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VACC Supports Waste Tyre Enquiry

Ewan Scott
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VACC Supports Waste Tyre Enquiry

Victoria’s principal automotive organisation has urged the government to implement a mandate regarding end-of-life tyres, aiming to combat illegal dumping and promote investment in recycling initiatives, in Australia

The Victorian Automotive Chamber of Commerce (VACC) has formally announced its advocacy for a mandatory, co-regulated stewardship scheme designed to establish clear accountability across every stage of the tyre lifecycle—from manufacturers and importers to retailers and end consumers. The proposed initiative aims to create equitable industry conditions, ensuring all participants fulfil their environmental responsibilities. This stance is in response to the ongoing inquiry by the House of Representatives’ Standing Committee on Industry, Innovation and Science regarding the Australian tyre industry’s contribution to the circular economy.

Furthermore, VACC is urging the government to advance beyond investigation and implement a compulsory product stewardship scheme for end-of-life tyres, drawing inspiration from the successful model operating in New Zealand. Chief Executive Officer Peter Jones described the inquiry as long overdue, yet a positive development. He emphasised that the automotive sector requires fair regulation of waste tyre management, noting the inadequacy of current practices for compliant businesses.

Presently, Australia produces over 67 million end-of-life tyres annually, with approximately 25 per cent unaccounted for in Victoria—raising concerns about illegal dumping and stockpiling. According to VACC, the current voluntary stewardship scheme, while beneficial in supporting research initiatives, has not significantly lowered collection costs or stimulated substantial investment in recycling infrastructure.

 Jones highlighted the challenges posed by non-compliant operators who disadvantage responsible businesses through deceptive practices, including unlawful disposal of tyres, which creates fire hazards and impairs local communities. He underscored that this issue extends beyond environmental impacts, representing a matter of competitive fairness for law-abiding enterprises.  Jones called for more stringent penalties on illegal dumping and enhanced regulatory measures to safeguard both the environment and legitimate industry stakeholders.

VACC reiterated its commitment to collaborating with the parliamentary inquiry and governmental authorities to develop practical, innovative solutions, promote investment in recycling technologies, and support sustainable business models within Victoria’s automotive industry.  Jones also accentuated the significant capacity of the tyre sector to foster a circular economy and generate employment in recycling and resource recovery. He asserted that government leadership and a mandated stewardship framework are crucial to realising these opportunities.

Tyre Stewardship Australia expressed support for Rob Mitchell MP’s efforts in addressing the complexities involved in advancing circular outcomes for end-of-life tyres nationwide. According to their statement, the current inquiry represents an important step towards leveraging $70 million in domestic market potential offered by a reinforced circular economy for tyres. Recent developments, such as the ‘round trip summit’ in Melbourne—which convened over 200 global industry figures—demonstrated widespread endorsement of strengthening domestic markets and underscored the need to redirect end-of-life tyres into the local economy.

Tyre Stewardship Australia advocates for a holistic approach encompassing the entire tyre lifecycle, from design to recycling and market expansion, consistent with international best practices regarding chemical management, reuse, retreading, and preparing the industry for advanced circular economy objectives. The committee is currently accepting written submissions related to the inquiry terms of reference until Friday, January 23, 2026, and encourages comprehensive engagement from all automotive industry stakeholders.

Tyrewise Talk Data Collection, Logistics and Fraud Prevention at Round Trip Summit

Richard Wilson
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Tyrewise Talk Data Collection, Logistics and Fraud Prevention at Round Trip Summit

In our latest TRR Insights video, we speak with Cam Edwards, Data & Systems Manager at Tyrewise who discusses how data collection is a key pillar for planning the Tyrewise scheme’s future. He also touches on key findings from the first year of operation, including collection volumes and the long distances tyres are traveling for processing.

Tyrewise: Data Collection Feeding into Continuously Improving Scheme

In this video, Camexplains how the data system is crucial for fraud prevention, using automatic flags for weighbridge discrepancies, suspicious distances, and even image recognition. Finally, he outlines how the Tyrewise team and field reps respond to and investigate these potential fraud incidents.

