The Leading Journal for the Tyre Recycling Sector

The Leading Journal for the Tyre Recycling Sector

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TNU Processed More Than 92,000 ELTs at the End of 2024 Financial Year

Tratamiento Neumáticos Usados (TNU) closed the 2024 financial year with 92,160 tonnes of end-of-life tyres (ELTs) processed, of which 11.35% were allocated to reuse (6.29% to second use and 5.06% to retreading), 39.21% to material recovery (with applications in paving, construction materials and industry) and the remaining 49.45% to energy recovery, mainly as an alternative fuel

These results, published in the 2024 TNU Annual Report, reaffirm its commitment to the responsible and sustainable management of end-of-life tyres in Spain. The organisation uses a model that meets legal requirements and focuses on efficiency, reuse and environmental responsibility, fully aligned with Law 7/2022 on waste and contaminated soils for a circular economy.

“Recycling is not just collecting, it is transforming. Every tyre we manage is an opportunity to build a more circular, fairer and more resilient economy,” said Juan Ramón Pérez, President of TNU.

Throughout 2024, TNU has managed to maintain full national coverage, providing uninterrupted service and adapting to the real needs of the replacement market, mainly due to the effective coordination with producers, workshops, managers and logistics operators.

Despite rising management costs, TNU has managed to keep its fees stable through ongoing operational optimisation: redesigning routes, adjusting frequencies and improving internal procedures to increase efficiency without compromising service quality.

One of the sector’s key challenges is still the development of new uses for recovered materials. TNU remains committed to retreading as the first option for recovery, together with the principles of the waste hierarchy and the circular economy, while still supporting the development of innovative projects, such as pyrolysis.

During 2024, TNU organised a wide range of communication and awareness activities, with a presence in the media, on social networks, at outreach events and through public campaigns. A particular highlight was its participation in the European Week for Waste Reduction, with the “Tyre Care Day”, promoting the message that prevention is also recycling. The organisation was also a part of events such as ExpoRecicla, while also collaborating in information sessions focused on vehicle inspection centres.

TNU stresses that the circular economy will only be viable if all actors in the system (manufacturers, importers, distributors, workshops, managers, public administrations and citizens) assume their share of responsibility.

“The transition towards a truly circular economy is not the destination; it is the journey. At TNU, we continue walking that path alongside all sector stakeholders,” concluded Javier de Jesús Landesa, Chief Operating Officer.


Porous Lane in New Zealand: Watersmart NZ’s Path to Climate-Resilient Infrastructure

Episode 10 of TRR Video Insights is live and in this video, we speak with Klaudia Matyjas, Business Development Manager for Civil Infrastructure at Watersmart NZ, the distributor for Porous Lane in New Zealand.

Klaudia Matyjas Explains How Tyre-Derived Permeable Pavements Help New Zealand Manage Heavy Rainfall

Klaudia discusses Watersmart’s history of water-centric innovation, including rainwater harvesting and greywater recycling, and details their partnership to bring Porous Lane’s technology to the region. She highlights how permeable pavements offer a vital solution for New Zealand’s unique climate challenges, such as heavy rainfall and flooding, while also filtering pollutants like heavy metals from stormwater.

Chapters:

0:00 Introduction to TRR Video Insights & Klaudia Matyjas

0:59 Watersmart’s Innovations & Porous Lane Partnership

2:32 Addressing NZ’s Climate Challenges with Permeable Pavement

3:56 Landmark Projects: Jacks Landing & Auckland Council

5:21 Watersmart’s Mission for Water Conservation

5:48 Conclusion

Regom Explain Why Tyre Sorting and Data Matter in Tyre Pyrolysis

In this latest TRR Insights episode, we speak with Bertrand Thoumsin, Sales Manager for Europe for Regom. Bertrand discusses the critical role of tyre sorting and data in the pyrolysis process.

Regom Highlights How Smarter Sorting Improves rCB Quality

He explains how controlling feedstock quality directly impacts the yield and ash content of rCB and TPO, citing a recent study too.

Chapters:

0:00 Introduction to TRR rCB Video Insights & Bertrand Thoumsin

0:38 How Can Regom Help Improve the Pyrolysis Process?

1:48 Key Messages for the rCB Conference Audience

2:58 Which Policies Will Help Tyre Recycling Businesses Grow?

4:33 Final Message: The Significance of Data and Traceability

5:28 Conclusion

Optimising rCB Production: Ventilex’s Role in Efficient Pyrolysis Drying

The first episode of TRR rCB Conference Video Insights, recorded following the Recovered Carbon Black Conference in Barcelona, organised by Smithers. In this video, we speak with Jasper Sterenberg, Commercial Director for Ventilex, one of the key sponsors of the event.

