Tata Motors-owned British-luxury brand Jaguar Land Rover is said to become the first global automaker to commit to use tyres made from renewable materials as part of its sustainability commitment.

The automaker will soon become the first to soon adopt tyres made from more than 70 percent renewable and recycled materials, such as silica from rice husks and plant‑based resins at scale in its upcoming range of vehicles.  In fact, the upcoming select models from Range Rover are already planned to come with Pirelli’s new P Zero tyres, which contain silica used to enhance wet performance. The material is sourced from rise husks, a natural by-product of rice milling.

These tyres do away with fossil‑based polymers and resins, which are typically used to help optimise the balance between dry and wet performance. Instead, they use plant‑based alternatives such as agricultural by‑products or used cooking oils. By using recycled materials, they reduce reliance on primary source materials to help alleviate resource consumption. Furthermore, carbon black, a crucial filler in rubber compounds used to improve stability, strength and durability, is recovered from end‑of‑life tyres and recycled steel is used to enhance handling and stability.

The automaker believes that bio‑based and recycled materials are generally more sustainable to obtain, more energy efficient to process and easier to manage at end‑of‑life than virgin and fossil‑based materials such as synthetic polymers and silica obtained from conventional materials such as quartz sand, yet perform similarly.

Reuben Chorley, Sustainable Industrial Operations Director, Jaguar Land Rover, said, “This is another example of how JLR is leading on sustainable design innovation in collaboration with its supply chain partners to deliver at scale, while reducing the environmental impact of our products. Achieving a more sustainable composition without compromising quality and performance is a challenge because of the complexity of tyre design. But working closely with Pirelli and leveraging both company’s expertise in procurement and engineering, we have been able to deliver this industry first.”
JLR and Pirelli are strengthening their commitment to sustainability with the introduction of the new P Zero tyre, featuring FSC (Forest Stewardship Council)-certified natural rubber. This initiative builds on JLR's pioneering move last year to incorporate FSC-certified natural rubber across its entire vehicle portfolio, ensuring responsible sourcing within its supply chain.

Both companies are dedicated to increasing the use of recycled and bio-based materials in their products. All such materials will undergo third-party certification to verify their quality and quantity. The long-term ambition for JLR and Pirelli is to achieve 100 percent sustainable materials in their tyres.

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In a significant expansion of their existing recycling partnership, Alcoa Australia and Tyrecycle have commenced a new programme to repurpose used conveyor belts from Alcoa’s mining operations. The first reel of used belt was successfully delivered to Tyrecycle’s East Rockingham processing plant, marking a pivotal step in addressing a major waste stream. This initiative builds upon the companies' established contract for recycling off-the-road tyres and forms a core component of Alcoa’s broader corporate strategy to minimise, recycle and reuse waste generated by its Western Australian activities.

The ambitious programme will see approximately 32 kilometres of used conveyor belt transported to the facility over several months. In its initial phase, the collaboration aims to recycle 80 reels of belting. Tyrecycle will process an estimated 100 tonnes of this material weekly, transforming it into rubber crumb. This output will supplement the more than 300 tonnes of Alcoa’s used tyres the company already recycles annually. The primary focus of the recycling process is to reclaim the steel wire embedded within the belts and to convert the rubber into a versatile crumb product.

This crumb is destined for a wide array of practical applications, serving as a valuable additive in road construction bitumen, and as a raw material for creating surfaces for sports fields and playgrounds, adhesives and various moulded rubber goods. Tyrecycle emphasises a circular economy vision, aiming not just for repurposing but for eventually integrating recycled material back into the manufacturing of new conveyor belts. Since its inauguration, the East Rockingham facility has been instrumental in providing Western Australian mining operators with solutions to decarbonise their supply chains. This partnership with Alcoa simultaneously supports regional employment and advances shared environmental goals by diverting substantial rubber waste from landfill and giving it a productive new life.

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KRAIBURG TPE has introduced a new series of thermoplastic elastomers engineered specifically for e-bike handles. This THERMOLAST R RC/UV/AP series is designed to merge sustainability with high performance and improved ergonomics. A central feature of this material is its composition, which incorporates between 15 percent and 40 percent recycled content, directly addressing the industry's push towards more eco-conscious manufacturing.

The compound provides a soft-touch grip for enhanced rider comfort and control, alongside resistance to chemicals and ultraviolet light. Its lightweight nature contributes significantly to the overall reduction of e-bike weight, with some modern models now being up to 50 percent lighter than traditional designs. From a production standpoint, the material is formulated for multi-component injection moulding and bonds reliably to polypropylene, facilitating complex and innovative handlebar designs. Manufacturers can also select from a wide hardness range to customise the grip feel without sacrificing the material’s inherent durability or safety.

The performance of this TPE series is validated by extensive testing, including a two-year outdoor exposure that confirmed its resilience against harsh weather. It also maintains stability in temperatures up to 90°C, ensuring reliable long-term use. This product launch is part of KRAIBURG TPE's broader sustainability commitment, which includes developing bio-based TPEs, holding certifications for recycled content and providing Product Carbon Footprint data. The company's efforts have been recognised with an EcoVadis Gold Medal, and it has reaffirmed its commitment to Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). This new material series positions KRAIBURG TPE as a pivotal partner in creating greener and more functional e-bike designs for a rapidly growing market.

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Bekaert's Ultra & Mega Tensile steel cord solutions have received the prestigious 2025 China Green Point Award for their significant role in advancing the tyre industry's shift towards low-carbon manufacturing.

This innovative reinforcement technology utilises high-strength steel, which allows for the production of lighter and more durable tyres while using less raw material. A key environmental benefit is the substantial reduction in rolling resistance, which directly improves vehicle fuel efficiency and leads to lower CO₂ emissions. Furthermore, the technology supports circular economy principles by incorporating steel with a high recycled content.

With over seven decades of expertise, Bekaert empowers leading global tyre manufacturers to create high-performance, sustainable tyres, thereby accelerating the transition to greener mobility on a large scale.

The company shared the achievement in a social media post: “A big thank you to our teams for their leadership in driving this achievement, and to our partners across the industry for making sustainable mobility a reality. This award is more than recognition: it’s proof of how materials innovation, powered by people, can accelerate change from the ground up – literally.”

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Ecolomondo Corporation, a Canadian developer of sustainable technology for recycling scrap tyres, is reporting significant commercial progress at its Hawkesbury TDP facility. The company is experiencing a substantial rise in demand for its recycled products, leading to strong sales growth.

A key development involves a major customer who, since mid-July 2025, has purchased 12 truckloads of recovered carbon black (rCB), representing approximately 276 metric tonnes. This client has signalled its intention to increase order volumes further as it transitions its business from another supplier. In another positive step, a second US-based customer has formally approved Ecolomondo's recovered carbon black for use in its manufacturing supply chain and is anticipated to commence bulk orders imminently. Additionally, the company has successfully shipped its 26th tanker of tyre-derived oil, amounting to 520 metric tonnes with an estimated value of USD 416,000.

This upward trend is reflected in the financial results. For the period from 1 January to 31 August 2025, revenues reached USD 640,986, a 91 percent increase compared to the USD 336,078 recorded during the same timeframe in 2024. This growth is largely attributed to the rising sales of recovered carbon black. To support the escalating production needs, Ecolomondo plans to hire and train additional personnel for the Hawkesbury facility. The company notes that, as expected during this operational ramp-up phase, the facility is not yet generating gross margins and continues to operate at a loss.

Jean-François Labbé, Interim CEO, Ecolomondo Corporation, said, “These milestones demonstrate the reliability of our production and the repeated nature of revenues we are building.”

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