Chapters:

0:00 Introduction to TRR Video Insights & Cam Edwards

0:49 Data as a Key Pillar for Planning the Tyrewise Scheme

1:32 Key Data Findings: Collection Volumes & Transport Distances

2:32 Using Data for Fraud Prevention: Flags & Weighbridges

3:30 How Tyrewise Responds to Potential Fraud Incidents

4:14 Conclusion

Trans-Tasman Tyre Recycling Alliance Formed

Ewan Scott
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Trans-Tasman Tyre Recycling Alliance Formed

Tyre Stewardship Australia (TSA) and Tyrewise New Zealand have launched the Trans-Tasman Tyre Recycling Alliance (TTRA), an independent body aimed at improving circular economy results for end-of-life tyres in Australia and New Zealand

Funded by both TSA and Tyrewise, TTRA seeks to promote regional collaboration, innovation, knowledge sharing, and higher industry standards, with future plans to involve Pacific neighbours. The initiative follows the successful Round Trip Summit in Melbourne, which drew over 200 global stakeholders.  

Formalising Regional Collaboration

Together, Australia and New Zealand produce more than 600,000 tonnes of tyres that reach the end of their life each year. Both countries encounter obstacles with adopting new technologies, developing markets, and navigating regulations. However, their approaches differ due to distinct market sizes and structures. New Zealand has fewer opportunities for using recycled tyre materials, so it seeks to learn from Australia’s wider experience with downstream uses. On the other hand, Australia can benefit from New Zealand’s implementation of a mandatory regulatory scheme.

Tyre Stewardship Australia 
TSA’s Lina Goodman

Lina Goodman, CEO of Tyre Stewardship Australia, emphasised the strategic importance of the partnership;  “We must work together across borders to unlock the full potential of circular tyre recovery and build resilience against global market disruptions. Through TTRA, we can get ahead of risks, capitalise on opportunities, and accelerate the development of local markets for tyre-derived materials.”

Adele Rose, CEO of 3R Group which manages New Zealand’s Tyrewise scheme, note; “Tyrewise has demonstrated how quickly a regulated system can deliver high collection rates and meaningful recovery outcomes. Through TTRA, we can not only share our learnings but can also be the incubator for new technology that demonstrates how a regulated well-supported scheme can foster greater circular outcomes. In addition, this assists us to support our close pacific neighbours who receive new and used tyres from our respective countries, often without the resources to manage those tyres when they become end of life.”

Recent studies show Australia recycles only 30,000 tonnes of end-of-life tyres locally, losing over $50 million in resource value from OTR tyres each year. Currently, 40% of Australia’s old tyres and most of New Zealand’s are used for energy recovery instead of material recovery at home.

Adele Rose
Tyrewise’s Adele Rose

Shared Vision for Higher-Value Recovery

The new alliance will prioritise initiatives that involve higher-order material applications, including crumb rubber in roads, advanced manufacturing, and innovative product development.

The five strategic focus areas of TTRA will include:

  1. Technology and Innovation: Showcasing global best practices and facilitating connections between technology providers and end users.
  2. Market Development: Supporting demand creation for high-value tyre-derived products in infrastructure, manufacturing, and construction.
  3. Policy Advocacy: Advancing circular economy frameworks, procurement standards, and regulatory reform across both countries.
  4. Knowledge Sharing: Creating forums for industry collaboration and evidence-based decision making.
  5. Regional Voice: Australia and New Zealand operate in a global market where dynamics can shift rapidly. The TTRA will provide a unified voice for Australasia in international forums, ensuring our region’s interests and perspectives are represented in global tyre stewardship discussions.
     

Looking Ahead

The alliance will launch in early 2026, with governance and strategy details to be set soon. Planned initiatives include industry summits, technical groups, and joint research. TSA and Tyrewise will remain independent but provide support and expertise to the new regional body. Lina Goodman noted the alliance advances product stewardship, circular economy goals, and government mandates for recycled content, especially in infrastructure. Adele Rose highlighted that TTRA aims to foster resilient economies, job growth, innovation, and environmental responsibility through collaboration in tyre recycling.

TIP Research on TRWP Testing

Ewan Scott
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TIP Research on TRWP Testing

Tyre Road Wear Particles have become an increasing concern with EV tyre and brake wear emissions claimed to exceed exhaust emissions from late model ICE cars

The Tire Industry Project, a group of leading tyre manufacturers, has been working to quantify and address the problem. The thinking is that unless you know what the problem is, you cannot solve it.

The first step is analysing the emissions

The Tire Industry Project has announced the publication of a new scientific study that confirms the robustness of an improved Pyrolysis-Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) method for quantifying tyre and road wear particles (TRWP) in environmental samples.

Titled “Pyrolysis-GC/MS calibration for environmental quantification of tire tread: Standards and marketplace averaged elastomer subunit profiles” and published in the peer-reviewed journal Chemosphere’s September 2025 volume, the study validates a Py-GC/MS protocol that now improves accuracy and reproducibility in quantifying TRWPs in soil and sediment, even when particle composition varies by either geography or tyre manufacturing method. The research was conducted by Stantec Consulting Services, Inc. and supported by TIP as part of its ongoing commitment to advancing tire wear emissions science.

