The Leading Journal for the Tyre Recycling Sector

The Leading Journal for the Tyre Recycling Sector

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Tema Process on Fluid Bed Drying Solutions for Recovered Carbon Black

In Episode 10 of TRR rCB Conference Video Insights, we feature the International Sales Manager for Tema Process, Koen Egberts.

Koen Egberts Explains how Fluid Bed Dryers Improve rCB Drying Efficiency

Tema Process were attending and exhibiting at the conference to present their Fluid Bed Dryer Solution which assists in the efficient drying of recovered carbon black. Besides this, Koen underlined the importance of coming to events such as this one to learn and understand the ongoing trends in the rCB market.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to TRR rCB Video Insights with Koen Egberts & Tema Process

00:46 Koen Egberts Discusses the Significance of Attending the rCB Conference for Tema Process

01:11 Tema Process Stress The Importance of Gentle Drying with rCB Pellets

01:48 Tema Process Forming Competitive Advantage by Focusing on Energy Savings and Safety

02:40 Conclusion

Serbia Considers EPR for Waste Management

Serbia is to many in the West an enigma. It has hopes to join the EU, but has sympathies with Russia. One step towards EU alignment is to catch up on waste management

It is understood that Serbia is actively looking at EPR, perhaps across a wider area, but to include tyres.

Italy is where Serbia is taking its lead on EPR and in a Linkedin post Innovando’s Cveta Majtanovic  announced a  formalised a partnership by signing an MoU between Confindustria Serbia, the Privredna komora Srbije | Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia and Innovando to redefine what a modern, digital, competitive EPR system (Extended Producer Responsibility) should look like for the next decade.

Mihailo Vesović, Deputy President of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, emphasised the importance of accelerating the alignment of domestic industry with European standards, noting that emissions in certain sectors remain above the EU average. He also recalled the introduction of the EU’s CBAM ((Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism)which  aims to establish a system that regulates carbon emissions in international trade. It is a policy that would allow European Union countries to charge a tax or fee on imported products that are produced with high carbon emissions.

Tyre and Rubber Recycling will shortly have a more in-depth article on the development of Serbian EPR schemes.

31st ETRA Conference: Call for Papers

This year’s ETRA  conference theme, Tyre Recycling: is the future Circular?, will illustrate the industry interests and expanding opportunities for the use of recycled tyre materials in traditional and innovative markets

In 2025 after the new EU Commission was appointed and a new policy was designed, green objectives seem to have been put in less prominent positions. However, the core values had already been internalised by society. Many companies and people have understood and agreed on the logic and the benefits.

The ETRA Conference Plenary sessions and spotlights will address industry trends, funding opportunities, and EU projects. With over 100 delegates from public and private sectors, this is a must-attend for professionals in tyre recycling and related fields.


You may submit your abstract by 10th February 2026. Full conference details are available HERE.

MC Pyrolysis on Continuous Reactor Design and the Drive for Efficient rCB Production

Li Chen, Managing Director of MC Pyrolysis joined us for the latest episode in our rCB Video Insight series and discussed the importance of the conference for connecting with both current and potential clients and outlines MC Pyrolysis’ ambitions within the European market, specifically highlighting their projects in Romania and Portugal.

Continuous Screw Reactors and Cost Efficiency are Reshaping Modern Pyrolysis

He touches on the shifting landscape of the pyrolysis sector, noting how global events like the Russia-Ukraine war and the pandemic have accelerated the demand for alternative energy and resources, prompting tyre companies to replace virgin carbon black with recovered materials.

Chapters:

0:00 Introduction to TRR rCB Video Insights & Li Chen

0:38 Value of the Conference & Client Networking

1:12 European Projects: Romania & Portugal

1:51 Market Trends: Impact of War & Pandemic

3:14 Screw Running Model vs. Drum Model

3:43 Advanced Sealing & Dual Cooling Systems

4:25 Price Advantage & European Standards

4:57 Technology Maturity & History

5:17 Conclusion

Kundaria Outlines Fornnax Global Growth Strategy for 2026

As 2026 begins, Fornnax enters a key phase of growth. Built on engineering excellence and a commitment to sustainable recycling, the company now aims for rapid, global expansion

“Our 2026 strategy is driven by four key priorities,” explains Jignesh Kundaria, Director & CEO of Fornnax.

