New closed-loop initiative will transform end-of-life tyres into recycled materials for manufacturing new tyres, advancing Europe’s circular economy and sustainable rubber production.
Pirelli, together with a group of industry partners, has launched Europe’s largest tyre-to-tyre circular recycling initiative, marking a major milestone in the development of a closed-loop value chain for end-of-life tyres. The project aims to recover high-value raw materials from used tyres and reintroduce them into the production of new tyres, reducing dependence on virgin resources and supporting the transition to a circular economy.
The initiative focuses on converting end-of-life tyres (ELTs) into valuable secondary raw materials, including recovered carbon black, recycled rubber, steel, and other reusable materials. These recovered materials will be processed to meet the quality standards required for manufacturing new tyres, enabling a true tyre-to-tyre recycling model rather than lower-value applications.
By creating a closed-loop supply chain, the project is expected to significantly reduce waste generation, lower carbon emissions, and decrease the consumption of virgin raw materials used in tyre manufacturing. The collaboration also supports Europe’s broader sustainability objectives by improving resource efficiency and increasing the use of recycled materials in industrial production.
The project brings together expertise from across the tyre recycling and materials value chain, combining advanced recycling technologies with manufacturing know-how to demonstrate the commercial viability of circular tyre production. The initiative is expected to accelerate the adoption of recovered materials in premium tyre manufacturing while encouraging further innovation in rubber recycling technologies.
For the rubber industry, the development represents an important step toward reducing the environmental impact of tyre production. Greater use of recycled rubber and recovered carbon black can help manufacturers improve sustainability performance while supporting compliance with evolving environmental regulations and circular economy targets across Europe.
The launch of Europe’s largest tyre-to-tyre recycling project reinforces Pirelli’s commitment to sustainable innovation and circular manufacturing. As the industry continues to increase the use of recycled materials, initiatives such as this are expected to play a key role in building a more resilient, resource-efficient, and environmentally responsible tyre industry.