For decades, China has stood as the world’s dominant supplier of raw materials across industries, making it a significant player in the global supply chain. However, Gujarat-based Lead Reclaimed Rubber, an Indian MSME, has achieved a remarkable feat by exporting reclaimed rubber crumb to Chinese manufacturers. The company capitalised on India’s abundant scrap tyre supply and favourable policies, tapping into China’s massive demand for reclaimed rubber. As Lead Reclaimed Rubber continues to expand its production capacity and export markets, the company also faces challenges such as labour shortages, supply delays and regulatory concerns. Despite these obstacles, it remains optimistic about its growth prospects.

China has been the largest supplier of raw material for every industry known to man since decades. While there are many companies in different markets trying to sell back to China, an Indian MSME has unachieved the feat of selling to the ‘seller’.

Gujarat-based end-of-life tyre (ELT) recycler Lead Reclaimed Rubber has been exporting its reclaimed rubber crumb to Chinese manufactures. Commenting on how the company achieved this feat, Chief Executive Officer Jayeshh Patel told Tyre Trends in an exclusive interview, “China is the largest importer of reclaimed rubber, sourcing the material not only from India but also from countries like Vietnam and Sri Lanka. This demand is driven by a vast domestic market for tyres and inner tubes, with numerous brands operating in the aftermarket segment as well as in OEM manufacturing. As a result, the growth potential is significant.”

“While China has its own reclaim rubber plants, it faces limitations due to inadequate scrap tyre availability. In contrast, India has an abundant supply of scrap tyres supported by both domestic generation and strong import volumes. Additionally, India’s favourable government policies and the availability of skilled labour further enhance its position as a competitive and reliable supplier of reclaimed rubber to China. Hence, our company capitalised on the situation and started exporting,” he added.

Lead Reclaim Rubber was established in 2012 and is an NSE-listed company. It operates both in domestic and export markets with plans to grow its current production capacity as the reclaimed rubber market unfolds its potential.

Moreover, Patel noted that the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework by the Indian Government is playing a crucial role for the recycling industry for reaching greater heights.

EPR IMPACT

According to Patel, EPR has emerged as a transformative force in the recycling industry. Given the industry’s dynamic nature and its drive to adopt advanced technologies, EPR presents a timely and impactful mechanism to support growth particularly for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

“While the recycling sector is evolving, recyclers often operate on thin profit margins, which limits investment in new technologies and process upgrades. EPR has helped bridge this gap. Under the scheme, we are awarded green credits for every kilogramme of end-of-life tyres we recycle. These credits are a compliance requirement for tyre manufacturers, who purchase them from registered recyclers like us. For every 100 kilogrammes of tyre recycled, we receive approximately 130 green credits, each valued at INR 2.5, resulting in a direct financial incentive. This additional income strengthens our balance sheet and can be reinvested in research and development, capacity expansion and technology upgrades. In this way, EPR indirectly fosters innovation and scaling in the recycling ecosystem,” said Patel.

To maintain accountability and transparency, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has developed a digital portal where all stakeholders must report data.

“We record our incoming feedstock (purchase data) and outgoing materials (sales invoices) on the CPCB portal. This data forms the basis for calculating green credit eligibility. Our operations are routinely audited by both government agencies and the tyre industry. These audits verify that we meet all technical and environmental standards before credits are approved. The government has also established baseline electricity usage norms for tyre recycling. We are required to submit our electricity bills to demonstrate compliance. If our energy consumption does not meet the defined threshold, we are ineligible for green credits, preventing fraudulent claims,” he Patel.

He optimistically contented that EPR is rapidly becoming the backbone of the tyre recycling industry. For over a decade, recyclers have struggled with limited access to capital. EPR is now enabling financial stability, paving the way for recyclers to professionalise operations, scale sustainably and drive forward-looking initiatives. This policy is not just a support mechanism but a growth enabler.

AN OVERVIEW

The recycling company focuses on sustainable practices and high-quality output. “Our core operation involves sourcing EOL tyres and tubes from various states across India for recycling into value-added rubber products. Our recycling process begins with a proprietary feedstock checking system to ensure quality. The tyres are then sorted, cut and processed into crumb rubber powder. Currently, we produce crumb in 30–40 mesh sizes with plans to expand into finer 80 and 120 mesh grades in the near future,” explained Patel.

For the domestic industry, crumb rubber serves a wide range of applications. Finer meshes (80 and 120) are used in various rubber and dye industries, while 30–40 mesh is commonly used in bitumen modification for road construction, in line with the Central Government’s CRMB 30 guidelines.

Furthermore, the company employs a green devulcanisation system that utilises steam, oil and pressure to break down and re-bond the rubber polymers from EOL tyres. This method is 100 percent sustainable, producing zero discharge and zero wastage. Even the steam generated during the process is condensed and reused. “We are in the process of acquiring a Z-Certificate for our zero-waste operations,” divulged Patel.

Post-devulcanisation, the rubber material becomes soft and slightly sticky due to the restructured cross-linking. It then undergoes further processing in the reclaim section, which includes refiners, mixing mills and a cleaning stage.

During cleaning, all metallic and non-rubber impurities are extracted using strainers with 60-millimetre wire mesh. The purified compound is extruded into noodle form and sent to the refiners to produce the final reclaimed rubber product, typically in seed form.

“We tailor our reclaimed rubber to meet the specific requirements of our customers including thickness, size and performance properties. Each product is made to specification. The reclaimed rubber is used across various industries including tyre and tube manufacturing, conveyor belts, packaging and other rubber-based products. As industries increasingly shift from virgin to reclaimed rubber, we position ourselves as a reliable and environmentally responsible supplier,” noted Patel.

