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Continental Tyres has been awarded “Tyre Industry Environmental and Sustainable Solution of the Year” at the prestigious National Tyre Distributors Association (NTDA) Tyre Industry Awards 2024
The award, presented at the Association’s 94th Annual Dinner, was decided by a panel of industry experts and recognises outstanding corporate social responsibility within the tyre industry.
Beating off competition from Bridgestone, Hankook, Marangoni and Michelin Tyres, the award reflects the tyre manufactures ongoing commitment to driving sustainability across all of its operations – from enhancing the efficiency of its manufacturing processes and supply chain to developing innovative, eco-friendly materials.
Commenting on Continental’s win NTDA CEO Stefan Hay said; “The judges felt that in a fiercely contested category, the Continental award entry stood out against the four other excellent entries because of the highly demonstrable progress it is now making towards achieving its ambitious mission to become the world’s most progressive tyre manufacturer in terms of environmental and social responsibility through its highly strategic ‘Group Sustainability Ambitions’ initiative.
“It is clear, that Continental’s approach is not only yielding results, but also shows that its strategy is becoming a reality across the entire business and that the initiative is putting Continentalin a thought leadership role when it comes to ESG.”
Pete Robb, Marketing Director at Continental, said; “Every tyre that leaves our production line reflects our dedication to delivering the best performance, innovation, and safety – and we’re committed to ensuring this approach is executed as sustainably as possible. It’s an honour to be recognised by the NTDA for our ongoing efforts to innovate in this area, and truly reflects the hard work and dedication of our teams.”
Gradeall, a market leader in waste tyre management, is taking significant strides in the industry with their latest developments the OTR Splitter and OTR Sidewall Cutter
Best known for their renowned MK2 tyre balerand sidewall cutter machines, Gradeallis now addressing the challenges posed by massive Off-The-Road (OTR) tyres.
For years, these enormous tyres have been a significant challenge in waste management due to their size, weight, and difficulty in disposal. However, Gradeall is providing a much-needed solution. Conor Murphy, Director from Gradeall, proudly shares; “These machines are the result of five years of dedicated research and development. We have created a reliable, user-friendly method to downsize these large tyres, responding to the demands of our customers and enhancing our existing tyre recycling range.”
The latest iterations of these OTR machines can now deal with tyres up to 2.2m in outside diameter and up to 1m in width which covers the majority of commonly used OTR tyres.
The OTR Tyre Processing Journey
Gradeall OTR Tyre Splitter
The first step in this process involves the OTR Splitter. Tyres are placed on a precision-engineered, toughened steel idler wheel, which hydraulically lifts the tyre into a rotating cutting blade. This blade, also powered by hydraulics, makes multiple passes around the tyre’s circumference, splitting it in half within approximately one minute. The resulting halves are easily removed from the machine using a forklift.
Gradeall OTR Sidewall Cutter
These tyre halves are then moved to the OTR Sidewall Cutter, an enhanced version of Gradeall’s well-regarded Truck & Agricultural tyre sidewall cutter. The hydraulic arm lifts the tyre to a cutting wheel that separates the sidewall from the tread, taking about a minute per tyre half. This process results in each tyre being cut into four manageable pieces: two sidewalls and two tread sections.
By processing OTR tyres through these machines, over 50 per cent of the original space required for storage and transport is saved, drastically reducing costs. The processed tyres are also easier to handle and are primed for further recycling methods such as baling or shredding, turning what was once a logistical nightmare into a manageable process.
Efficiency, Space, and Cost Savings
Gradeallhas successfully exported these machines to over 12 countries, and customer feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Clients appreciate the effectiveness of these machines in solving a previously insurmountable problem, reinforcing Gradeall’scommitment to continuous innovation and improvement.
Scandinavian Enviro Systems appointed Fredrik Aaben as new CFO
Fredrik Aaben, new CFO of Enviro
Fredrik Aaben joins Enviro from his role of Head of Corporate Finance at Volvo Cars, where he has a long-standing background of managerial positions in finance, M&A and strategy.