Jasper Sterenberg Shares How Advanced Industrial Drying Solutions Can Enhance rCB Quality

Jasper discusses how Ventilex specialises in industrial drying solutions and adds value to the tyre pyrolysis process by improving economy and efficiency.

Chapters:

0:00 Introduction to TRR rCB Video Insights & Jasper Sterenberg

0:33 Ventilex’s Role in Tyre Pyrolysis & Drying

1:00 Energy Efficiency & Reducing Product Loss

1:47 Future Trends: Energy Reduction & AI Technology

2:32 Ventilex’s Experience & Testing Capabilities

3:08 Conclusion

Recircle Discuss their Innovation in Recycling Unvulcanised Rubber Waste in Latest Tyre Recycling Podcast

Barry van Bergen, CEO of Recircle Ltd., joins Ewan Scott for Episode 84 of The Tyre Recycling Podcast to discuss a critical, yet often overlooked, aspect of the industry: unvulcanised rubber waste.

Recircle Talk Transforming Green Rubber into High Value Materials

Barry explains how water jetting technology selectively separates materials like tread compounds from uncured casings, allowing this valuable green rubber to be reincorporated back into the original masterbatch without contamination. He discusses the significant cost and environmental benefits of tackling manufacturing waste at the source, rather than incineration.

Chapters:

0:00 Introduction to Episode #84: Barry van Bergen & Recircle

1:19 Dealing with Complex Uncured Waste Streams

2:35 The Water Jetting Process Explained

3:22 Separating Tread Compounds & Casing Materials

3:34 High-Pressure Water Jet Technology Details

4:48 Partnerships with Tyre Manufacturers & Overcoming Legacy Issues

6:13 Reincorporating Recycled Material into the Masterbatch

7:35 The Value of 100% Recovered Material

9:13 Secondary Markets: Conveyors & Footwear

10:40 Introduction to Recircle’s Biotech Division

11:04 Recircle’s History & Development

12:10 Processing Textile & Steel Reinforcements

13:29 From Crumbing Facility to Advanced Technology

15:53 Scaling Up: Global Patents & Industrial Trials

16:09 Water Jetting vs. Devulcanization

18:26 Conclusion to Episode #84

Treadlite Talk Their Vision for Smarter Tyre Recycling in NZ

In Episode 9 of TRR Insights, we speak with Brad Pierce and Blake Richardson, Executive Directors of Treadlite New Zealand, a key player in both tyre recycling and collection for the Tyrewise scheme.

Treadlite Leaders Brad Pierce and Blake Richardson Share Insights on NZ’s tyre Collection

Brad and Blake discuss their efficient, nationwide collection operation, utilising a hub-and-spoke model with smaller trucks for local pickups. They share their passion for creating high-quality recycled rubber granules, emphasising their commitment to producing a 99.9% metal-free product to build customer trust.

Chapters:

0:00 Introduction to TRR Video Insights & Treadlite NZ

1:03 Experience at the Round Trip & Roading Workshop

1:38 Tyre Collection Operations & Logistics

2:17 Creating High-Quality Recycled Rubber Products

3:27 Push for Rubberised Asphalt Mandates in NZ

4:49 Addressing TDF & Baled Tyre Exports

5:58 Conclusion

Infiniteria Appointed Kajsa Ryttberg-Wallgren as CEO

Infiniteria announced the appointment of Kajsa Ryttberg-Wallgren as Chief Executive Officer, effective December 1

Ms Ryttberg-Wallgren succeeds Stefano Madeddu, who will stay in Infiniteria as an advisor after heading the company since its inception in 2023. Ms Ryttberg-Wallgren joins Infiniteria from Stegra, the Swedish company focusing on decarbonising the hard-to-abate steel industry, where she was Chief Growth Officer since 2021. She brings experience in industrial businesses and in establishing new businesses across the world, having previously occupied executive roles in a range of Scandinavian companies such as PIAB, Yara International, Sandvik and Sapa. She is also a Board member of PowerCell Group and WTR Group AB.

Anand Jagannathan, Senior Partner of Antin Infrastructure Partners NextGen strategy, commented: “We’re delighted to welcome Kajsa Ryttberg-Wallgren as CEO of Infiniteria. She offers a strong combination of Swedish industrial experience, a track record in international expansion and strong sustainability credentials, all of which are highly relevant for Infiniteria and the journey ahead of us. We’d like to thank Stefano Madeddu for his many contributions to Infiniteria, establishing the joint venture and putting it on track for growth across Europe. We’re very pleased that he will continue to be involved with the business in an advisory capacity, allowing us to continue drawing on his valuable experience.

