The tyre industry has undergone significant changes over the past century, particularly in material composition and performance optimisation. While the external appearance of tyres may remain similar, advancements in rolling resistance and the integration of sustainable materials have reshaped the sector. Michelin, alongside its competitors, has been embracing innovation through collaborations to meet its ambitious 2050 sustainability goals, focusing on using 100 percent renewable and recycled materials. However, the challenge lies in scaling up recycling technologies and ensuring effective sorting. As the industry shifts, RFID technology and extended producer responsibility (EPR) regulations are emerging as critical tools for achieving material circularity and enhancing recycling efficiency.

Tyres have changed in the last 100 years. While the basic shape and colour might look the same, the internal composition has evolved significantly. Over the past century, and especially in the last 30 years, there have been major advances. One of the most significant has been the improvement in rolling resistance. Achieving lower rolling resistance without compromising grip has been a major technical challenge, and it has had a direct impact on fuel efficiency. In parallel, there’s been increasing focus on using more sustainable materials in tyre manufacturing. So, while it might not be obvious from the outside, there’s been substantial innovation under the surface.

However, it is a well-known fact that the tyre industry is secretive. Companies keep their research and development as tight as possible, but endeavours for including recyclable materials seem to break that ceiling, prompting towards collaborations.

Speaking exclusively to Tyre Trends, Sander Vermeulen, Vice President for End-of-life Rubber Products Recycling Business at Michelin, said, “There is a growing need and momentum for tyre companies to work more closely together, particularly around sustainability and materials innovation. Many companies have set ambitious goals for 2050, which include using 100 percent sustainable materials, achieving full recyclability or becoming carbon neutral. While each company may define these goals differently, the overarching direction is very similar.”

“A good example of this shift is our recent collaboration with Bridgestone through the ‘Call for Action’ initiative. We discovered that both companies shared similar long-term ambitions. One major challenge we identified was the scalability of innovations, especially from recycling companies. Many of these innovations work well at small scale, but scaling them up to meet the needs of the global tyre industry is a different story. What’s promising is that instead of working in silos, we began engaging in open dialogue. Both Michelin and Bridgestone were receiving proposals for new materials but often found them unsuitable for tyre applications. Rather than simply rejecting these proposals, we asked that how we can help these suppliers improve the products,” he added.

He noted that together the tyre makers started defining shared specifications that outline the minimum criteria a new material must meet to be viable for tyre manufacturing. “It’s not a guarantee of adoption, but it provides a clear, transparent benchmark. And if a material doesn’t fall within that box, we can save time for ourselves and the suppliers,” added Vermeulen.

He also quipped that he had never imagined working so openly with a competitor like Bridgestone whilst strictly respecting antitrust rules. But the experience has been incredibly constructive.

Michelin’s 2050 target is bold as it seeks to make 100 percent of its tyres from renewable, recycled or sustainable materials. Recycling sits at the core of that ambition. Internally, the company is aligning efforts across departments to meet this goal with a near-term milestone of 40 percent sustainable content by 2030.

That percentage includes both recycled and bio-based materials. However, Michelin isn’t developing recycling technologies in-house. Instead, it’s working with a network of external partners to identify and scale promising innovations.

Among its collaborators are Enviro and Infiniteria as well as broader initiatives like Biobutterfly and the WhiteCycle consortium, which focuses on recovering textile fibres for tyres. The company remains open to any solution that can help close the loop on tyre materials.

As of the most recent annual report, Michelin reported that 31 percent of the materials used in its tyres are either renewable or recycled. This figure reflects the combined share of both categories, not recycled content alone.

Opining on whether recycled materials are easier to use in commercial or passenger tyres, Vermeulen said, “It really depends on the specific application. Some applications allow for a higher percentage of renewable or recycled content than others. But we don’t break down our targets or current performance by tyre category. The current figure we’ve communicated in our annual report is a global average across all types of tyres.”

EVOLVING VALUE CHAIN

As tyre companies remain steadfast towards the respective goals of using recycled and renewable materials, a glaring question that remains is the fate of current suppliers. Explaining how the value chain will be impacted once tyre companies reach the goals, Vermeulen stated, “They will also need to adapt. The entire value chain must evolve. That means synthetic rubber producers and oil suppliers need to develop renewable or recycled versions of the materials they currently provide. Everyone, from upstream raw material providers to downstream manufacturers, will need to contribute if we’re going to meet these ambitious goals.”

Commenting on whether such shift will restructure the entire tyre industry, he said, “It’s hard to make specific predictions, but one thing is clear that the entire value chain is already beginning to change. All raw material suppliers now understand the direction tyre manufacturers are heading. We’re already seeing many traditional suppliers exploring new approaches to reduce the reliance on fossil-based materials. Some are developing recycled alternatives, while others are exploring biobased feedstocks.”