Aaben will take up his position in November 2024 and will work in parallel with the current interim CFO Christian Bergaust for a transitional period.
Aaben has a long-standing background at Volvo Cars that has included developing the company’s Corporate Finance department and, as Head of Corporate Finance, he was responsible for a diverse range of activities including M&A, raising capital and group capital structure issues.
Aaben was also involved in the IPO of Volvo Cars as well as the SPAC listing of its subsidiary Polestar.
Shred-Tech has expanded capabilities and global presence with the acquisition of CM Shredders by parent The Heico companies. With the change in ownership comes a change in business direction
CM Shredders have long held a strong reputation as being amongst the best in the business. Designed to clean steel and leave wire free rubber behind, the CM Liberator has long been a stalwart in the tyre recycling industry. However, the Sarasota-based operation had always faced a bit of a supply lag in supporting clients in Europe. Parts could be ordered from CM Shredders, and whilst they might be dispatched quickly, there was always going to be a time lag between making the order and receiving the delivery. That could mean potential downtime if a critical part was not readily available.
Shred Tech already had a base in the UK supplying parts and build services for secure document disposal vehicles. The relocation of that operation to a 13,000 square foot unit has created the opportunity for CM Shredders to carry parts in the UK to better service the UK and European markets.
Cedric Raffi, General Manager Shred Tech EMEA Region
Cedric Raffi is the General Manager of Shred Tech in the EMEA region including Europe, Middle East and Africa, he explained; “We are looking at growing our market in Europe, and through this depot in the UK and a sister company in the Netherlands, we will be able to give a much-improved service to the market.
“We know that CM has the right equipment, it is the best in the market, and we want to be in a position to better serve our clients in Europe. From Bedford, we are in an ideal position to reach most of the UK with a fast replacement parts service.”
The Bedford site currently has eight staff, but as the CM side of the business grows Cedric hopes to recruit a salesman and further engineers.
Cedric says; “when people invest in a CM shredder, they are investing in a longer term business. We can support clients to help maintain running costs at a lower level by providing parts and service that is backed byCM. Our patented knives system has multiple lives and can be resharpened rather than replacing them. Ultimately, the whole life costs are a better prospect with CM than with some lower cost machinery.”
Future developments in Bedford will be the creation of a facility to completely refurbish machinery to give it further life. The ability to give second life to the equipment further enhances the whole life costs and will give clients, perhaps, a further 10 years’ use of their machinery.
Until now, CM has largely operated from its US base in Florida. It is some years since there was any sales representation in Europe. Cedric says; “CM is back on the scene and we will be proactive in the coming months and years. For example, we will be at IFATnext time around. We need to be there in front of our potential customers to show them what benefits and service we can offer.”
On the state of the market, Cedric was aware of the challenges the UK sector faced. Similar challenges also face the market in Germany, and across Europe there is a reliance on exports to bolster recovery and “disposal” rates. However, the growing drive for recycling at source gives hope that along with better waste management across Europe and future restrictions on exports to some markets, there will be a boost to the domestic recycling sector. In the meantime, CM is preparing the ground by developing the support infrastructure needed to service the existing and future markets.
It is worth noting that Shred Techand CM Shredders are part of the Heico Group, a multinational operation with involvement in a wide range of sectors from logistics infrastructure, through construction to metal processing.
Retreading Business and Tyre & Rubber Recycling magazines, the organisers of the Recircle Awards, have announced a number of new initiatives to drive inclusivity and engagement across the tyre retreading and tyre recycling sectors as it seeks to evolve and expand its position as the key industry awards event recognising sustainability in the tyre industry.
