Solvay is expanding its global circular economy strategy by converting its Asian production of highly dispersible silica (HDS) to use certified circular raw materials. Beginning in 2026, its plants in Qingdao, China, and Gunsan, South Korea, will transition to using ISCC+ certified waste sand. This major initiative is projected to make over half of the region’s HDS output circular, directly aiding tyre makers in their goal of incorporating over 40 percent sustainable materials by 2030.

This transition provides tyre manufacturers with a cost-effective, high-volume circular Zeosil silica that integrates seamlessly into existing processes without the need for reformulation. The move builds on the successful conversion of Solvay’s Livorno, Italy, facility to using rice husk ash and reflects a coordinated, global shift towards circular sourcing. It also supports the broader sustainability goals of Solvay Silica, including the adoption of low-emission technologies like electric furnaces to minimise the carbon footprint of its products worldwide.

By pioneering circular silica from diverse feedstocks and regions, Solvay is fostering more resilient and sustainable supply chains through innovative partnerships across the entire value chain.

An Nuyttens, President of Solvay’s Silica Business unit, said, “Solvay’s circular silica helps improve fuel efficiency and EV range, offers long-lasting wear benefits, improves safety, while advancing sustainability. This is more than innovation - it’s a reinvention of how we source, produce and collaborate across the value chain.”

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The Tire Recycling Foundation has opened nominations for its first Circle of Change Awards, aimed at recognising organisations, teams and individuals advancing innovation and sustainability across the tyre recycling sector.

Nominations opened on 15 December and will be accepted until 8 February  2026. The awards will honour contributions spanning tyre recycling technologies, end-use market development and leadership in circular economy practices.

“The Circle of Change Awards will serve as a powerful way to recognise national visionaries and changemakers who have shaped the trajectory of the full tyre recycling value chain over the past two decades,” said Anne Forristall Luke, president of the Tire Recycling Foundation board. “We are thrilled to recognise trailblazers making a lasting impact on end-of-life tyre (ELT) recycling and the circular economy.”

Four award categories will be presented at the 10th Tire Recycling Conference, scheduled to take place in Denver, Colorado.

“By spotlighting the collective progress being made in tyre recycling, the Foundation hopes these inaugural awards will inspire and fuel accelerating momentum in exciting new markets for recycled tyres,” said Stephanie Mull, executive director of the Tire Recycling Foundation.

The Innovation in End-Use Technology Award will recognise technologies, products or processes that use recycled tyre rubber in new ways, with a focus on technological advancement, commercialisation and sustainability impact.

The Circular Economy Trailblazer Recognition, State Leadership in Tire Market Innovation category will honour state agencies or statewide programmes that demonstrate leadership and measurable impact in advancing tyre recycling within a circular economy framework.

The Market Development Excellence Award will recognise efforts to expand end-use markets for tyre-derived materials through education, policy, marketing or advocacy, with an emphasis on measurable market growth and long-term strategy.

The Value Chain Collaboration Award will acknowledge partnerships across the tyre recycling value chain that deliver measurable improvements in efficiency, economics or environmental performance.

The foundation said organisations and individuals that have made significant contributions to tyre recycling or developed innovative solutions for tyre-derived materials are encouraged to apply. Award recipients will be allowed to showcase their achievements and inspire further progress across the sector.

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The German Rubber Industry Association (wdk) has called for enhanced policies to unlock the full potential of tyre recycling in Germany. While acknowledging the existing successes of the circular economy in this sector, Stephan Rau, Technical Director of wdk, emphasised that significant untapped opportunities remain. Last year alone, Germany generated 533,000 tonnes of used tyres, with nearly 70 percent kept in circulation through reuse, retreading and recycling. The wdk advocates for a stronger framework to improve these material flows and boost the market for recycled materials.