Why It Matters

TRWPs are receiving increased attention from scientists and regulators, and accurate measurement is essential to understanding their potential impact on ecosystems and human health. This study addresses a long-standing challenge: the variability in rubber composition between calibration standards and real-world tire samples. By using market-weighted average elastomer profiles from the US and EU, researchers refined the Py-GC/MS protocol to reduce measurement bias and improve consistency across diverse environmental samples.

Py-GC/MS is recognised as the most advanced and accurate method of TRWP analysis by the scientific community. In the current study, researchers analyzing cryo-milled tire tread (CMTT) samples representative of market averages from the US and EU found that the samples contained similar styrene and butadiene content across both regions. By modifying the Py-GC/MS protocol to leverage this finding, the researchers confirmed the mitigation of known sources of environmental measurement bias, strengthening the method’s ability to account for real-world variability in TRWP composition.

Key Findings:

  • Improved calibration: Uses representative cryo-milled tyre tread (CMTT) samples to ensure accurate quantification across geographies.
  • Standardisation support: Contributes to the development of international standards such as ISO/DIS 21396 and ISO/AWI 20593.
  • Scalability: Calibration standards remain stable for up to three months at 4°C, enabling efficient batch preparation and multi-laboratory application.

“This study represents a significant step forward in harmonizing methodologies and standardsing TRWP quantification,” said Larisa Kryachkova, Executive Director of TIP. “By advancing the Py-GC/MS method, which TIP has supported through years of sustained research and partnership, we’re ultimately strengthening the global scientific ecosystem’s ability to collaboratively understand and address tire wear emissions.”

To read the full study, visit: https://tireparticles.info/academic-resource/#post-596

TNU Discusses New Recycling Decree at Zaragoza Conference

Ewan Scott
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TNU Discusses New Recycling Decree at Zaragoza Conference

The TNU Collective System has started its National Information Round in Zaragoza on Royal Decree 712/2025, approved on 26 December

The conference, held on Thursday 13th November, brought together producers, importers and distributors of tyres from Aragon, with the aim of offering them practical information and resolving doubts about the application of the new legal framework that will regulate the management of End-of-Life Tyres.

The new regulation redefines the obligations of tyre producers and importers, reinforcing transparency, traceability and the circular economy throughout the sector, and represents a qualitative leap in the environmental management of end-of-life tyres, by introducing greater control, shared responsibility and communication between all the agents involved.

The Royal Decree introduces a stricter framework for producers, establishing mandatory adherence to a single SCRAP, the reinforcement of the traceability of the registration number, reformulating prevention plans for producers, the environmental modulation of economic contributions and a significant increase in information and transparency obligations.

In statements by Juan Ramón Pérez, president of TNU; “the priority is that our member producers and workshops have accurate, orderly and accessible information to be able to adapt with legal certainty to this new regulation”. This informative process, he added, will allow companies to know exactly what they must modify in their procedures and how to comply from day one.

The operational director of TNU, Javier de Jesús Landesa, also stressed that “the Royal Decree requires much more rigorous traceability and constant communication with the SCRAP; Our role is to accompany producers so that this transition is clear and without uncertainties.”

The tour will continue through other Spanish cities until the communication to all the companies adhering to the system is completed.

Tyre Scandal Wins Journalist Award

Ewan Scott
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Tyre Scandal Wins Journalist Award

The BBC investigation into the UK’s waste tyre scandal has won its presenter, Paul Kenyon an award

Kenyon stated ; “I’m thrilled to have won the Society of Editors Award for best environmental journalism last night in London, at a ceremony in London, alongside my brilliant producer Anna Meisel, Carl Johnston, and two of our colleagues from SourceMaterial, Jess Staufenberg and Atika Rehman.”

The investigation was for the BBC’s fabulous File on 4 Investigates strand, and exposed the millions of end-of-life tyres we export from the UK each year, to India, where they are cooked in illegal and dangerous ovens, causing toxic pollution, ill health, and sometimes death.

Kenyon added; “It’s one of the biggest environmental scandals of our time, but because it’s happening in slow motion and out of sight, we tend to overlook it. Our waste tyres should be kept in the UK, and properly recycled, not sent to voiceless and deprived communities on the other side of the world. Most of us don’t even know it’s happening. But we do now. Watch this space. We’re planning a follow up.”