We will strengthen our presence in major markets such as Europe, Australia, and the GCC, while continuing to grow across our existing regions. By aligning with local regulations and customer requirements, we aim to establish ourselves as a trusted global partner for advanced recycling solutions.

“A major milestone in this journey will be export-led global installations. In 2026, we will commission Europe’s highest-capacity shredding line, reinforcing our leadership in high-capacity recycling solutions,” said Kundaria.

Our goal is to lead in recycling technology by 2030 through innovative, efficient, and sustainable solutions. After a decade in tyre recycling, we’ve expanded into MSW, e-waste, cable, and aluminium. This growth includes major launches this year:

India’s largest e-waste and cable recycling line installation.

High-capacity MSW RDF recycling line commissioning.

“Sustainable growth must be scalable and profitable,” emphasises Kundaria. “In 2026, Fornnax will complete Phase One of our capacity expansion by establishing the world’s largest shredding equipment manufacturing facility. This 23-acre manufacturing unit, scheduled for completion in July 2026, will significantly enhance our production capability and global delivery capacity.

“Alongside this, we will continue to improve efficiency across manufacturing, supply chain, and service operations, while strengthening our service network across India, Australia, and Europe to ensure faster and more reliable customer support.

“People remain the foundation of Fornnax’s success. We will continue to invest in talent, leadership development, and a culture built on ownership, collaboration, and continuous improvement,” added Kundaria.

“With a strong commitment to sustainability in everything we do, our ambition is not only to grow our business, but also to actively support the circular economy and contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable future.”

Kundaria concluded; “Guided by a shared vision and disciplined execution, 2026 is set to be a defining year for us, driven by innovation across diverse recycling applications, large-scale global installations, and manufacturing excellence.”

REDISA Raises Red Flag on South African ELT

Following a visit by the Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Bernice Swarts’ to the Rustenburg Waste Tyre Depot in Tlhabane, the Recycling and Economic Development Initiative of South Africa has declared the country’s tyre waste management a “ticking time bomb”

“The Rustenburg Waste Tyre Depot is not representative of the dire state of depots across the country,” said Stacey Jansen, a director at REDISA.

REDISA has formally requested that the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) address significant governance issues, which it asserts have resulted in South Africa’s waste tyre depots posing substantial public health and environmental risks.

Jansen also added; “Perhaps the deputy minister should rather have visited the site of the disastrous Biesiesvlei depot in Lichtenburg, also in the North West.

“In 2023, the depot went up in flames, causing massive environmental damage.

“Despite the dire warning of Lichtenburg, the North West and all other provinces remain threatened by dangerously overburdened depots.

Dr Chris Crozier, an executive committee member of REDISA, claims the government is focusing on waste tyre storage and not recycling.

“The depots are so full that recently the DFFE put out tenders for another 32 waste tyre depots, totalling a million square metres.

“The latest DFFE Annual Report also shows they underspent on the transport budget because they don’t have storage space for the tyres.

“The DFEE has also just gone to tender to auction off some R100mworth of equipment that was ‘intended’ to be used for pre-processing tyres and ‘intended’ to generate revenue for the Waste Bureau, but is not being used.

“This is bluntly an admission of failure: they can’t deal with the tyres, and spent tens of millions on equipment that they can’t put to use.”

REDISA reports that South Africa generates at least 70,000 waste tyres daily. Many depots are not adhering to safety protocols, resulting in trucks being turned away and illegal dumping occurring. Eight years ago, South Africa led in tyre waste management with a system demonstrating circular solutions for varied waste streams. Currently, REDISA claims small businesses and micro-collectors are excluded from the recycling process as the Waste Management Bureau does not employ them.

