The tyre industry has undergone significant changes over the past century, particularly in material composition and performance optimisation. While the external appearance of tyres may remain similar, advancements in rolling resistance and the integration of sustainable materials have reshaped the sector. Michelin, alongside its competitors, has been embracing innovation through collaborations to meet its ambitious 2050 sustainability goals, focusing on using 100 percent renewable and recycled materials. However, the challenge lies in scaling up recycling technologies and ensuring effective sorting. As the industry shifts, RFID technology and extended producer responsibility (EPR) regulations are emerging as critical tools for achieving material circularity and enhancing recycling efficiency.

Tyres have changed in the last 100 years. While the basic shape and colour might look the same, the internal composition has evolved significantly. Over the past century, and especially in the last 30 years, there have been major advances. One of the most significant has been the improvement in rolling resistance. Achieving lower rolling resistance without compromising grip has been a major technical challenge, and it has had a direct impact on fuel efficiency. In parallel, there’s been increasing focus on using more sustainable materials in tyre manufacturing. So, while it might not be obvious from the outside, there’s been substantial innovation under the surface.

However, it is a well-known fact that the tyre industry is secretive. Companies keep their research and development as tight as possible, but endeavours for including recyclable materials seem to break that ceiling, prompting towards collaborations.

Speaking exclusively to Tyre Trends, Sander Vermeulen, Vice President for End-of-life Rubber Products Recycling Business at Michelin, said, “There is a growing need and momentum for tyre companies to work more closely together, particularly around sustainability and materials innovation. Many companies have set ambitious goals for 2050, which include using 100 percent sustainable materials, achieving full recyclability or becoming carbon neutral. While each company may define these goals differently, the overarching direction is very similar.”

“A good example of this shift is our recent collaboration with Bridgestone through the ‘Call for Action’ initiative. We discovered that both companies shared similar long-term ambitions. One major challenge we identified was the scalability of innovations, especially from recycling companies. Many of these innovations work well at small scale, but scaling them up to meet the needs of the global tyre industry is a different story. What’s promising is that instead of working in silos, we began engaging in open dialogue. Both Michelin and Bridgestone were receiving proposals for new materials but often found them unsuitable for tyre applications. Rather than simply rejecting these proposals, we asked that how we can help these suppliers improve the products,” he added.

He noted that together the tyre makers started defining shared specifications that outline the minimum criteria a new material must meet to be viable for tyre manufacturing. “It’s not a guarantee of adoption, but it provides a clear, transparent benchmark. And if a material doesn’t fall within that box, we can save time for ourselves and the suppliers,” added Vermeulen.

He also quipped that he had never imagined working so openly with a competitor like Bridgestone whilst strictly respecting antitrust rules. But the experience has been incredibly constructive.

Michelin’s 2050 target is bold as it seeks to make 100 percent of its tyres from renewable, recycled or sustainable materials. Recycling sits at the core of that ambition. Internally, the company is aligning efforts across departments to meet this goal with a near-term milestone of 40 percent sustainable content by 2030.

That percentage includes both recycled and bio-based materials. However, Michelin isn’t developing recycling technologies in-house. Instead, it’s working with a network of external partners to identify and scale promising innovations.

Among its collaborators are Enviro and Infiniteria as well as broader initiatives like Biobutterfly and the WhiteCycle consortium, which focuses on recovering textile fibres for tyres. The company remains open to any solution that can help close the loop on tyre materials.

As of the most recent annual report, Michelin reported that 31 percent of the materials used in its tyres are either renewable or recycled. This figure reflects the combined share of both categories, not recycled content alone.

Opining on whether recycled materials are easier to use in commercial or passenger tyres, Vermeulen said, “It really depends on the specific application. Some applications allow for a higher percentage of renewable or recycled content than others. But we don’t break down our targets or current performance by tyre category. The current figure we’ve communicated in our annual report is a global average across all types of tyres.”

EVOLVING VALUE CHAIN

As tyre companies remain steadfast towards the respective goals of using recycled and renewable materials, a glaring question that remains is the fate of current suppliers. Explaining how the value chain will be impacted once tyre companies reach the goals, Vermeulen stated, “They will also need to adapt. The entire value chain must evolve. That means synthetic rubber producers and oil suppliers need to develop renewable or recycled versions of the materials they currently provide. Everyone, from upstream raw material providers to downstream manufacturers, will need to contribute if we’re going to meet these ambitious goals.”

