The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) has released its 16th End-of-Life Tire Management Report, revealing positive momentum in tyre recycling with 79 percent of end-of-life tyres being consumed by end-use markets.

This reflects a 10.5 percent increase in overall utilisation, reinforcing that end-of-life tyres remain one of the most recycled and reclaimed consumer products, outpacing materials like metal, glass, aluminium, plastic, and paper.

While this progress is encouraging, USTMA emphasises that collaborative efforts across the tyre recycling value chain must continue to fully eliminate illegal and abandoned tyre stockpiles and create sustainable, circular markets for end-of-life tyres (ELT).

Anne Forristall Luke, President and CEO, USTMA, said, “This over 95 percent reduction in stockpiles is the result of decades of progress developing the tyre recycling industry, remediating stockpile sites, and driving innovation.”

“USTMA’s primary goal is to recycle 100 percent of end-of-life tyres into circular, sustainable markets. However, significant work remains, and to achieve full circularity, we must continue to collaborate with manufacturers, recyclers, policymakers, NGOs, and environmental groups to develop and expand the markets for tyre recycling and reclaiming.”

It is interesting to note that that ground rubber has become the second largest market for end-of-life tyres, increasing 29 percent since 2019 and consuming about 28 percent of end-of-life tyres in 2023. Ground rubber is used in a range of applications, including rubberised asphalt for roads, reflecting the growing demand for sustainable materials in infrastructure and everyday products.

Rubber Modified Asphalt (RMA), a key use of ground rubber, is showing significant growth as a cost-effective, durable solution for U.S. infrastructure. Since 2021, RMA has consumed 165,000 tonnes of ELTs, representing a 17 percent increase.

USTMA states it continues to advocate for federal funding to further scale RMA as part of infrastructure development projects, ensuring long-term benefits, performance, environmental impacts, and to advance tyre circularity.

But in contrast, despite the significant achievements made, approximately 48 million end-of-life tyres still remain in stockpiles. USTMA is engaging all stakeholders in the value chain to drive sustainable practices and eliminate these stockpiles. The Tire Recycling Foundation (TRF), a joint initiative of USTMA and the Tire Industry Association, aims to provide critical support by educating, networking, and collaborating with key players in the recycling ecosystem.

“We’ve made considerable progress, but we’re not done yet,” added Luke. “The industry, policymakers, and recyclers must continue to push forward, advocate for market expansion, and invest in sustainable recycling technologies that can help drive a future where 100 percent of tyres are recycled and reclaimed into sustainable, circular end-use markets.”

Future focus areas

In light of the findings from the report, USTMA and its partners state that they will continue to focus on four key growth areas:

Driving Market Growth Through Research and Data

Building on the 2021 Rubber Modified Asphalt State of Knowledge Report, USTMA will release a Tire Derived Aggregate (TDA) State of Knowledge Report later this year, offering data-driven insights to support market growth and innovation. 

Collaborative Engagement Across the Value Chain

USTMA will continue to strengthen partnerships and collaboration among all stakeholders—manufacturers, recyclers, government agencies, and environmental groups—through initiatives like the Tire Recycling Conference and a series of Rubber Modified Asphalt (RMA) workshops, fostering knowledge sharing and advancing tyre recycling solutions across industries.

Leveraging Federal Infrastructure Funding for ELT Markets

USTMA aims to maximise opportunities from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) to scale TDA and RMA markets, reinforcing the critical role of end-use tyres in sustainable U.S. infrastructure.

Supporting Strong State ELT Management Programs

USTMA continues to advocate for robust state programs that effectively manage end-of-life tyres and support sustainable recycling practices, driving innovation and addressing tire stockpile reduction.

Representational image courtesy: Eldan Recycling

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Scandinavian Enviro Systems AB publ has signed a letter of intent with an undisclosed partner to explore the possibility of licensing its advanced tyre pyrolysis technology for deployment in North America.

The collaboration will focus on conducting a comprehensive feasibility study to evaluate the technical and commercial viability of establishing one or multiple facilities dedicated to processing end-of-life tyres using Enviro’s proprietary method. This study is designed to provide the potential licensee with the necessary insights to assess the prospects of entering into a long-term commercial arrangement and formal technology licensing agreement.

It is important to note that any definitive agreements will depend entirely on the study's outcomes and subsequent negotiations. At this stage, there is no guarantee that the evaluation will lead to binding commitments or that the proposed transaction will ultimately materialise.

Fredrik Aaben, CEO, Scandinavian Enviro Systems, said, “We continue to see strong international interest in Enviro’s technology, and this letter of intent is yet another proof of this.”

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Kraton Corporation, a leading global producer of speciality polymers and high-value bio-based chemicals derived from pine wood pulping co-products, a global price increase for all polymer products with effect from 1 April 2026. The price hike will range from USD 440 per MT to USD 700 per MT, or as individual contract terms permit, with the exact price change varying according to the polymer type and production location.

The driving forces behind these significant pricing actions are multifaceted, rooted in substantial disruptions to global supply chains. These disruptions are largely attributed to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has had a cascading effect on logistics. Compounding this issue are the sharply rising costs associated with transportation and essential raw materials.

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German specialty chemicals company LANXESS has announced a global price increase for its portfolio of functional additives for the manufacture of tyres and speciality rubbers. These changes, which are set to take effect immediately or as soon as individual contract terms permit, will see prices rise by 15 to 50 percent.

The driving forces behind these significant pricing actions are multifaceted, rooted in substantial disruptions to global supply chains. These disruptions are largely attributed to the ongoing geopolitical conflict, which has had a cascading effect on logistics. Compounding this issue are the sharply rising costs associated with transportation and essential raw materials.

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Orion S.A., a global speciality chemicals company, has announced a global price increase for its portfolio of speciality carbon black. These changes, which are set to take effect immediately or as soon as individual contract terms permit, will see prices rise by up to 25 percent.

In a strategic move to address persistent market volatility, the company is also implementing a variable surcharge on top of the base price increase. The driving forces behind these significant pricing actions are multifaceted, rooted in substantial disruptions to global supply chains. These disruptions are largely attributed to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has had a cascading effect on logistics. Compounding this issue are the sharply rising costs associated with transportation and essential raw materials.

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