In announcing the launch of the 2025 Recircle Awards, which will culminate in a glittering ceremony to be held next May during Autopromotec 2025in Bologna, Italy, David Wilson, Publisher ofRetreading Businessand Tyre & Rubber Recycling, revealed the company’s latest initiatives:
Richard and David Wilson launch the Recicrcle Awards 2025
“2025 marks the fourth edition of the Recircle Awards, and we are delighted to able to announce our continued co-operation with Autopromotec. We look forward to being able to host an enhanced ceremony in Bologna next May, and we thank Renzo Servadei and his team for their valued support in helping us to expand the influence of the Recircle Awards as the key awards event recognising the valuable contribution made by the tyre retreading and recycling sectors to the circular economy and to the sustainability of the tyre industry as a whole.
“We are constantly looking for ways to increase the scope of the Awards and to drive engagement from companies from across the industry both large and small, and in analysing feedback from the market, we identified the need to alter the weighting of the voting process in order to gain the optimum balance between the opinions of our expert judges and engagement from the wider market. As a result, 65% of the voting strength in the 2025 awards will now be allocated to the views expressed by our independent Nominations Committee.
“We have also increased the robustness of the nominations and voting process by asking shortlisted nominees to submit a written case in support of their nomination which can be analysed by the Committee, as well as increasing the amount of information required to be input by the voting public in order to minimise the risk of frivolous and/or organised mass voting.
“We are constantly looking at ways to improve the awards and we hope that these changes will represent a positive development as we strive to expand the profile and credibility of the Awards on a global level. We look forward to next year’s Awards ceremony with anticipation.”
In line with the 2023 event, the Recircle Awards 2025 will incorporate a total of 22 awards covering a wide and balanced range of categories from across the tyre industry. The first 18 awards categories were announced today and are as follows:
Lifetime Achievement Award in the Tyre Retreading Sector
Lifetime Achievement Award in the Tyre Recycling Sector
Retreader of the Year Award
Tyre Recycler of the Year Award
Best Retreading Industry Innovation
Best Tyre Recycling Innovation
Employee of the Year
Best Company Director
Spirit of Retreading Award
Circular Economy Award
Best Tread Rubber Supplier
Best Retreading Equipment Supplier
Best Retreading Accessory and Consumables Supplier
Best Tyre Recycling Industry Supplier
Women’s Award for the Tyre Retreading Sector
Women’s Award for the Tyre Recycling Sector
Best Tyre Recycling Research Project
Business Breakthrough Award
A further four categories will be announced on Monday February 10, 2025
Meanwhile, nominations for the Recircle Awards are now open and can be made via the official voting/nominations platform on the Recircle Awards website at www.recircleawards.com.
The shortlist, to be announced in a virtual Nominations Ceremony on Monday, January 20, 2025, will once again be selected by a specially constituted Nominations Committee of 15 people, consisting of the respective editors of Retreading Business and Tyre & Rubber Recycling plus a further thirteen individuals from the global tyre retreading and recycling industries selected according to their independent status and their acknowledged expertise within their respective fields.
Voting for the 2025 Recircle Awards will open as soon as the shortlists are announced and will run until Friday, March 14, 2025.
The Awards Ceremony will take place on Thursday 22 May 2025, during Autopromotec 2025 in Bologna.
More details of the Awards Ceremony and associated activities at Autopromotec 2025 will be released in due course.
About Retreading Business and Tyre & Rubber Recycling:
Retreading Business, established in 1997, is the only global business-to-business magazine for the tyre retreading industry. The magazine is recognised as a key authority on the retreading sector worldwide.
Tyre & Rubber Recycling, established in 2009, is edited by tyre recycling expert Ewan Scott and has also established itself as a global authority on its sector. Both magazines operate as part of a wider publishing group specialising in business-to-business publications for the tyre and automotive sector, including Retreading Business, Tyre & Rubber Recycling, Commercial Tyre Business, The Tyreman and Truck & Bus News.
REGOM, is excited to announce the launch of its new tyre identification machine and industrial line at the newly established TC Environnement (TCE) facility
Located on a 4-hectare site in Digoin, France, TCE represents a major leap forward for both companies, combining advanced technology and sustainable practices to address the growing demand for efficient tyre recycling solutions.