REDISA operated a scheme that gave tyre collector the opportunity to hold a bank account and collections were tracked, and tyres were recycled until the government stepped in and brought an end to the successful operation.

Pyrum and UNITANK Establish JV in Europe

Pyrum Innovations AG from Saarland and Hamburg-based UNITANK Holding GmbH & Co. KG, a leading operator of independent tank farms, have signed a shareholder agreement to establish a joint venture

Over the next few years, this partnership is set to establish between five and ten advanced recycling facilities for end-of-life tyres throughout Europe. In the new joint venture, Pyrum owns 49% of the shares and UNITANK Group holds 51%.

Should the current agreements that Pyrum has in place come to fruition as fully operational plants, Pyrum and its partners will represent the largest, by volume, producer of tyre derived materials through pyrolysis.

The UniPyrum joint venture, headquartered in Hamburg, will manage the swift expansion of production sites across Germany and Europe. Each site will start with three advanced thermolysis reactors, recycling at least 22,000 tonnes of end-of-life tyres annually. b modular technology allows for flexible capacity growth based on demand.

Jan Vogel, CEO of UNITANK Group said; “We are delighted to take a decisive step forward in our long-standing and trusting partnership with Pyrum by establishing this joint venture today. In addition to our core business in the tank storage sector, this creates a new business area with strong growth potential that is independent of the energy transition. The combination of Pyrum’s leading technology and our extensive experience in operating critical infrastructure in the energy sector opens up exciting opportunities for the future. The aim is for the new joint venture to rapidly develop and operate a network of used tyre recycling plants in Germany and neighbouring countries.”

Pascal Klein, CEO of Pyrum Innovations AG added;  “Since our initial memorandum of understanding with UNITANK, we have worked intensively together to further develop our partnership. We are delighted to reach this important milestone today. Following the positive funding approval in Greece and the recently signed shareholder agreement with SUAS, the founding of the joint venture with UNITANK represents the next important step in finally accelerating the construction and operation of new plants. UNITANK’s many years of experience in operating critical infrastructure and its diverse technical and logistical expertise complement our technology perfectly. Together, we are significantly increasing Europe-wide recycling capacity for end-of-life tyres and actively promoting the circular economy.”

As part of the agreement, the first three plant locations were chosen, and extensive preparations began on pre-engineering tasks and the development of a business plan. UNITANK identified its Emleben site in Thuringia as a potential initial location. The parties agreed to promptly start the necessary approval processes. Simultaneously, UNITANK is in talks with prospective tyre suppliers and potential buyers for the final products.

LD Carbon on the Growth and Globalisation of the rCB and Pyrolysis Sector

BK Kim, Chief Commercial Officer for LD Carbon features in the newest episode of TRR rCB Conference Video Insights as he discusses LD Carbon‘s position as a leading pyrolysis operator in South Korea, manufacturing sustainable products such as recovered carbon black, char oil, and sustainable asphalt modifiers. He highlights the importance of the conference for gathering market intelligence and connecting with both pre-existing and new customers, particularly global tyre makers.

BK Kim Discusses Expansion Strategy, New Capacity, and the Technical Challenges Shaping rCB Markets

Listen to BK’s full interview in our latest video review from the rCB Conference.

Chapters:

0:00 Introduction to TRR rCB Video Insights & BK Kim

0:48 Market Intelligence & Meeting Global Tyre Makers

1:34 The New Dangjin Facility & Future Expansion

2:15 Strategic Focus on Joint Ventures in ASEAN

3:04 The Complexity of Quality & Consistency in rCB

3:58 The Need for Industry & Government Collaboration

4:22 Conclusion

Powerol Energy Systems on the Development of Pyrolysis and rCB Production in India

Episode 7 of TRR rCB Conference Video Insights has now been published and in this video review, we speak with Balaji Kothandan, CEO and Co-Founder for Powerol Energy Systems. Balaji discusses Powerol’s position as a leading manufacturer of pyrolysis and rCB plants in Andhra Pradesh and highlights the significant transformation of the Indian sector towards a more organised industry dominated by large listed companies.