The follow-up should be interesting as the Environment Agency, as a direct result of the programme and the threat of litigation from Fighting Dirty,  has begun to act on enforcing the regulations on waste tyres that they had previously been lax about.

The programme embarrassed Indian authorities as well, and there are changes in enforcement taking place in India also.

Just how far the impact of the revelations will go remains to be seen.

It should also be remembered that the Tyre Recovery Association, independent recyclers and Tyre and Rubber Recycling had been reporting on this problem for almost a decade and had been involved in advising the researchers for this programme for almost two years.

Barry Takkalou from CRM Appears in Tyre Recycling Podcast and Discusses the Future of Rubberised Asphalt

Richard Wilson
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Barry Takkalou from CRM Appears in Tyre Recycling Podcast and Discusses the Future of Rubberised Asphalt

Episode 81 of The Tyre Recycling Podcast with Dr. Barry Takkalou, CEO and Founder of CRM Rubber is now available for viewing and download across our video and audio platforms.

Bridging Science and Sustainability: How CRM Rubber is Driving Adoption of Rubberised Asphalt

As a civil engineer with 40 years of experience, Barry discusses his objective to share North American experiences with rubberised asphalt with colleagues in Australia and Europe. He details how CRM bridged the gap between scientific research and the practical needs of asphalt manufacturers to successfully commercialise the technology. Barry also addresses how contractors in California overcame initial reluctance to embrace rubber modified asphalt after a mandate, realising its long-term durability and cost benefits.

Chapters:

0:00 Introduction to Episode #81: Barry Takkalou

1:54 Barry’s Objectives for the Round Trip Summit

4:38 CRM’s Largest Markets: Rubberised Asphalt & Sports Infill

5:58 The Responsibility of Being North America’s Largest Crumb Rubber Producer

8:19 How CRM Bridged the Gap Between Research and Commercialization

10:39 How Many Tyres Does CRM Divert from Landfill Annually?

12:58 Rubberised Asphalt as a “Win-Win” for Roads and Environment

14:26 How CRM Convinced Contractors to Use a Product That Lasts Longer

17:18 Is Education the Key to Contractor Uptake?

19:31 How to Develop the Rubberised Asphalt Market in Europe and Australia

22:00 Emerging Applications for Crumb Rubber Beyond Asphalt and Moulded Products

23:27 CRM’s Future Objectives & Global Technology Transfer

25:52 Final Message: The Need for Policymakers and “Champions” to Create Change

34:10 Conclusion to Episode #81

Australia opens Inquiry into Tyres and the Circular Economy

Naida Jahić
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Australia opens Inquiry into Tyres and the Circular Economy

As Europe and the USA wrangle over how to address aspects of sustainability for tyres, Australia’s House of Representatives Standing Committee on Industry, Innovation and Science has launched an inquiry into the current state of the Australian tyre industry and its role within a circular economy. The inquiry was adopted on 5 November 2025 following a referral from the Minister for Industry and Innovation and the Minister for Science. Written submissions addressing the terms of reference are requested by Friday, 23 January 2026

The Committee will examine manufacturing, distribution, import and retail trends across the sector, together with current practices in reuse, retreading, recycling and resource recovery. The scope includes a review of federal, state and local regulations that affect tyre production, disposal and recycling activities. It will also explore technological developments in tyre design, recycling processes, and alternative materials, and identify opportunities to develop higher-value uses for waste tyres and tyre-derived materials in construction, manufacturing, and other commercial applications.

As part of the evidence base, the inquiry will assess the effectiveness of existing circular economy models and consider priority areas for research and development to support more sustainable practices. The Committee will consider the role of commercially viable product stewardship schemes, including whether these should be made mandatory. It will seek to identify infrastructure gaps in collection, processing and recycling facilities. Environmental, community, and health and safety concerns associated with tyre waste and recycling operations are also included in the terms of reference.

Contributions to the inquiry will not be published automatically. Each submission will be processed by the Secretariat and considered by the Committee before authorisation for publication. Guidance on preparing submissions is available via the Parliament’s usual channels.

Tyre Stewardship Australia has welcomed the announcement. In a public statement, the organisation applauded Rob Mitchell MP for recognising the challenges in delivering circular outcomes for end-of-life tyres, describing the inquiry as an important step toward unlocking an estimated A$70 million in domestic market opportunities through a strengthened circular economy for tyres. TSA linked the timing to the recent Round Trip Summit in Melbourne, which brought together more than 200 industry participants to discuss proven technologies and infrastructure pathways. The event highlighted the need to redirect end-of-life tyres back into the Australian economy to reduce reliance on offshore markets and to create local value.