TCE marks the next chapter in a journey that began with TC58, a subsidiary of the TC Group focused on logistics and transportation. It was at TC58 where the first version of REGOM’s tyre sorting machine was initially introduced. Today, the full tyre sorting and recycling operation has transitioned to TCE, now home to a new state-of-the-art industrial line.
A Leader with Practical Knowledge
What sets this project apart is not only the technology and the expertise but also the leadership driving it. Arthur Wagner, the CEO of both REGOM and TCE, brings unique insight into the industry. Wagner understands the day-to-day realities of tyre recycling. His involvement in both businesses provides him with a rare combination of technical knowledge and hands-on experience. This allows REGOM to create solutions that go beyond simply selling machines; the company delivers systems built from a genuine understanding of the operational challenges faced by tyre recyclers.
Wagner commented on the significance of this transition; “Moving our tyre sorting operations from TC58 to TCE has allowed us to scale up our capacity and expand our capabilities. With the newly engineered industrial line and the addition of the Precimeca shredder, we’ve greatly improved our efficiency, making us more competitive in an increasingly regulated recycling industry. This setup not only allows us to create new revenue streams but also helps us stay ahead in a market that demands both innovation and sustainability.”
A Fully Engineered Line: REGOM’s End-to-End Expertise
The new industrial line at TCE is proof to REGOM’sfull engineering expertise. The entire project, from the initial concept to the final installation, was managed internally by the REGOM’steam: from the unloading of tyres at the facility to the final stages of sorting and shredding. The system begins with tyre debulking, separation, and alignment, all synchronised withREGOM’s advanced identification and sorting machine. Tyres are then graded according to specific criteria, and data is compiled by proprietary software that tracks every stage of the process.
Once the grading is complete, the tyres are either sorted for resale and retreading or sent to the shredding stage, where batches of non-reusable tyres are processed for other recycling streams. By handling each phase—tyre intake, identification, sorting, and final exit—REGOM ensures that each system is perfectly integrated into their client’s operations.
The Future of Tyre Recycling
As demand for sustainable recycling practices continues to grow, facilities like TCE will play a critical role in shaping the future of the industry. REGOM’s approach—combining technological innovation with a deep understanding of the industry’s operational realities—ensures that the company remains at the forefront of tyre recycling advancements.
Genan says that in a world where sustainability is paramount, the infrastructure we build today must not only meet current needs but also contribute to a greener future
Road construction, often a significant contributor to environmental impact, is now embracing innovation with GENAN ROAD+ PREMIXED — a more sustainable elastomer modifier for bitumen and asphalt. This product represents a shift towards a more responsible and eco-conscious approach to infrastructure development.
GENAN ROAD+ PREMIXED incorporates high-quality rubber powder from recycled tyres, providing enhanced durability for roads while reducing waste and cutting CO2 emissions. With increasing emphasis on circular economy solutions, this advanced technology is helping redefine road construction.
Improved Performance through Cutting-Edge Technology
Developed through extensive research and technological innovation, GENAN ROAD+ PREMIXED combines rubber powder from Genan with Vestenamer® from Evonik to create a homogenous, easy-to-handle elastomer modifier. This one-component solution simplifies the construction process and enables asphalt and bitumen suppliers to work more efficiently while conserving resources.
Thomas Ballegaard, CCO at Genan
“One of the product’s key advantages is its versatility, as it is suitable for both wet and dry processes. This flexibility offers contractors the ability to achieve optimal results, even in changing weather conditions,”Thomas Ballegaard, CCO at Genan, explains. Laboratory tests and real-world projects have demonstrated its impressive performance. With just 10% of GENAN ROAD+ PREMIXED, results match or surpass those achieved by traditional 4% SBS modifiers. Roads constructed with this product show greater resistance to rutting and deformation, ensuring a longer lifespan and reduced maintenance needs—a crucial benefit, especially after harsh winters that leave many roads riddled with potholes.