How automation, Scale, and Regulation Are Assisting Tyre Recycling in India

He details their fully automated, continuous plant technology , which ensures safety and process control with minimal staffing, supplying high-grade rCB to major global tyre brands.

Chapters:

0:00 Introduction to TRR rCB Video Insights & Balaji Kothandan

0:48 The Shift to an Organised Sector in India

1:50 Supplying Major Tyre Brands & Global Expansion

2:47 Automation, Safety & Process Control

3:34 Manufacturing Strategy: In-House Design & European Tech

5:27 Improving Industry Credibility & Accountability

7:12 Future Outlook: Double Digit Growth

7:52 Conclusion

ETRA Conference 2026: Tyre Recycling: is the Future Circular ? 

The 31st Annual ETRA Conference on Tyre Recycling will take place Tuesday through Thursday, 24-26 March 2026 at Le Louise Hotel in Brussels

The Green Deal has been criticised under different point of view from many parts. In 2025 after the new EU Commission has been appointed and a new policy has been designed  green objectives have been put in less prominent position. However, the core values had been already internalized by the society. Companies and people have understood and agreed on the logic and the benefits. Despite this, there will be revisions, adapting in the objective and in the schedule, the way is marked.

What is at stake for Europe is not just economic growth, but the future of its model. Europe must be the place where tomorrow’s technologies, services, and clean products are invented, manufactured and marketed, as we stay the course to climate neutrality. Three transformational imperatives have been identified to boost competitiveness:

  • Closing the innovation gap
  • A joint roadmap for decarbonisation and competitiveness
  • Reducing excessive dependencies and increasing security

In 2024 EU automotive industry entered a severe crisis which worsened in 2025, obliging the EU Commission to review the 2035 deadline of zero emission goal.

This downturn is generating a vicious deflationary circle pushing the adoption of trade protection measures through tariff adoption, which will probably worsen the situation. It is difficult to believe that tyre production will not be affected. This will have implications either on the EOL tyre generation and their management. Then there are all the strategic, economic, technical aspects connected to Rubber. Despite NR being no longer classified as Critical Raw Material (CRM) the reality is even more critical: the supply chain is still at high risk owing to the political instability in many global areas.

From one side there are pushes to postpone decarbonisation going back to older models, on the other side recycled rubber has become a reliable alternative to virgin materials.

This is where we are now. And the future? Is it Circular ? We will try to discover together during three days Conference.

The Workshop on Tuesday is designed to offer a practical responses to technicians of Public Administrations about the use of rubberized asphalt as regard to materials and mixes, comparative performance data, how to use standard equipment, which norms to apply and GPP.

The Plenary Sessions on Wednesday will focus on the Critical Challenges we face: Where tyre recycling is going; what are the quantity of ELT arisings across the EU, how they are changing at global and local level; old or green economy, which one is prevailing. Then what could make the sector economy work better, what the market is demanding, what are main changes in the value chains and most effective market models, without forgetting the role of innovation.

We will try to answer to some questions: Which will be the EU Policy changes? How will the crisis of the Automotive industry and other changes in mobility impact recycling? Will tyre manufacturers  focus on using more recyclates in Europe or will they move production outside the EU ? These are just some points that will be addressed. Then we will look to the options of road and transport infrastructures as well as those in the building sector. 

Furthermore, the exciting Spotlight on Innovation will offer an overview on new products trends and developmentsNew technologies, EU Projects.

Thursday will start by considering various technologies for material recycling to use them back into new products in rubber and polymers. Pyrolysis is still a field of innovation and attract the attention of tyre manufacturers and investors. Then we will have a look at Retreading which was and still is the most sustainable way to recycle tyres, thanks to improved technologies. The last session will be on EU Programs, Cooperation and Funding opportunities. 

There are many informal opportunities for delegates and speakers to meet and discuss common interests during, cocktail receptions and meals and after-hours meetings.