“In this effort, a concept we explored in a large-scale European project was called BlackCycle. It brought together various actors from the entire tyre industry value chain including raw material suppliers and other stakeholders to map out how we can extract maximum value from end-of-life tyres. It looked at viable recycling pathways including how pyrolysis oil can be integrated into chemical supply chains. We all need to work together to co-create solutions based on renewable and recycled materials,” he added.

Michelin doesn’t plan to produce recycled materials itself. Instead, its focus is on defining performance and quality specifications, then partnering with companies ranging from start-ups to established suppliers that can deliver materials meeting those standards.

Commenting on the same lines, he added, “The entire tyre industry has a strong interest in gaining access to recycled materials that can be reused in new products. And to achieve that, partnerships are essential. There’s no way we can meet these ambitions if every company stays within its traditional boundaries and works in isolation. We believe in collaborating across the value chain. Often, smaller companies have breakthrough technologies or innovative ideas but lack the resources or infrastructure to scale. In those cases, if we can help them access funding or industrialise the processes, it’s a win-win for the industry as a whole.”

While performance gaps between recycled and virgin materials are a known concern, Michelin sees scalability as the more critical barrier. Many recycling innovations show promise at the lab or prototype level, but few are ready for industrial-scale production.

To bridge that gap, Michelin and others in the sector are working closely with innovators to help mature these technologies to meet industry demands.

REGULATION & TECHNOLOGY

The extended producer responsibility (EPR) has been a staunch advocate for recycling end-of-life tyres across countries. The regulation is not only limited to European markets but has expanding into countries like India too.

Commenting on whether EPR regulations will help drive more effective recycling, Vermeulen said, “Extended producer responsibility plays a key role in tyre recycling by making manufacturers responsible for collecting and recycling tyre after use. In countries with EPR laws, such as most of Europe, producers and importers must ensure proper tyre collection and recycling. This legally mandates tyre producers to manage the end-of-life stage of the products. However, EPR is not the only model that can ensure effective recycling. In regions without EPR, like the United States, tyre recycling is still managed through a free-market system driven by industry and service providers. Even in Germany, which lacks an EPR law, tyres are still collected and managed properly through industry-driven solutions.”

“While EPR can certainly help in places with limited infrastructure, the key to effective tyre recycling lies in how well the system is organised. Whether through EPR or free-market models, both can be effective as long as the collection and recycling infrastructure is well established,” he added.

Vermeulen also views RFID technology as a crucial enabler for achieving material circularity in the tyre industry. By embedding RFID tags, tyres can be tracked and identified with precise information about its composition, helping to streamline the recycling process. This technology allows for better sorting of tyres based on specific material make-up, which is critical for maximising the quality of recycled materials.

Just as with household recycling, the challenge is to ensure that materials are sorted effectively. With too many sorting categories, costs rise without guaranteeing better quality. RFID makes it easier to identify the correct ‘bin’ for each tyre, whether it’s a winter, truck or passenger car tyre.

Additionally, RFID can help differentiate between new, retreaded and partially worn tyres, which often have varying materials and recycling needs. This enables more efficient sorting, improving the overall quality of the recycling output while keeping costs manageable. Michelin sees RFID as an essential tool in making the recycling process more effective and economically viable.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

HS HYOSUNG ADVANCED MATERIALS has completed and commenced operation of a 17.5-MWp rooftop solar power installation at its facility in Vietnam’s Nhon Trach Industrial Park, located within Dong Nai Province. This marks a significant step in the company’s broader effort to reshape its Vietnam operations – its largest global manufacturing base for tyre cords and technical yarns – into what it terms a ‘Smart Green Factory’. By merging renewable energy infrastructure with digital energy management systems, developed in partnership with the energy IT specialist Nuriflex, the firm is positioning this site at the forefront of its transition towards becoming a global eco-friendly manufacturing hub.

A key element of this transformation is the deployment of an Internet of Things based energy management system, which allows for real-time oversight of electricity generation and equipment performance. This digital layer not only streamlines operational efficiency but also contributes to greater equipment reliability and overall productivity gains, ensuring that the integration of renewable energy delivers tangible improvements beyond simple power generation.

With further solar installations set to be completed by August, total rooftop capacity at the Nhon Trach site will reach 37.5 MWp. Once fully operational in the latter half of the year, HS HYOSUNG ADVANCED MATERIALS anticipates annual electricity cost savings exceeding KRW 6 billion (approximately USD 3.94 million), bolstering its cost competitiveness. The expansion is also expected to deliver meaningful reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, reinforcing the company’s long-term commitment to sustainable management practices.

Through advanced energy IoT solutions, the Vietnam subsidiary now systematically manages carbon reduction data generated from its solar power operations. This capability enables a more structured response to rising demands from major global customers – including Michelin, Bridgestone, Goodyear, Continental and Pirelli – for verified renewable energy usage and carbon emissions information. By strengthening its ESG performance across the supply chain, the company is leveraging its solar infrastructure and smart energy management not merely as facility investments but as strategic tools to enhance environmental responsibility and competitiveness in a market where sustainable value chains are increasingly essential.

