reTyre, a sustainable tyre manufacturer, will unveil the world’s first carbon-neutral tyre at Eurobike 2024. This innovative concept tyre is made entirely from reclaimed materials, showcasing reTyre’s commitment to reducing emissions and revolutionising sustainable tyre production.

Sustainable materials for a greener future

The carbon-neutral tyre incorporates several unique materials, each chosen for its minimal environmental impact. Algae, sourced through controlled harvesting of blooms, helps restore aquatic ecosystems by preventing eutrophication and methane release. Recycled para-aramid, obtained from used body armour, is broken down and repurposed for the tyre’s beads and puncture protection, promoting a closed-loop recycling system and incorporating renewable carbon. Locally sourced post-consumer recyclate (PCR) with a low carbon footprint further minimises environmental impact. Finally, recycled fish nets collected from oceans are used for the tyre casing, leading to a 49 percent reduction in emissions and a 15 percent decrease in energy use compared to virgin materials.

Friedemann Ohse, who is leading the Carbon-Neutral Tyre Project at reTyre, elaborates on the meticulous process behind achieving carbon neutrality: “The product carbon footprint of this tyre is based on our third-party verified LCA, including the end-of-life, which is how we measure all our products. Our production and transportation processes are optimised to have close to zero emissions. End-of-life is reduced to almost zero due to the recycling of the tyres. The algae used in the tyre has a negative CO2 equivalent, balancing any remaining emissions to achieve a net-zero impact. This way, we have a carbon-neutral product without using well-known shortcuts, such as carbon quotas, subsidies, or other non-product-related contributions.”

Global collaboration for sustainability

reTyre partners with suppliers worldwide to ensure the responsible sourcing of materials. The UN Ecosystem Restoration Programme supports algae harvesting from lakes and oceans across the globe.

Sustainable tyres without compromise

reTyre offers a comprehensive portfolio of 100 percent sustainable products, providing brands with high-quality, eco-friendly tyres. Bio-based and fully renewable materials, never before used in pneumatic tyres, significantly reduce emissions. Additionally, a third-party-verified life cycle assessment (LCA) confirms an 82 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional tyres.

Ohse continues: “This carbon-neutral tyre is at a concept stage, and it is a result of continuous innovation that shows what our unique manufacturing is capable of.”

Beyond innovation: a full range of sustainable options

Alongside the groundbreaking carbon-neutral tyre, reTyre will showcase its entire range of sustainable products, including the new City Range bicycle tyre models explicitly designed for urban riders. These tyres boast bio-based and sustainable materials utilising reusable plant-based elastomers, new tread patterns for enhanced performance and grip, and matching performance to standard tyres, ensuring a smooth, eco-friendly cycling experience. The City Range also features a low carbon footprint throughout production and the product lifecycle and is fully reusable, setting a new benchmark in tyre sustainability. For complete data transparency, reTyre provides comprehensive compliance and sustainability tracking information.

reTyre’s entire product range prioritises sustainability and reusability, a unique proposition in the tyre industry. This commitment ensures that every component can be fully recycled and repurposed, fostering a closed-loop system that benefits the environment.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Germany's rubber industry continues to face significant headwinds, with fresh data from the German Rubber Industry Association (wdk) revealing a persistent downturn. The figures show employment falling for the fifth year in a row, while production levels have declined for the fourth consecutive year, underscoring the sector's struggle to regain its footing.

The association attributes this stagnation to waning enthusiasm for German rubber goods in both domestic and international markets. Michael Berthel, wdk Chief Economist, described a fundamental shift in procurement behaviour, even within Germany. He noted that purchasing decisions are now driven almost exclusively by price, a stark departure from the historical emphasis on quality and reliability. This change has opened the door to intense international cost competition, placing immense pressure on Germany's medium-sized suppliers. Berthel highlighted that prohibitive domestic costs related to energy, bureaucracy, taxation and labour make it nearly impossible for these firms to compete effectively. Consequently, many are compelled to relocate their investments abroad as a necessary escape from these local burdens, even though their preference would be to maintain and revitalise their operations within Germany after years of strategic transformation.

