Circular Rubber Platform Directors Jan Boomsma and Enrico Koggel,“EUDR is quite broad, sophisticated and has effects on everybody in the natural rubber supply chain. The goal of this technical webinar is to understand the background of the EUDR and the effects on the whole supply chain, explained by industry experts.”

The scheduled speakers at the event are as follows: 

  • World Resource Institute – Benjamin Wielgosz – A presentation on how geospatial data showed deforestation, and role of WRI.
  • GPSNR – Stefano Savi – A presentation on how EUDR has effects in production countries and on smallholders
  • Weber & Schaer – Anne Domin – A presentation on how EUDR affects the industry during importing, and traceability for processors within the EU
  • Open Atlas – Harry Marshall – A presentation on how software can support the rubber supply chain for the processor from gathered data.

Readers interested in joining the webinar can register on the Circular Rubber Platform website at https://circularrubberplatform.com/events/eudr

Environment Agency Waste Tyre Review Evidence

Ewan Scott
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Environment Agency Waste Tyre Review Evidence

Environment Agency initiated their Waste Tyre inquiry following the BBC’s tyre scandal expose, and the TRA provided a history of evidence previously provided

The Tyre Recovery Association has released the comprehensive dossier of evidence they submitted to the Environment Agency’s inquiry into Waste Tyres. The dossier summarises the years of persistent engagement with government and regulators, highlights the urgent need for reform in the management and export of end-of-life tyres (ELTs).

The submission follows recent increased scrutiny of the waste tyre sector, greatly assisted by the BBC File on 4 documentary The Tyre Scandal which exposed the environmental damage caused by UK baled waste tyres shipped to India. The TRA actively participated in the EA’s in-person meetings held in Birmingham on the 22 May, providing direct input to the review team.

Evidence submitted addresses key issues, including the long-standing call for the removal of the T8 exemption, which currently allows for the export of whole end-of-life tyres without sufficient oversight. The TRA has long campaigned for a “shred-only” export protocol, as pioneered by environmental regulators in Australia, to ensure that tyres are processed responsibly and domestic recycling capacity is properly utilised.

Peter Taylor OBE, Secretary General of the TRA, said; “Our dossier sets out how, over five years, the TRA has been consistently raising the alarm about the systemic failures in regulating waste tyre exports and the detrimental impact on the environment and legitimate UK recycling businesses. This submission to the Environment Agency’s review is a culmination of this work, providing detailed evidence, including GPS tracking data and discrepancies in import volumes, that unequivocally demonstrates the scale of the problem.

“We have provided the Environment Agency with irrefutable evidence of the challenges facing our sector and the consequences of inaction. The time for platitudes and one-way correspondence is over.

“We must be confident that our submission will empower the EA to finally take decisive action, leading to robust regulatory reforms that protect the environment and enable the UK’s tyre recovery industry to continue and play its crucial part in building the zero-waste circular economy.”

The TRA will continue with its collaborative engagement with the Environment Agency and DEFRA to drive the reform British industry needs and ensure that the review leads to concrete and timely policy changes the TRA’s members need.

· The full TRA dossier submitted to the Environment Agency Waste Tyre review is available HERE.

The Tyre Recovery Association is calling on the Government to update two pieces of regulation:

· Ending T8 exemptions (announced some years ago, but no action has followed. Scottish authorities ended T8 exemption in 2018)

· Ending exports of whole end-of-life car tyres (ELTs) (as Australia has demonstrated, a simple and effective means of addressing environmental concerns and ensuring domestic capability)”

Steve Reid, DEFRA Secretary of State, told the Labour Party conference in September 2024, that the government will; “end the throwaway society by creating new jobs reusing and recycling materials as we work towards a circular economy that protects nature and our precious climate.”

It would be reasonable to say that little progress has been made since the election.

In fact, the editor found an article written some 14 years ago which highlighted the coming risks of unmanaged waste exports. It could have been written yesterday.

Tyre and Rubber Recycling is aware of evidence supplied directly to the Environment Agency by several players in the industry, and the evidence appears to have been set aside.

The Recircle Awards 2025 Winners Presented at Autopromotec

Ewan Scott
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The Recircle Awards 2025 Winners Presented at Autopromotec

The awards ceremony was broadcast live on Retreading Business and Tyre & Rubber Recycling YouTube Channels

Retreading Business and Tyre & Rubber Recycling magazines, the organisers of the Recircle Awards, the global industry awards event recognising sustainable innovation, production processes, management and services within the tyre retreading and recycling sectors, presented the winners of this year’s edition during an event held at Autopromotec 2025.

Both the announcement and the prize giving ceremony were broadcast live on the YouTube channels of the Recircle Awards organisers, the two of the world’s leading publications specialising in the tyre retreading and recycling sectors.

The rising interest in this year’s awards is reflected in the high number of vote entries on the Recircle Awards website, with more than 4,000 legitimate votes recorded. This further confirms the effectiveness of the improvements introduced to the voting system, ranging from the submitting of nominations to selecting the finalists, further reinforcing the legitimacy of the votes.