Commenting on whether such shift will restructure the entire tyre industry, he said, “It’s hard to make specific predictions, but one thing is clear that the entire value chain is already beginning to change. All raw material suppliers now understand the direction tyre manufacturers are heading. We’re already seeing many traditional suppliers exploring new approaches to reduce the reliance on fossil-based materials. Some are developing recycled alternatives, while others are exploring biobased feedstocks.”

“In this effort, a concept we explored in a large-scale European project was called BlackCycle. It brought together various actors from the entire tyre industry value chain including raw material suppliers and other stakeholders to map out how we can extract maximum value from end-of-life tyres. It looked at viable recycling pathways including how pyrolysis oil can be integrated into chemical supply chains. We all need to work together to co-create solutions based on renewable and recycled materials,” he added.

Michelin doesn’t plan to produce recycled materials itself. Instead, its focus is on defining performance and quality specifications, then partnering with companies ranging from start-ups to established suppliers that can deliver materials meeting those standards.

Commenting on the same lines, he added, “The entire tyre industry has a strong interest in gaining access to recycled materials that can be reused in new products. And to achieve that, partnerships are essential. There’s no way we can meet these ambitions if every company stays within its traditional boundaries and works in isolation. We believe in collaborating across the value chain. Often, smaller companies have breakthrough technologies or innovative ideas but lack the resources or infrastructure to scale. In those cases, if we can help them access funding or industrialise the processes, it’s a win-win for the industry as a whole.”

While performance gaps between recycled and virgin materials are a known concern, Michelin sees scalability as the more critical barrier. Many recycling innovations show promise at the lab or prototype level, but few are ready for industrial-scale production.

To bridge that gap, Michelin and others in the sector are working closely with innovators to help mature these technologies to meet industry demands.

REGULATION & TECHNOLOGY

The extended producer responsibility (EPR) has been a staunch advocate for recycling end-of-life tyres across countries. The regulation is not only limited to European markets but has expanding into countries like India too.

Commenting on whether EPR regulations will help drive more effective recycling, Vermeulen said, “Extended producer responsibility plays a key role in tyre recycling by making manufacturers responsible for collecting and recycling tyre after use. In countries with EPR laws, such as most of Europe, producers and importers must ensure proper tyre collection and recycling. This legally mandates tyre producers to manage the end-of-life stage of the products. However, EPR is not the only model that can ensure effective recycling. In regions without EPR, like the United States, tyre recycling is still managed through a free-market system driven by industry and service providers. Even in Germany, which lacks an EPR law, tyres are still collected and managed properly through industry-driven solutions.”

“While EPR can certainly help in places with limited infrastructure, the key to effective tyre recycling lies in how well the system is organised. Whether through EPR or free-market models, both can be effective as long as the collection and recycling infrastructure is well established,” he added.

Vermeulen also views RFID technology as a crucial enabler for achieving material circularity in the tyre industry. By embedding RFID tags, tyres can be tracked and identified with precise information about its composition, helping to streamline the recycling process. This technology allows for better sorting of tyres based on specific material make-up, which is critical for maximising the quality of recycled materials.

Just as with household recycling, the challenge is to ensure that materials are sorted effectively. With too many sorting categories, costs rise without guaranteeing better quality. RFID makes it easier to identify the correct ‘bin’ for each tyre, whether it’s a winter, truck or passenger car tyre.

Additionally, RFID can help differentiate between new, retreaded and partially worn tyres, which often have varying materials and recycling needs. This enables more efficient sorting, improving the overall quality of the recycling output while keeping costs manageable. Michelin sees RFID as an essential tool in making the recycling process more effective and economically viable.

Wind, a leading financial data provider, has released its 2025 ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) ratings, showcasing notable improvements for several listed companies under Sinochem Group. The ratings reflect these companies' strong commitment to sustainable development and corporate responsibility.

Sinochem International achieved an AA rating in 2025, a significant improvement from its previous rating in 2024. With a comprehensive score of 8.56 out of 10, the company now holds the highest ESG rating in the diversified industrial sector, setting a new record among Sinochem Group’s listed companies. Sinochem Equipment and Shenyang Chemical also demonstrated substantial progress, with both companies upgrading from a BBB rating in 2024 to an A rating in 2025. These improvements underscore the group-wide advancements in sustainability practices.