A central pillar of the wdk’s position is the demand for a modern, science-based evaluation of recycled rubber products. Over 200,000 tonnes of used tyres are processed annually into granules and rubber flour, vital secondary raw materials for sustainable manufacturing. However, Rau argues that their broader market success is hindered by outdated assessment methods. The association urgently recommends a risk-based approach that evaluates chemical ingredients based on their actual bioavailability and migration, rather than their mere presence. This perspective, now supported by the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), necessitates establishing binding limit values determined through migration analysis to ensure both safety and commercial viability.

Furthermore, the wdk highlights a critical gap in the complete monitoring of tyre material flows. A notable proportion of used tyres exit Germany and Europe for processing, depriving domestic recyclers of valuable secondary raw materials. To address this leakage and strengthen the circular economy, Rau stresses the need for comprehensive tracking of all end-of-life tyres. The association’s commitment is reflected in its patronage of the Alliance for Future Tyres (AZuR), a European network of nearly 100 partners from industry, trade and science dedicated to advancing a sustainable tyre circular economy across all segments.

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Hi-Green Carbon Limited has achieved a significant milestone in its sustainability operations by securing the prestigious ISCC EU Certification. This globally recognised endorsement highlights the company's adherence to rigorous international standards for environmental responsibility and supply chain integrity.

The certification verifies full compliance across the entire production process, from sourcing to delivery, emphasising traceability and operational transparency. It specifically validates the sustainable production of the company's key outputs, including recovered carbon black (rCB) and tyre pyrolysis oil (TPO). This accomplishment underscores Hi-Green Carbon’s commitment to circular economy principles and positions it as a leader in the production of sustainable industrial materials.

The company statement read: “This milestone not only strengthens our sustainability commitment but also deepens our collaboration with you, our valued clients and partners. With ISCC-certified products, you can have greater confidence in the environmental integrity and long-term sustainability of your supply chain, supporting your own green initiatives and carbon-reduction goals. We extend our sincere gratitude to our clients, partners, and team members for their consistent support and trust. Together, we are driving positive change and contributing to a cleaner, greener, and more circular future.”

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Bekaert has launched a sustainability label, inhera, to identify its top-performing solutions designed to help customers accelerate progress towards net-zero targets. The label is applied to products that meet defined criteria, including alignment with the EU Taxonomy Regulation, carbon-emission reduction, improved resource efficiency and support for circularity. Eight solutions currently carry the label.

The company said the initiative responds to rising expectations for transparency and credible sustainability claims. It presents inhera as a means of offering clearer information on the impact of its solutions across sectors including construction, automotive and energy.

The name reflects Bekaert’s stated commitment to integrating sustainability across its operations. Ann-Françoise Versele, Vice-President Sustainability, said: “Sustainability is inherent in everything we do at Bekaert. Through our products and processes, we aim to leave a legacy of sustainability for future generations. Our partners who choose inhera solutions are choosing to accelerate sustainability and create real impact.”

The eight labelled solutions include Ampact copper magnet wire for high-voltage electric-motor stators, which the company says delivers a 10 per cent reduction in direct CO₂ emissions. Flexisteel hoist ropes for elevators are designed to cut daily energy use by up to 36 per cent compared with traditional steel ropes.

Elyta Ultra and Mega Tensile tyre reinforcements provide up to 16 per cent CO₂ savings per tyre and support circular reuse. High-tensile steel cores for overhead power lines reduce steel consumption by more than 30 per cent.

Bezinal Vineyard Plus coatings, made with low-carbon raw materials, deliver more than 50 per cent CO₂ reduction and 14 percent lower life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions. Bezinox non-magnetic armouring wire for submarine power cables is engineered to extend cable life and reduce operating temperatures.

Next-generation hose-wire reinforcement uses 28 per cent less wire and 5 per cent less rubber per hose, resulting in up to 70 percent lower CO₂ emissions, while subsea cable armouring wire made from at least 70 per cent recycled steel offers more than 50 per cent CO₂ savings and is fully recyclable at end-of-life.

Bekaert said additional products will be added to the inhera label as further innovations are developed.

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