The winners in the 22 categories of the 2025 Recircle Awards are as follows:

  • Best Company Director:

Haarjeev Kandhari (Vaculug)

  • Best Retreading Accessory and Consumables Supplier:

VM Rubber

  • Best Retreading Equipment Supplier:

Italmatic

  • Best Retreading Industry Innovation:

Italmatic: Crater Tire CT 4.0 Double Skiving Robot

  • Best Rubber Tread Supplier:

Marangoni

  • Best Tyre Recycling Industry Supplier:

Eco Green Equipment

  • Best Tyre Recycling Innovation

            Regom: ELT Sorting Technology

  • Business Breakthrough Award:

Rover Research

  • Circular Economy Award:

Liberty Tire and Walmart

  • Employee of the Year:

Leonardo Oliveira (Vipal Rubber)

  • Retreader of the Year Award:

Marangoni

  • Spirit of Retreading Award:

633 Tyres

  • Tyre Recycler of the Year Award:

Genan

  • Women’s Award for the Tyre Retreading Sector:

Christina Guth (AZUR Network)

  • Women’s Award for the Tyre Recycling Sector:

Ifedolapo Runsewe (Freee Recycle)

  • Industry Achievement Award for the Tyre Recycling Sector

SDAB for the creation of the End-of-Life Tyre Research Portal

  • Tyre Industry Education Award

Univipal

  • Spirit of Tyre Recycling Award

Freee Recycle

  • Tyre Pyrolysis Award

Bolder Industries

  • Spirit of Tread Rubber Manufacturing Award

Galgo

  • Lifetime Achievement Award in the Tyre Retreading Sector

Mario Marangoni

  • Lifetime Achievement Award in the Tyre Recycling Sector

Bengt-Sture Ershag

Bengt-Sture Ershag, founder of Scandinavian Enviro Systems, expressed his gratitude for the award: “I’m honoured to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award in The Tyre Recycling Sector and grateful for the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to my field. This recognition reflects the collective efforts of many colleagues and mentors who’ve supported my work throughout the years.”

Mario Marangoni, the Chairman of the Board of Marangoni Holding S.p.A. (owner of Marangoni S.p.A.),commented: “I am honoured to receive this prestigious award, which recognises me as a surviving witness of the pioneering spirit that developed tyre retreading in the post-war period. It acknowledges a journey that began in the climate of sanctions and autarchy of the Second World War and led to the introduction of recycling and reuse of tyre retreading, followed by continuous innovation of machinery and processes up to the internationalisation of the Marangoni Group. The rest is history.”

David Wilson, Chairman of the Nominations Committee and editor of Retreading Business and Tyre & Rubber Recycling magazines, commented: “When we launched the fourth edition of the Recircle Awards, our goal was to improve the entire voting process. Receiving over 4,000 votes tells us that we’ve achieved that. This figure also demonstrates the interest that the awards are generating in the sector, not only for the award itself but also for the recognition of effort and innovation in the industry so closely linked to the environment. We hope these awards will continue to contribute to promoting green business and raising awareness about the circular economy.”

“I would like to congratulate the award winners and thank them for their efforts in a particularly inclusive edition, which featured two new categories to recognise women’s contributions and commitment in the sector. On behalf of myself and the Nomination Committee, we congratulate the first two winners in both categories. We will continue to build on this path. Finally, I would also like to express our gratitude to Autopromotec, the main sponsor of the awards, and to the rest of our sponsors and collaborators for their support of the Recircle Awards. We look forward to seeing you in the next edition,” Wilson concluded.

IFAT Munich 26  Update

Ewan Scott
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IFAT Munich 26  Update

International registrations up 10 percent IFAT Munich 2026 is less than a year away

The world’s leading trade fair for environmental technologies will take place from May 4 to 7, 2026, and, as in 2024, will include all 18 exhibition halls and large parts of the outdoor area.

There is currently a particularly high level of interest from abroad: compared to the same time in 2023, 10 per cent more companies from abroad have registered.

 The top 5 countries are currently: Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Austria and Turkey.  

A new partnership with EuRIC – the European umbrella organisation of the recycling industry – is a significant step towards European networking. As an association, EuRIC represents companies that recycle materials such as metals, plastics, paper, textiles and end-of-life vehicles and is actively committed to strengthening recycling as a central pillar of the European circular economy.

 The cooperation gives IFAT greater visibility at EU level and expands the international exhibitor network.

Orion Carbon Black Article

Ewan Scott
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Orion Carbon Black Article

Carbon black has been used since ancient times in China and Egypt, Orion says it remains a high-tech material worthy of scientific interest

This is due to the numerous ways it can be engineered to serve as an essential component in a variety of everyday products – from paint and textiles to tires, power cables and batteries.

To explore both the fundamentals and the latest innovations, Orion S.A. scientists have authored a new resource: “Carbon Black” in the Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Technology Online, available via the Wiley Online Library.

Orion Carbon Black Authors - Orion
From left to right, the authors of Orion’s “Carbon Black” guide: Werner Niedermeier, Arndt-Peter Schinkel, Hauke Westenberg and Ricardo Chavez

The 104-page article is the most current and comprehensive reference about carbon black. It covers the material’s history, morphology and production processes. It also presents recent technical findings on sustainability, rubber reinforcement, coloristic properties, electrical conductivity and structure breakdown. (For more details, see a summary on Orion’s website here.)

“Many of the products we take for granted would not be possible without carbon black – one of the most ubiquitous materials in modern life,” said Natalia Scherbakoff, chief technology officer at Orion. “We continue to discover new ways to use carbon black to improve the products we rely upon every day.”

From left to right, the authors of Orion’s “Carbon Black” guide: Werner Niedermeier, Arndt-Peter Schinkel, Hauke Westenberg and Ricardo Chavez.

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