Peter Taylor OBE, tyre industry veteran with vast experience in new tyre and recycling markets around the world, is a former Director of the International Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ITMA Europe), Secretary General of the UK Tyre Recovery Association (TRA) and Vice President of the European Tyre Recycling Association (ETRA). Taylor, a prolific writer on industry matters, spoke to Tyre Trends on TRA’s role in sustainability drive.

Please elaborate on TRA’s (Tyre Recovery Association, UK) operations in the recovery process and further handling of recovered tyres

The TRA is a UK industry-wide association of ELT collectors and recyclers founded almost two decades ago when it has to be said interest in tyre recycling and its potential was a great deal less than it is today.

The ‘driver’ behind the push to beneficially recycle much more of our waste was undoubtedly the EU Landfill Directive which required that by 2006 almost all of our end-of-life tyres both here, in the UK and across Europe be appropriately reused or recycled. Here in the UK, we have largely met this requirement though like other countries, sometimes imperfectly.

The underlying concept behind the Landfill Directive was the notion of Producer Responsibility. This, however, was never clearly defined. In many countries the ‘producer’ was rather imperfectly defined as the ‘manufacturer’ of the product whereas elsewhere such as here in the UK, our government opted for the concept of shared PR, thus placing an onus on everyone in the recovery chain from manufacturer and importer through distributor and retailer to consumers, collectors and recyclers. This broader UK approach helped us build on our existing infrastructure and evolve a wider market-based approach to tyre recycling. That said, no ELT recovery programme is wholly effective in eliminating bad practices but we believe that a more effective monitoring pinch point in the recovery chain is not where our new tyres are first introduced into a market, but where they are ultimately removed from a wheel, i.e., the ‘pull’ rather than the ‘push’ approach. Almost from the outset we, as an association, set out to build a credible best practice approach to ELT recycling which would have broad industry support, we named this the TRA Responsible Recycler Scheme (RRS). All full TRA members subscribe to this and are required to be regularly audited for compliance and today, I am pleased to say that some three-quarters of all UK ELT’s are responsibly handled by our members supported by most retailers and manufacturers. As a purely voluntary approach to recycling, we are proud of this, in purely tonnage terms alone, we are the largest single recovery initiative almost anywhere in the world.

So, what now? ELT recovery markets everywhere are in flux as new markets for ELT-derived materials evolve as we exit the very undesirable trade in baled-tyre exports which undermined market stability here in Europe and well beyond.

In moving forward our challenge and great opportunity will be to better valorise ELT-derived materials by better exploiting their great intrinsic worth. As important a concept producer responsibility is, we should avoid being totally captivated by it at the cost of ignoring the simple principles of the waste hierarchy.

Our old tyres are more than a convenient fuel but potentially full of market opportunity for the very many other products derived from processes such as granulation and for very significant emerging technologies like pyrolysis and its by-products. This must be our direction of travel.

How much of a competitive edge you have in the market, compared with other recyclers?

We are of course an industry association and not an individual business but our propositions, and those of our members are simple, they are:

Best Practice – Legal Compliance – Customer Confidence

Here in the UK the concept of ‘Duty of Care’ is underpinned in law and potentially applies to every player in the recovery chain which is one more reason we enjoy such a large measure of cross-industry support.

Your view on how huge is the potential of tyre recycling sector in future?

We believe that the potential for tyre recycling everywhere is exponential, we are simply at the foothills of the possible as just a glance back at the waste hierarchy pyramid demonstrates all too clearly. Countries only have to compare their own current performances against the valorisation objectives of the pyramid. However, getting there is not simple. To do so will require entrepreneurship, investment and market confidence, elements which some of the more rigid approaches to ELT recycling will struggle to engage with. Recycling is not an acronym for convenient ‘disposal’ but a journey into ever greater resource efficiency.

On the challenges you face, including whether you get any support from government environmental agencies

The way in which we handle our ELT arisings here in the UK is often dubbed the ‘free market’ approach but this is very misleading. A better description of our approach would be ‘market-based with strong regulatory underpinning’. Our environmental laws are strict though not always as business friendly as we would like them to be. Good regulation should not just be about managing compliance but of providing a basis for market stability and the best possible conditions for market growth. I hope we will slowly get there and one of our prime duties is to engage proactively with the government and other regulators to help them adapt to this mindset.

In all of this however, it is all too easy to point the finger of responsibility at those who rule us, some of the responsibility is ours too and it was with this in mind when we first launched our Responsible Recycler Scheme all those years ago now. We chose to lead, rather than wait to be led and to help mould our futures rather than be made the reluctant captives of often inappropriate official policies and initiatives. The choice was ours as much as it will be yours in India and in very many other parts of the world.

The Rubber Board has announced the commencement date for a three-month Certificate Course in molecular biology and biotechnology techniques through the National Institute for Rubber Training (NIRT). The course begins on 7 May 2025 and the number of seats is limited to 15.

Graduates, postgraduates, research scholars and practitioners interested in academic and industrial employment based on molecular biology and biotechnology in any field of biological science are encouraged to apply by 1 May 2025, according to the organisation's press release. In addition to updating knowledge, the course focuses on developing practical skills in some of the fundamental molecular procedures, such as gene cloning, sequencing, gene expression, transgenic development and the extraction of nucleic acids (DNA, RNA). According to the statement, individuals who successfully complete the course will be qualified to participate in cutting-edge research in molecular biology and related fields as a potential career opportunity.

Interested candidates may contact on 9495928077 (WhatsApp 0481 2351313) or send a mail to training@rubberboard.org.in for more details.