PRODUCTION AND SUPPLY

According to Patel, virgin rubber contains about 90–100 percent RSPL, while reclaimed rubber has around 50–52 percent. It’s more affordable than virgin rubber, but the use of 100 percent reclaimed rubber in tyre manufacturing is still a distant thought.

However, it’s widely used in rubber mats. Tyre manufacturers are gradually increasing reclaimed rubber usage, encouraged by government directives to reduce dependence on natural resources and imports. Since local virgin rubber production is insufficient, it’s being imported from countries like Vietnam.

Currently, large tyre manufacturers in India use only a small percentage of reclaimed rubber, around two to three parts per hundred

rubber (PHR). For cycle and three-wheeler tyres, it goes up to 20 PHR. Conveyor belts use up to 30 percent, and in non-critical applications with almost no performance impact, reclaimed rubber can be used up to 95 percent.

The company’s plant is located in Katlal, Kheda, near Ahmedabad, and it uses Indian machinery sourced from Punjab. “We started production at 250 metric tonnes per month. After Covid, we scaled up to 490 metric tonnes and recently reached 960 metric tonnes per month. Within the next year, we plan to expand further to 2,000 metric tonnes per month,” said Patel.

He added, “We run our plant with TBR tyres both nylon and radial. We’re centrally located in Ahmedabad and as Gujarat shares borders with Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and the southern states, it helps us with tyre sourcing. We collect tyres through a three-layer supply chain consisting puncture shops, rag pickers and aggregators. The aggregators sort the tyres as per our requirements.”

For nylon tyres, the company only uses the centre portion, specifically from 1020 tyres and discards the sidewalls. For radial tyres, it recycles the entire tyre. The recycling technology is the same for both, but the processing recipe differs. Radial tyres have cords in the centre, so the devulcanisation process is slightly modified to handle the added strength. Its research and development facility are located inside the plant.

Commenting on what sets the company apart from competitors, Patel explained, “Our focus on consistency and timely delivery sets us apart from competitors. We maintain a 95 percent consistency ratio. From raw material to the final product, everything is monitored and controlled by our control plant, which is also a key differentiator. We also have an in-house development department that not only ensures quality consistency but also works on improving the benefits for our customers. On top of that, we conduct awareness programmes to educate our customers on which materials are best suited for different use cases. That’s something others in the industry usually don’t do.”

MARKET SPREAD

Lead Reclaim Rubber serves both domestic and international markets. Among the industries it caters to, conveyor belts account for 30 percent of its business, tyres for 20 percent and the remainder comes from rubber products and packaging. Although the tyre and tube segments currently represent a smaller share of revenue, Patel anticipates significant growth in these areas. Over the next five years, it expects tyres and tubes to become its largest consumer segment followed by conveyor belts.

The company attributes this projected growth to the government’s strong emphasis on the circular economy and the rapid expansion of the automobile industry, both of which are likely to increase demand for reclaimed rubber.

The company exports to several countries including Sri Lanka, China, Bangladesh, Turkey and Philippines. China is currently the largest consumer in its export portfolio, followed by Sri Lanka. According to the Patel, export markets generally use more reclaimed rubber due to their larger production capacities.

The export market continues to show strong demand and the company currently has pending orders from China.

However, as European nations vie for restricted EOL tyre exports to India, the scenario for indigenous recyclers can be precarious. Commenting on the potential impact of such restriction, Patel highlighted, “India recycles a significant portion of the scrap tyres it generates. However, unregulated and illegal pyrolysis operations remain a critical concern. These units often operate without environmental compliance, posing risks to public health and the environment. Stronger government intervention and regulatory enforcement are urgently needed to eliminate such practices and ensure sustainable recycling.”

“India’s tyre recycling ecosystem is diverse and imbalanced. While there are numerous recyclers, the segment is dominated by pyrolysis players (approximately 70 percent), with reclaim rubber manufacturers constituting only around 30 percent. This heavy skew towards pyrolysis is problematic, especially since many of these players depend on imported scrap tyres for feedstock. If the import of scrap tyres into India is disrupted, it will create a significant supply shortage, driving up the price of ELTs. Currently, the price of scrap tyres ranges between INR 18–21 per kilogramme, but a halt in imports could potentially increase this to INR 40 per kilogramme, a nearly 50 percent spike, which would severely impact the entire recycling value chain,” cautioned Patel.

Besides this looming issue, Patel highlighted several pending challenges for the industry. One of the primary issues is a shortage of skilled labour. Interestingly, even as the industry moves towards greater automation, the demand for labour continues to rise.

Another challenge is supply delays caused by aggregators, who often fall behind on delivery timelines due to their own labour shortages. Additionally, maintaining quality consistency is difficult as scrap tyres vary in composition from batch to batch. As a result, the company must closely monitor and control its processes.

A significant concern affecting future growth is the regulatory environment. The company remains cautious about expanding production because of the current ban on scrap tyres.

Although the business is regulated, there’s an underlying fear that stricter government action could further limit the supply of scrap tyres. Such restrictions could leave newly built expansion units underutilised.

Patel believes that unless government policies become more supportive, major investments and expansions will remain risky.

Looking ahead, Lead Reclaim Rubber is planning both forward and backward integration. On the forward side, the company aims to start manufacturing rubber tiles made entirely from rubber granules, a by-product of its current process. It also plans to enter the cycle tyre industry.

As part of its backward integration strategy, the company intends to set up more tyre collection centres both internationally and within various Indian states to secure a more consistent supply chain.

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.

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.

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.”

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.”