A Greener Future with Genan
By recycling worn-out tyres into asphalt, GENAN ROAD+ PREMIXED offers an innovative solution to the growing challenge of tyre disposal. As the world’s largest recycler of tyres, Genan processes a portion of the 7,000,000 tyres discarded globally each day, preventing them from ending up in landfills. The company’s six factories contribute to a reduction of up to 280,000 tons of CO2 emissions annually.
“Our commitment to sustainability is at the heart of everything we do at Genan,” says Thomas Ballegaard and continues; “With GENAN ROAD+ PREMIXED, we’re not just improving the roads we drive on; we’re also playing a vital role in reducing the environmental impact of road construction. It’s a solution that combines innovation, performance, and responsibility.”
As the industry continues to evolve, products like GENAN ROAD+ PREMIXED will be essential for shaping a sustainable future. Investing in these greener solutions is not only a step towards improved infrastructure but also a pivotal move towards circular economy practices that benefit both the planet and future generations.
REGOM, a leading tyre recycling technology business, has officially expanded into the United States, establishing its first U.S. office at the Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC) in Boston
Originally from Digoinin the Burgundy region of France, REGOM is stepping up its international efforts, further positioning itself as a key player in the tyre recycling industry.
Strategic Expansion to Serve the U.S. Tire Recycling Market
The new Boston office allows REGOM to better support the American tyre recycling sector
After years of active engagement at trade shows and conferences across the United States, REGOM is responding to the evolving needs of the American tyre recycling industry by establishing a direct presence in Boston. This move will allow the company to better serve local recyclers and expand its footprint in a market where pressures from regulations and competition are becoming more pronounced.
Having evolved in the highly regulated French market, REGOM wisesh to bring its experience and expertise to the U.S. tyre recycling sector. The company has developed its AI-powered technology while navigating stringent regulations in France, making it well-prepared to support American recyclers as they face increasing market pressures.
A Competitive Edge for U.S. Recyclers
REGOM’s expansion into the U.S. market offers tyre companies and recycling facilities access to cutting-edge technology designed to address both operational and financial challenges. The company’s AI-driven systems streamline the sorting and grading of used tyres, improving throughput and accuracy. This efficiency boost allows companies to reduce manual labour costs, minimise environmental impact, and generate new revenue opportunities by identifying tyres suitable for resale or retreading.
Technology-Driven Solutions for Tire Recycling
REGOM’s solutions are specifically designed to meet the complex needs of tyre recyclers. The company’s technology not only optimises the sorting and grading of tyres but also integrates data compilation and analytics to offer real-time insights into recycling operations. This allows companies to make data-driven decisions that maximise profitability while meeting strict environmental standards.
By setting up in Boston, REGOM is positioned to collaborate more closely with U.S.-based tyre companies, recyclers, and industry stakeholders. The move also facilitates partnerships with local and international players in the recycling sector, offering new opportunities for innovation and growth.
During Rubbertech China 2024 from 19th to 21st September 2024, Green Gold Giant Company showed its advanced comprehensive solution for the green and high-value recycling of waste tyres.
At the exhibition, Green Gold Giant focused on three major recycling sectors: equipment, materials and research and development, and introduced its low carbon, green, and high-value recycling solution for waste tyres to global customers.
Green Gold Giant launched five comprehensive solutions for the green and high-value recycling of waste rubber, offering customised and efficient services for different customer types.
The five solutions are:
Devulcanisation equipment for waste tyres utilising multi-stage screw extruders
Continuous and efficient pyrolysis technology and rCB modifcation technology
Complete sets of equipment for preparing devulcanized rubber from waste EPDM
Complete sets of equipment for preparing devulcanized rubber from waste butyl rubber
Customised equipment for the continuous preparation of waste powder or composite particle activated rubber powder
Solution 1: Devulcanisation Equipment for Waste Tyres and Rubber by Multi-stage Screw Extruders
This solution uses waste tyres as raw materials. The equipment breaks the bonds of C-S-C, C-S-S-C, or C-Sx-C within the cross-linked network of waste rubber by physical or chemical methods. The waste rubber produced can be reprocessed, enabling the high-value reuse of waste tyres. At present, this equipment has been applied in rubber companies in Europe and Asia. the core patent has won the Excellence Award for Chinese Invention Patents.