Kajsa Ryttberg-Wallgren added: “I am truly excited to join Infiniteria as CEO at such a pivotal moment. Thanks to Stefano Madeddu, the team, and our partners, we now stand with a first-of-its-kind plant nearing completion and a production and business concept ready to scale. I am grateful to Antin for their trust and look forward to working closely with the entire organisation as we enter commissioning and expand across Europe. Together, we will build a circular and profitable business that makes a real difference for the planet and the generations to come.

Infiniteria is building its first plant in Uddevalla, Sweden, at the moment, which is expected to start operations in 2026, while planning to establish further end-of-life tyre recycling plants across Europe. The company relies on Enviro’s patented tyre pyrolysis technology to produce reusable materials from end-of-life tyres, forming a fully circular process that will contribute to a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. The delivery and installation of the five pyrolysis reactors for the tyre recycling plant in Uddevalla were completed in October 2025 in accordance with the schedule previously communicated by Enviro. 

The construction of the plant, which has been ongoing for about 1.5 years, is now approaching the point where the majority of the process equipment has been delivered and installed, and the main focus is on further installation. The provisional acceptance certificate (PAC) is expected to be reached in mid-2026. In the first phase, the plant will have an annual capacity to process 34,500 tons of end-of-life tyres.





Crumb Rubber Under the Microscope: Better Play Initiative’s Scott Gerber Sets the Record Straight

Scott Gerber, Program Director of the Better Play Initiative (BPI), joins Ewan Scott for Episode 83 of The Tyre Recycling Podcast. The BPI is a US-based advocacy group promoting the safe, sustainable use of recycled rubber in sports and playground applications.

BPI’s Scott Gerber Cuts Through the Noise on Crumb Rubber Safety and Sustainability

Scott addresses concerns about the safety of crumb rubber infill, citing comprehensive studies from agencies like the EPA and CalEPA (California) that have found no significant health risks.

Chapters:

0:00 Introduction to Episode #83: Scott Gerber & The Better Play Initiative

1:21 What is the Better Play Initiative (BPI)?

2:55 Addressing Health Concerns: PAH Content & Safety Studies

4:28 Migration & Environmental Impact: The Role of Containment

6:03 Regulations & Containment Measures in the US vs UK

8:06 Leachates & Drainage Engineering

9:42 Mitigating Heat on Artificial Turf Fields

10:50 Maintenance & Recyclability of Artificial Turf

12:43 Rubber Mulch: Safety & Containment in Playgrounds

15:17 Bonded Rubber in Sports Tracks

17:38 Combating Myths & Misinformation with Science

21:42 Transparency: Who Funds the BPI?

22:43 Conclusion to Episode #83

Fornnax Unveils World’s Biggest New Product Development Centre and Demo Plant

In a monumental step toward advancing global recycling technology, Fornnax Technology has unveiled one of the world’s largest New Product Development (NPD) centre and demonstration plants, covering more than 12 acres of land

 This groundbreaking facility represents a major milestone in Fornnax’s long-term vision to become a global leader in recycling solutions by 2030.

This state-of-the-art facility will serve as a hub for new product development, specifically designed to cater to evolving application demands. Fornnax also plans to use the centre to upgrade its existing range of shredders and granulators by increasing their capacity, improving energy efficiency, and reducing downtime. These enhancements will not only boost equipment availability, ensuring operational readiness for up to 20 hours per day, but also validate newly developed equipment for as long as 3,000–15,000 hours based on the product and under real-world conditions.

Commenting on this significant achievement, Jignesh Kundariya, Director and CEO of Fornnax Technology, shared his insights on the importance of in-house development capabilities; “Innovation in product development is the key to success of becoming a global leader. With this new facility, we now have the speed, flexibility, and controlled environment to design, test, and validate new technologies in just 6 to 8 months something that would take significantly 4-5 years at a customer site. We aim to validate each machine as per global standards, rigorously testing every critical part and assembly under Engineering Build (EB) and Manufacturing Build (MB) protocols. We’ve also developed an endurance test setup, giving us a clear edge in staying ahead of industry demands and delivering solutions that are future-ready.”

The new plant is powered by a robust New Product Development framework based on a Gate Review Process that ensures precision, cross-functional input, and performance at every stage, here’s the brief overview:

Gate 0: Market Research & Ideation

The initial process is led by Sales & Marketing Team to capture the voice of the customer, analyse the product demand and prepares a tentative concept and budget for management evaluation and strategic alignment in the next development phase.

Gate 1: Strategic Review

The Leadership Team manages this stage, evaluating market growth, potential, and conducting a competitive cost analysis. This review ensures strategic alignment, laying the groundwork for the project’s economic viability and market position before proceeding.

Gate 2: Design Conceptualization

The Design Team takes ownership of this gate, developing detailed CAD designs, the Bill of Materials (BoM), and integrating features. Sequential reviews are then conducted by the Manufacturing Team for manufacturability, the Service Team for ease of maintenance, and the Safety Committee for comprehensive safety validation.