The upgrades highlight Sinochem Group’s intensified focus on sustainability initiatives, including enhanced environmental compliance, green transition efforts, stronger corporate governance and improved transparency. Additionally, the companies have made strides in social responsibility programmes, such as worker welfare and community engagement.

The ESG rating jumps for Sinochem International, Sinochem Equipment and Shenyang Chemical underscore Sinochem Group’s leadership in sustainable business practices. As China continues to push for carbon neutrality and ESG integration, these companies are well-positioned for long-term growth and resilience.

Covestro has introduced its next-generation Baysafe BEF flame-retardant polyurethane foam, a breakthrough in EV battery safety. Designed to prevent thermal runaway propagation between cells, this lightweight foam meets stringent global safety demands, particularly in China, where the new GB 38031-2025 standard will require fireproof batteries from 2026.

As the world’s largest EV market, China’s regulations are expected to influence global standards, making Covestro’s innovation critical for automakers. The foam’s superior flame resistance enhances safety in EVs, e-bikes and portable energy storage, addressing a key consumer concern. By combining cutting-edge flame-retardant technology with lightweight performance, the Baysafe BEF series helps drive the transition to sustainable transportation and energy storage worldwide.

With EV adoption accelerating, Covestro’s material solutions support manufacturers in meeting stricter safety requirements while enabling international expansion. Beyond encapsulation, the company offers polyurethane-based battery covers and shock-absorbing components, strengthening its position in the fast-growing new energy sector.

Akhil Singhania, Global Head of PU Specialties in Covestro’s Tailored Urethanes Business Entity, said, “This innovation represents a significant step towards enabling sustainable mobility through enhanced safety. By launching our advanced flame-retardant technology, Covestro reaffirms its commitment to innovation and strengthens our product portfolio to meet the evolving needs of the EV industry.”

Zeon Corporation has announced the development of Nipol BR1300, a novel hydrophilic styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) for winter tyres. Synthesised with a polybutadiene rubber base, the material delivers unprecedented hydrophilicity for tyre applications. Commercial production began in May 2025 at Zeon’s Tokuyama plant in Yamaguchi Prefecture.

As part of its strategic portfolio optimization, Zeon plans to phase out low-profitability products like ESBR-1 and NBR latex by 2026. However, it will continue manufacturing high-margin products, including ESBR-2, nitrile butadiene rubber and solution SBR. This shift underscores Zeon’s focus on advanced, value-driven rubber solutions.

Covestro India has entered into a strategic collaboration with CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (NCL) through an innovative CSR initiative focused on developing sustainable upcycling technologies for polyurethane waste. This partnership aims to overcome existing recycling limitations by transforming discarded polyurethane materials into valuable chemical feedstocks, potentially revolutionising the material's circular economy.

This collaboration underscores both organisations' commitment to environmental innovation, leveraging NCL's advanced research infrastructure and Covestro's market leadership to address critical gaps in plastic circularity. Current polyurethane recycling methods, predominantly mechanical with some emerging chemical processes, face substantial challenges including material degradation, high energy consumption and hazardous byproduct generation. The project seeks to develop commercially viable chemical recycling solutions that maintain material integrity while minimising environmental impact.

Polyurethanes, widely used in furniture, automotive parts and insulation, present unique recycling difficulties due to their complex molecular structure. Most end up in landfills after use, creating significant sustainability challenges. By combining Covestro's industrial expertise with NCL's seven decades of chemical research excellence, the partnership aims to create breakthrough upcycling technologies.

Avinash Bagdi, Director & Head of Sales & MD Solutions India & Projects – Tailored Urethanes, said, "This partnership strengthens our commitment to finding innovative solutions for polyurethane waste and directly supports Covestro's vision of becoming fully circular. By developing effective methods to upcycle polyurethanes, we're taking concrete steps towards creating a more sustainable future in line with our corporate vision of driving the transition to a circular economy."

Dr Ashish Lele, Director of NCL, said, "CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory is excited to partner with Covestro (India) in this groundbreaking initiative to develop novel chemical upcycling methods for polyurethane waste. The conventional and electrochemical strategies we're developing address the critical limitations of current recycling technologies and align perfectly with our shared vision of a circular economy. This collaboration represents a significant step towards sustainable plastic management in India and globally, with potential to transform polyurethane waste into valuable chemical resources."