This system uses the linkage technology of twin-screw continuous desulphurisation under normal pressure and twin-screw continuous low-temperature refining extrusion technology to achieve the green preparation of recycled rubber. It is environmentally friendly, safe, saves labour saving, offers stable performance, and is both clean and automatic.
More than 20 sets of the equipment have been sold globally, with one Chinese tyre company using it to produce 150,000 tons of recycled rubber annually, of which 100,000 tons are used for their own production, a recycling rate of nearly 70%.
Solution 2: Continuous and Efficient Pyrolysis Technology and rCB Modifcation Technology
The pyrolysis production line of Green Gold Giant adopts a low temperature anaerobic pyrolysis process for the resolution of waste tyres. Through the thorough decomposition of the polymer in the waste tyre, it returns to the small molecule or monomer state, producing fuel oil, rCB and returned steel wire. Under the premise of safe, environmentally friendly, continuous and stable operation, the waste tyre can be recycled, harmlessly and reduced with the equipment.
The system is equipped with strong flexibility and can match multiple devices in parallel according to customer needs to obtain stable products. Waste tyres can be thermally cracked to obtain fuel oil (45% -55%), rCB (30% -35%), steel wire (10% -15%), and non-condensable combustible gases for the system self-use (8% -10%).
This system has 5 major advantages, material adaptability, being suitable for various types of waste rubber, low processing costs, efficient recycling, is environmentally friendly and incorporates intelligent automation.
In the future, as a pioneer in the recycling industry, Green Gold Giant says it will continue to follow its mission of “making polymer materials more environmentally friendly and processing lower carbon”, providing high-quality solutions and services to global customers, and continuously promoting the high-quality development of the industry.
GEP ECOTECH has provided the Macau Waste Incineration Centre with a production line that processes scrap tyres into TDF at a rate of 3 tons per hour
GEP ECOTECH, a Chinese leader in solid waste processing technologies, has successfully implemented a tyre-derived fuel (TDF) production line as part of the Macau Waste Incineration Centre’s third-phase expansion. The state-of-the-art facility processes scrap tyres at a rate of 3 tons per hour, converting them into a high-calorific fuel that will contribute significantly to Macau’s alternative energy needs.
This expansion not only boosts the city’s capacity to treat municipal solid waste, now handling up to 1,300 tons per day, but also introduces advanced solutions for processing special and hazardous waste. As part of Macau’s ongoing commitment to sustainability, the centre is expected to produce 400 million kWh of energy annually from alternative fuels, a key component of the city’s strategy to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels.
Wang Chunyang, GEP ECOTECH’s Project Installation Manager, highlighted the significance of the company’s involvement in this prestigious project; “The third-phase expansion at the Macau Waste Incineration Centrefeatures cutting-edge equipment sourced from leading global brands. Being selected to provide the TDF production line is a clear testament to the superior quality of our solutions. It reflects our commitment to international standards and underscores the trust that major clients place in our technologies.”
GEP ECOTECH’s tyre shredding system, specifically engineered for this project, ensures that scrap tires are processed efficiently, maximising fuel output while minimising waste. The technology plays a pivotal role in addressing both energy and environmental challenges by transforming discarded tyres into a valuable resource.
The expansion of the Macau Waste Incineration Centre aligns with global trends in waste-to-energy initiatives, where the use of alternative fuels such as TDF, RDF, and SRF reduces greenhouse gas emissions and landfill dependency. By turning waste into a valuable energy source, GEP ECOTECH helps cities like Macau achieve their sustainability goals while contributing to the circular economy.