Gate 3: Final Design Approval

This stage incorporates all feedback and addresses open points from prior reviews, ensuring a refined design. The primary objective is to guarantee the machine is easy to manufacture, simple to operate, and straightforward to service, securing comprehensive approval before the physical build begins.

Gate 4: Engineered Build (EB) – Validation Phase

A functional prototype is constructed during this phase, undergoing 6–8 months of rigorous validation and endurance testing. This critical period ensures the design performs as intended and is durable under demanding, real-world conditions, confirming its readiness for further development.

Gate 5: Manufacturing Build (MB) – Production Readiness

In this final stage, the design is meticulously optimized for efficient mass manufacturing. Once completed, the equipment is officially declared ready for large-scale production and commercial scaling, marking the transition from development to market readiness.

Tailored Testing and Customer Demonstration

One of the key features of this new centre is its open-door policy for customers looking to validate their materials and applications. Clients who are uncertain about which equipment suits their specific shredding or recycling needs can now bring their material to the NPD centre. Here, they can observe performance across multiple machines and operating conditions.

This approach provides a risk-free, real-world testing environment that empowers customers to make informed investment decisions regardless of the application type or material. Also, upgrade their existing technology to the latest advancements to stay ahead of the curve.

Comprehensive Support for Sales and After-Sales Services

The new facility also houses an OEM training centre, which will be instrumental in developing a skilled operators and maintenance engineers for existing and future customers. Regular sessions will be conducted for the Fornnax sales and after-sales team, as well as sales partners across regions, to ensure everyone is up to date with the latest advancements and operational procedures.

This comprehensive training approach not only enhances the customer experience but also ensures that the equipment performs at optimal efficiency throughout its lifecycle.

Pioneering Future Recycling Solutions

Beyond just validating known materials, the centre will support in-depth research for emerging recycling applications such as E-waste, Cables, Fridges, Aluminium, or Auto Shredder Residue (ASR), Lithium-Ion Batteries and other miscellaneous applications.

In cases some where customers bring new or unfamiliar materials, Fornnax’s highly qualified engineering and R&D teams will conduct feasibility studies, performance tests, and design tailored solutions accordingly.

This agility in responding to client needs will further reinforce Fornnax’s position as a solutions-driven technology provider, capable of tackling even the most complex recycling challenges.

Shedding more light on this, Kundaria says; “Our goal is to empower customers with clarity and confidence before they invest. This facility allows them to test their own materials under real-world conditions, compare machines, and see results firsthand. It’s not just about selling equipment; it’s about building trust through transparency and delivering solutions that truly work for their unique needs.”

With over a decade of expertise and dominance in India’s tyre recycling market, coupled with a significant global footprint spanning Australia, Europe, the GCC, Asia, and beyond, Fornnax’s international-grade equipment has redefined the industry legacy.

By becoming a champion in manufacturing high-capacity recycling equipment, such as Primary and Secondary Shredders, Granulators, and Separation Systems, Fornnax has established itself as a leader in the field.

Building on this success, Fornnax is poised for further growth, with a strong focus on Tyre, Municipal Solid Waste, E-waste, Cable, and Aluminium recycling. The company plans to scale its offerings, capture a larger share of the global market, and enhance its revenue streams through these high-demand verticals.

The advanced NPD centre and demo plant will not only increase Fornnax’s revenue from its recycling operations but also is a testament to Fornnax’s commitment to progress, sustainability, and customer-centric innovation.

By integrating R&D, training, testing, and customer engagement under one roof, Fornnax is laying the groundwork for the next generation of recycling technologies.

Fornnax extends an invitation to industry partners, customers, and stakeholders to visit the demo plant and experience firsthand the scale and potential of a facility that will undoubtedly set a global benchmark in recycling innovation.

Linda Mitchell on the Science and Innovation Shaping Australia’s Tyre Recycling Future

Episode 8 of TRR Video Insights is available and we speak with Linda Mitchell, Science and Innovation Manager for Tyre Stewardship Australia and winner of the 2025 Young Professional of the Year award.

TSA’s Science and Innovation Manager Explores the Research Paving the Way for Progress

Linda discusses her excitement about tech-based processing and the potential for using Australia’s vast mining tyre resources in innovative ways. She emphasises the need for consistency, standardisation, and understanding the value of different tyre materials to overcome technical barriers and grow the market.


Chapters:

0:00 Introduction to TRR Video Insights & Linda Mitchell

1:10 Tech-Based Processing & Mining Tyre Potential

1:47 Developing Consistent Materials & Understanding Value

2:49 Overcoming Technical Barriers: Standards & Specifications

3:56 TSA Research Projects: Data Sheets & Chemical Analysis

5:46 Conclusion