Nexen Tire’s N’FERA Sport R and N’Blue 4 Season 2 tyres have emerged winners at the 2025 Green Good Design Awards, the eco-focused division of the Good Design Awards, organised by The Chicago Athenaeum and The European Centre for Architecture, Art, Design and Urban Studies. Both the tyres were recognised in the Green Transportation category for their eco-friendly design.

The N’FERA Sport R, a high-performance summer tyre, was praised for its function-driven design that enhances driving performance and user convenience. The tyre features ‘Step Groove’ tread pattern, wherein the groove gradually expands the contact area as the tyre wears, which helps in maintaining the grip even in worn conditions. The circular wear indication in the middle of the tread diminishes over time, signalling that the tyre needs to be changed. To increase grip, the tyre also makes use of a broad contact patch and a high-carbon black compound. To improve stability and responsiveness at high speeds, the inside is constructed with a two-ply polyester framework and a twin steel belt. By avoiding wheel slide, these design elements contribute to steady performance even in high-torque electric vehicles.

Already a recipient of the prestigious Red Dot Design Awards (2022) and the ‘Green Tire’ seal from AutoBild (2023), the N’Blue 4Season 2 was also recognised in the same category for its eco-friendly design, which decreases tread wear, extends replacement cycles and lowers environmental impact. The tyre lasts longer and produces less waste thanks to a new compound that increases wear resistance by almost 30 percent over the previous model, supporting sustainability. Fine sipes are positioned in the middle of the tread blocks to guarantee uniform contact with the road. The outer tread's serrated edges enhance braking on snow, while the centre’s slanted support structure lessens block movement on uneven terrain for a more stable ride during the winter.

Travis Kang, Global CEO of Nexen Tire, said, “This award highlights our commitment to shaping a sustainable mobility environment through design-driven innovation. This accolade confirms our commitment to sustainability and quality. We will continue to strengthen our brand through innovation and responsible management.”

Bekaert has flagged off its first fleet of LNG-powered trucks in India in collaboration with GreenLine, the country’s leading provider of sustainable heavy trucking solutions. The joint initiative is aimed at supporting India’s vision for a gas-based economy and reducing the carbon footprint of road logistics.

The foundation of the collaboration with GreenLine is a mutual dedication to operational innovation and ESG standards. Bekaert has the infrastructure required to trial this effort in Chennai and Halol, with plans to expand following a six-month learning period, thanks to GreenLine's LNG ecosystem, which is supported by real-time telemetry and a smooth refuelling network. It is anticipated that each LNG truck will save up to 24 tonnes of CO₂ a year, making a significant contribution to Bekaert's targets of 65 percent of sales coming from sustainable sources and carbon net zero by 2050.

Dinesh Mukhedkar, Procurement Operations Lead – South Asia and Procurement Global Shared Service Centre Lead, said, “As part of our purpose, ‘Establishing the new possible’, and our ambition to lead in safe, smart and sustainable solutions, decarbonising logistics is an essential step. Heavy-duty transport contributes nearly 90 percent of emissions in Indian logistics. Switching to LNG helps reduce CO₂ by up to 30 percent and particulate matter by up to 91 percent compared to diesel. GreenLine’s mission and integrated support made them the ideal partner. Together, we are shaping a cleaner, more sustainable future for logistics in India.”

Trelleborg Tires is all prepped up to debut the ART1000, its first agricultural rubber track for high-powered machinery, at the upcoming Agrishow 2025, the largest agribusiness trade show in Latin America. The company will also display its TM150 CFO tyre, which is developed for a new generation of sprayers, along with a wide selection of products designed for modern farming. The event is scheduled to be held from 28 April to 2 May in Ribeirão Preto (SP), Brazil.

Trelleborg Tires enters the agricultural rubber track market with the ART1000, a tyre designed for high-horsepower machines. In addition to optimizing vehicle economy and offering additional strength and long-lasting durability, the ART1000 is engineered for remarkable adaptability and mobility of agricultural machinery in all operating circumstances. Its track design incorporates cutting-edge tread bars that reduce soil compaction, encouraging nutrient absorption and robust root development. In demanding high-pull applications, the high self-cleaning capability maximizes overall performance and lowers operating costs by improving ride quality and increasing traction. Even in the most demanding agricultural settings, ART1000's exceptional wear and cut resistance is ensured by its cutting-edge engineering and sophisticated rubber compounds.

The TM150 CFO series, which comes in sizes VF380/90R46 and has both VF (Very High Flexion) and CFO (Cyclic Field Operations) technology, is also making its debut in Brazil. CFO allows for greater load capacity during cyclic operations at up to 30 kmph when installed on contemporary, powerful sprayers. Because of its unique internal construction, the TM150 can operate at lower pressures, increasing its ground footprint, reducing soil compaction, and improving traction.

At Booth #E8b, Trelleborg will also display a range of high-performance tyre solutions including PneuTrac, a hybrid between a radial agricultural tyre and a track designed for smooth navigation in vineyards and orchards, the multi-award-winning TM1000 ProgressiveTraction tyre and the company’s patented agricultural TW rim profile for contemporary tractors, combines and harvesters.

Marcelo Natalini, President at Yokohama TWS South America, said, “Trelleborg Tires brings innovation from the soil up, delivering high-performing tyre solutions to boost productivity and protect their land. At Agrishow 2025, agri professionals will have the chance to connect with our tyre experts on site and see these technologies live, from the new ART1000 rubber track to our most advanced tyre ranges, designed to handle the challenges of next-generation machinery and modern field operations.”