“Starting with our Vietnam production base, we are simultaneously promoting renewable energy transition and energy efficiency improvements across our operations. By expanding solar power facilities, we will strengthen both cost competitiveness and ESG capabilities while proactively responding to the evolving requirements of our global customers,” said an official from HS HYOSUNG ADVANCED MATERIALS.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

The Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) has released its Monthly NR Statistical Report for February 2026, detailing a period of significant market activity influenced by geopolitical tensions, macroeconomic changes and shifting supply-demand dynamics within the global natural rubber sector.

As per the report, global natural rubber production for 2026 is forecast to reach 15.324 million tonnes, a 2.2 percent increase from the 14.996 million tonnes recorded in 2025. February output alone is projected at 994,000 tonnes, marking a 3.4 percent year-on-year rise due to favourable weather and higher rubber prices. Despite this overall growth, production trends vary among member nations. While Thailand is expected to remain the top producer, Indonesia and Vietnam face short-term constraints from structural and agronomic issues. Meanwhile, Malaysia is advancing efforts to restore abandoned plantations, with the Rubber Production Incentive activated in Sarawak and Sabah and the Malaysian Rubber Board targeting the rehabilitation of 4,137 hectares of idle land in 2026.

Physical and futures markets saw notable price increases across major grades in February. In Kuala Lumpur, SMR-20 averaged USD 2.01 per kilogramme, a 5.13 percent monthly gain, while STR-20 in Bangkok rose 5.12 percent to USD 2.11 per kilogramme. Sheet rubber grades also strengthened, with RSS-3 increasing 7.84 percent to USD 2.35 per kilogramme and RSS-4 in Kottayam surging 10.38 percent to USD 2.34 per kilogramme. Centrifuged latex in Kuala Lumpur closed the month at USD 1.61 per kilogramme. Futures mirrored this firming trend, as the Shanghai Futures Exchange May 2026 contract averaged roughly 16,508 CNY (approximately USD 2,388) per tonne and the SGX contract averaged USD 1.92 per kilogramme, supported by strong demand and tightening supply expectations ahead of the seasonal low-yield period from February to May.

Crude oil volatility added further complexity, with Brent averaging USD 70.89 per barrel in February – up 6.43 percent from January – before spiking to approximately USD 104 per barrel in early March following military actions in the Middle East and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a conduit for nearly 20 percent of global oil supply. This has introduced a risk premium with implications for synthetic rubber competitiveness and natural rubber demand. Currency shifts also play a role, as the Malaysian Ringgit appreciated modestly to 3.89 MYR per USD and the Thai Baht strengthened to around 31.08 THB per USD by late February, affecting trade competitiveness. Looking ahead, rising automotive production, especially of new energy vehicles in China, India and Southeast Asia, is expected to sustain demand and support prices. However, risks persist from US-China trade tensions, Middle East geopolitical instability, weather uncertainties during the low-yield season and currency fluctuations tied to US monetary policy, all of which could disrupt supply chains and export revenues.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Tokyo Zairyo Co., Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Zeon Corporation, marked a significant milestone in November 2025 by establishing a new branch office in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. Following the completion of all necessary preparations, this location has now commenced full-scale operations. The move represents a deliberate effort to broaden the company’s commercial reach across the Indian market while simultaneously constructing an organizational structure capable of responding with greater agility to the evolving and increasingly diverse requirements of its customers.

This southern expansion comes approximately 15 years after the company first established its Indian subsidiary, Tokyo Zairyo (India) Pvt. Ltd., with an office in Gurugram, Haryana, in 2011. By positioning a second office in Chennai, the firm now operates a coordinated network spanning the northern and southern regions of the country. Close collaboration between the two locations is intended to strengthen information services and enhance user support, leveraging both internal capabilities and external partnerships to better serve Japanese automotive parts manufacturers and processors operating throughout India.

Through this dual-office structure, Tokyo Zairyo is poised to advance its core business of purchasing and selling a broad spectrum of materials, including rubber, resins and elastomers. The synchronised operations in Gurugram and Chennai enable the company to deliver more responsive support, ensuring that clients across the Indian automotive supply chain benefit from efficient service and a reliable supply of essential materials.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Kuraray Co., Ltd. has announced a comprehensive global price adjustment for its portfolio of Liquid Rubber products and ISOBAM alkaline water-soluble polymer. These changes, which are set to take effect on 16 April 2026, will see prices rise by at least USD 2 per kg.

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.

This strategic move is essential for the company to maintain operational stability and continue the supply of Liquid Rubber and ISOBAM amidst the volatile market conditions.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!