Against this backdrop, wdk President Michael Klein issued an urgent appeal to the federal government. He acknowledged that the broader struggles of German industry are well documented but stressed the immediate need for decisive political intervention. Klein called for concrete measures to stimulate demand and bolster the nation's competitive edge within Europe without further delay. He warned against allowing the rubber sector to decline quietly, emphasising its critical role in essential areas such as healthcare, infrastructure, security and mobility.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Punia Metox Private Limited has commenced production at a new manufacturing facility in Thottambedu, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, with operations starting on 12 February 2026.

The plant has an initial production capacity of 12,000 tonnes a year. Its structural design allows capacity to be doubled within four to six months, providing scope for rapid scale-up as demand grows, the company said.

Punia Metox said the facility has been equipped with modern technology to support operational and energy efficiency, safety, sustainability and consistent product quality. The company added that the plant has been designed to enable smooth and seamless operations from the outset.

The expansion forms part of Punia Metox’s strategy to align capacity growth with customer requirements and strengthen its position as a long-term supply partner. The company said the new unit reflects its focus on customer satisfaction, ethical business practices and value-based growth.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Cabot Corporation said it can now produce circular reinforcing carbons in the Asia-Pacific region after validating manufacturing capability at its plants in Cilegon, Indonesia, and Tianjin, China.

The materials are produced using tyre pyrolysis oil derived from end-of-life tyres and an International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS mass-balance approach. With the addition of the two Asian sites, Cabot said it now has circular reinforcing carbon production capacity across Asia, Europe and the Americas.

Tyre manufacturers are pursuing targets to increase sustainable material use in tyre production, with many aiming for 40 per cent by 2030 and 100 per cent by 2050, the company said. Cabot’s circular reinforcing carbons are designed as a drop-in replacement for conventional carbon black, allowing manufacturers to increase sustainable content without affecting tyre performance.

Aatif Misbah, Vice-President and General Manager for sustainable solutions in Cabot’s reinforcement materials segment, said: “This achievement reflects our deep commitment to delivering sustainable solutions across Asia Pacific and globally. Scaling our circular reinforcing carbon capabilities helps strengthen our role as a trusted partner to the tire industry, while helping to drive meaningful sustainability progress. Looking ahead, we remain focused on supporting our customers’ evolving needs and helping enable a more sustainable future.”

Cabot’s facilities in Ville Platte, Louisiana; Mauá, Brazil; and Valasske Mezirici in the Czech Republic had previously demonstrated circular reinforcing carbon production capability. The products are ISCC PLUS-certified and marketed under the recovered category of Cabot’s EVOLVE Sustainable Solutions platform.

The company said it has 13 ISCC PLUS-certified sites supporting circular reinforcing carbon production across Asia, Europe and the Americas, along with two certified masterbatch and compounding sites in Europe.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

The Rathi Group has formalised a partnership with the Indian Tyre Technical Advisory Committee (ITTAC) through a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at advancing technical collaboration on recovered carbon black (rCB). The agreement focuses on the responsible integration of rCB into tyre manufacturing, with an emphasis on detailed evaluation and enhancement of its material properties. This initiative will be driven through structured engagement between industry and academia, supported by ITTAC’s technical expertise.

The collaboration is facilitated by the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ATMA) and ITTAC, which have brought together leading technical experts, tyre manufacturers and research institutions on a unified platform. Their coordinated efforts are fostering a science-based approach to accelerate the assessment and adoption of circular materials within the tyre sector. This partnership is seen as a significant step in strengthening industry–academia linkages to advance sustainable practices.

Through this alliance, the Rathi Group aims to contribute to the evolving landscape of tyre-to-tyre circularity. The joint initiative underscores a shared commitment to developing innovative solutions that support environmental responsibility while maintaining technical performance standards in tyre applications.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!