TSA added that a comprehensive approach to the full tyre lifecycle, from design through to recycling and market development, aligns with international best practice. According to the organisation, such an approach supports the management of chemicals of concern, promotes reuse and retreading, and prepares the industry for higher-order circular outcomes.

For retreaders and recyclers, the inquiry provides a platform to present evidence on policy settings, technology readiness and market development needs. Stakeholders across the supply chain are now invited to contribute detailed submissions that can inform practical measures to expand domestic demand for tyre-derived products and to strengthen the resilience of Australia’s tyre circular economy.

Klean and KBR to Develop TyreNova Process

Ewan Scott
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Klean and KBR to Develop TyreNova Process

Klean Industries has had a high profile in the media over recent years, and following the company’s recent decision to discontinue activities at their plant in Boardman, Oregon, we were able to catch up with Klean’s Mark Vandevoorde at the rcB Conference in Barcelona in order to gain a better understanding of the company’s future plans.

Klean Industries' Mark Vadevoorde
Klean Industries’ Mark Vadevoorde

Vandevoorde told Tyre and Rubber Recycling that there was a new strategy in place to develop the business. Klean Industries has concluded an agreement with KBR Inc, a Delaware-based corporation who, according to their website; “Every day, our people work together to deliver solutions that are helping solve the great challenges and opportunities of our time, including climate change, national security, energy transition and security, cybersecurity, space exploration, and more.

“The KBR team of teams delivers future-forward science, technology and engineering solutions and mission-critical services that help governments and companies around the world accomplish their most important objectives, while also helping achieve their sustainability goals.”

KBR delivers through its two primary businesses — Mission Technology Solutions and Sustainable Technology Solutions – Klean Industries’ technology falls into the latter sector.

Under the agreement, KBR will be the exclusive licensing partner and will lead global sales, marketing, engineering and delivery of tyre recycling projects powered by TyreNova technology, while Klean continues to drive innovation, project development, and technical leadership. Together, the companies will offer turnkey solutions for transforming end-of-life tyres into valuable products, advancing the circular economy and reducing environmental impact at scale.

“This alliance is built on proven performance,” said Jesse Klinkhamer, CEO of Klean Industries. “A commercial-scale plant has been operating successfully [at a third party plant] for nearly a decade with this technology at its core. With KBR’s global reach, engineering depth and track-record at successfully scaling emerging sustainable technologies globally, we’re now scaling that success worldwide.”

Vandevoorde concluded; “In future, we will license back our own technology when we develop a pyrolysis project.”

Pyrum’s Greek Project Gains – EUR 29.4M in EU funding

Ewan Scott
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0
Pyrum’s Greek Project Gains – EUR 29.4M in EU funding

An historic success for Pyrum Innovations AG Pyrum’s partner Thermo Lysi SA has received the renowned funding approval from the European Innovation Fund (EIF)

This means that the financing of the joint recycling plant in Greece is now fully secured – a project that sets new standards for sustainability and innovation. The EIF is subsidising the construction of the recycling plant with EUR 29.4 million in funding. With a planned capacity of around 45,000 tonnes of end-of-life tyres per year, the plant will be twice as large as originally planned and one of the largest and most modern pyrolysis plants in Europe. The plant is based on Pyrum‘s innovative thermolysis technology, with up to six state-of-the-art Pyrum reactors forming the heart of the facility. The total investment amounts to around EUR 100 million, and Pyrum intends to acquire a stake of at least 10% in the project company’s equity.

Pascal Klein, CEO of Pyrum Innovations AG said; “We would like to congratulate our partners, Thermo Lysi SA and Impactus Private Equity Group, on the subsidy approval. This funding is a major boost for our technology and sends a clear signal: Pyrum represents the future of Europe‘s circular economy. With the support of the EIF, we are realising one of the largest recycling projects in Europe – a strong sign of innovation, sustainability and economic strength.”

The recycling plant will be built on a site approximately 140 km north of Athens in the Livanates region. With the building and environmental permits already in place, all the necessary approvals for the construction and licences for the operation of the new plant in Greece have been obtained, meaning that the project is now fully ready to go. Furthermore, Pyrum and Thermo Lysi signed an engineering contract worth around EUR 2.2 million in mid-May. Detailed engineering is in full swing and should ideally be adapted to Greek law by the end of the first quarter of 2026. In addition, an EPC contractor will take over the construction and ordering of the plant components.

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