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.

Circtec is building the world's largest chemical recycling plant for car tyres in Groningen. The company expects the new plant to be functional by the end of the summer.

The company already has plants in Poland and Germany where it recycles tyres on a smaller scale. The plant in Groningen will be the first large-scale facility with a capacity to process about 20 million (200,000 tonnes) waste tyres annually, which is six percent of all waste tyres in Europe each year.

The tyres are chemically deconstructed at high temperatures and broken down into tiny molecules that evaporate and mostly condense again as part of a process developed by Circtec to recycle car tyres. Following recycling, the different compounds found in tyres may be utilised as raw materials to make sustainable biofuel and new car tyres. The firm produces Naphtha from a portion of the rubber used in car tyres. This material has the potential to be utilised as a raw material for the manufacturing of plastic and synthetic rubber. Another portion of the rubber is used to make HUPA, a cutting-edge ship biofuel. Additionally, after recycling, the carbon may be used again.

According to Pieter ter Haar, Director – Sustainable Carbonaceous Materials, Circtec, some 3.5 million car tyres end up in Europe's waste every year and much of it is burned for cement production. In addition, many European tyres are shipped to India, so that the tyres can be burned and processed there without regard to the environment, public health or CO2 emissions. "We have a responsibility to make new raw materials and valuable products from our own waste products and not to pollute other parts of the world with our waste and its unregulated incineration," he said.

"We handle the recycling of tyres from the moment they come off a car to the production of the various new chemical products. That makes us unique from our competitors," Ter Haar said.

Asserting his determination to make an impact by making the chemical industry more sustainable, Ter Haar said, "With the new plant, we are contributing to both the energy and materials transition. The plant will offset about three percent of the Dutch chemical industry'sCO2 emissions."

Kordsa, a global player in advanced material technologies, displayed its sustainability and innovation-driven solutions at Tire Technology Expo 2025, one of the leading trade fairs for the tyre industry, which was held in Hannover, Germany, from 4–6 March 2025.

Kordsa shared its objective of offering solutions to the global tyre market with the advantage of local production while highlighting its achievements in tyre reinforcing technology. Kordsa demonstrated REV Technologies, its umbrella brand created to meet the expanding need for high-performance electric car goods, as part of its dedication to sustainable transportation. The firm also demonstrated its commitment to sustainable, next-generation reinforcement solutions by showcasing its RFID tyre label products and cord fabric manufactured from rPET, which is derived from recycled plastics.

Kordsa and Continental jointly delivered a presentation on Cokoon, a formaldehyde-free, environmentally friendly bonding technology, as part of the conference schedule. Dr Cornelia Schmaunz-Hirsch, Senior Reinforcement Developer, Reinforcement Development Tires at Continental, and Dr Mustafa Yasin Şen, Expert Researcher, Chemicals and Materials at Kordsa, spoke about the advancements made by Cokoon technology in textile reinforcement applications during a session on the first day of the expo. Furthermore, in a separate session, ‘Accelerating Sustainable Solutions for Tires: Sustainable Reinforcement Solutions of Nylon 66 and Polyester’ was the subject of presentations by Begüm Aytuğar, Kordsa Marketing Manager, and Seda Aracı, Kordsa R&D Technology Manager, Tire Cord Fabric.

Doğan Sevim, Chief Global Sales and Marketing Officer, Kordsa, said, “Tire Technology Expo 2025 is one of the most strategic events in the tyre industry, offering us a valuable opportunity to emphasise our sustainability and innovation-focused approach while engaging with our customers. Through REV Technologies, we continue to differentiate ourselves in the sustainable solutions, particularly by addressing the specific needs of electric vehicle tyres. We are not only delivering innovative solutions to our customers but also addressing their specific requirements in different markets by combining our global expertise with our local manufacturing capabilities. Our ability to leverage both local production and a global supply chain aligns seamlessly with our sustainability strategy, allowing us to provide more effective and tailored services.”

German specialty chemicals company Lanxess has introduced its new rubber additive Vulkanox HS Scopeblue, which it said supports tyre manufacturers in producing more sustainable, longer-lasting tyres.

Tyre makers will now be able to use sustainable variant of the antioxidant Vulkanox HS to effectively protect their products from adverse effects of oxygen and heat. The additive also provides low volatility and low migration tendency.

Lanxess claims that compared to conventional manufactured products, tyre makers using Vulkanox HS Scopeblue will be able to reduce their footprint by more than 30 percent. This is possible by utilizing biocircular acetone and renewable energy in production.

At present, the product is manufactured in an ISCC PLUS-certified plant in Germany. What’s interesting to note is that since the overall chemical structure of the product remains unchanged, tyre makers will not need to make any modifications to their existing manufacturing process.

Dr. Holger Graf, Head of the Functional Tire Additives business line at Lanxess Rhein Chemie business unit, said, “With Vulkanox HS Scopeblue, we have developed another product that enables our customers to manufacture tires more sustainably and meets the growing demand for sustainable and environmentally friendly materials. With this antioxidant, we extend the lifetime of tires while reducing their ecological footprint.”

Worcestershire-based Reddiplex Group, a manufacturer of plastic and rubber extrusions, has acquired Veker Extrusions, a Birmingham-based manufacturer specialising in rubber extrusion products.

Reddiplex aims to expand its product range and strengthen its position in the market through the acquisition of Veker, a company known for providing rubber extrusions, gaskets, seals and mouldings for the construction, marine, automotive and rail industries.

Evolve Corporate Finance helped the Veker Extrusions transaction by offering advice to Paul Kersel and Kevin Crossley, the company's directors and shareholders. David Neate led the consulting team at Evolve Corporate Finance, while Richard Wrigley of Penningtons provided legal counsel.

David Neate, Partner and Co-Founder, Evolve Corporate Finance, said: “We are delighted to have supported the shareholders on the company’s sale to Reddiplex. This sale represents the culmination of a life’s work for Paul and Kevin and a great result for them. In addition, under the ownership of Reddiplex, Veker has a bright future and is well positioned for future growth.”

Richard Wrigley, Corporate Partner, Penningtons, said, “We are delighted to have advised Veker on this strategic sale to Reddiplex. I have no doubt Veker has a bright future as part of the Reddiplex Group and will continue to prosper and grow.”