The 6th AZuR Partner Meeting convened over 70 participants from industry, small and medium-sized enterprises, trade, politics and academia on 26 and 27 February 2026 in Upper Austria. The event was hosted by KIAS Recycling GmbH, the operator of Austria’s sole used tyre recycling plant, at the Alte Fabrik event centre. The gathering brought together stakeholders from across the European tyre and recycling sector for a programme of presentations, workshops and discussions. The central aim was to devise forward-thinking solutions and projects to enhance retreading alongside mechanical and chemical recycling processes.

Christina Guth, the AZuR network coordinator, expressed her satisfaction with the high level of personal engagement demonstrated by partners from across Europe. She noted that expert presentations injected fresh energy and the ensuing dialogues generated promising concepts for expanding the tyre circular economy. She extended particular gratitude to the KIAS Recycling team for their thorough preparation and organisation, which made such a substantial event possible.

The technical proceedings commenced after a welcome from representatives of KIAS Recycling, the wdk and AZuR. Professor Holger Hoppe from TH Ingolstadt delivered an engaging presentation centred on the future of the circular economy, illustrating how the combination of novel business models, regulatory measures and cross-disciplinary teamwork can propel the necessary transformation. A subsequent networking session, guided by coordinator Anna-Maria Guth, reviewed the previous year's milestones, including political engagement at various governmental levels, scientific partnerships, trade fair participation and international exchanges.

A significant portion of the meeting was devoted to updates from AZuR’s three project groups. The retreading group is intensifying its political advocacy regionally and boosting its profile at major trade fairs. The mechanical recycling group is prioritising collaborations and involvement in municipal tenders and specialist conferences. Meanwhile, the chemical recycling group is concentrating on completing masterbatch initiatives, developing practical product applications and clarifying the distinction between pyrolysis and simple incineration.

The visit to KIAS Recycling’s facility stood out as a key highlight. Partners were led through the plant in small groups, observing firsthand the modern processes of tyre recycling, from intake and treatment to the high-value application of recovered materials. This tour effectively demonstrated that certified waste management and recycling infrastructure are fundamental to a successful tyre circular economy.

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KRAIBURG TPE has earned gold medal from EcoVadis for the second consecutive year. This recognition reflects the performance of the company’s entire global operations, which collectively achieved this distinguished honour. The company posted new peak scores across all four evaluation categories, which include environmental impact, labour and human rights, ethical conduct and sustainable sourcing. Ranking in the 98th percentile, KRAIBURG TPE now stands among the top two percent of all companies rated by EcoVadis globally, reinforcing its status as a frontrunner in responsible corporate practices.

Within the plastics sector, sustainability has evolved into a fundamental driver of success. Growing public attention now extends beyond isolated topics, calling instead for businesses to offer clear and reliable sustainability reporting. Measurable indicators that track advancements and allow for objective comparisons across industry peers have thus become indispensable.

Having evaluated over 150,000 businesses, EcoVadis has cemented its role as one of the most trusted frameworks for assessing corporate sustainability. The benchmarks applied by the Paris-based organization across its categories are both rigorous and comprehensive. Given this demanding standard, KRAIBURG TPE’s 2022 achievement of a silver award in its debut year was particularly meaningful.

In 2025, the company reached a new milestone by receiving its first gold medal covering all global facilities, a testament to inter-site collaboration and the dedication of its entire workforce. This distinction was reaffirmed during the scheduled reassessment in January 2026, accompanied by even higher marks in every category. Such ongoing improvement demonstrates the company’s steadfast commitment to advancing its sustainability objectives consistently across international operations.

Oliver Zintner, CEO, KRAIBURG TPE, said, “For us, this second Gold Award is confirmation in many respects of the extraordinary achievements we have made in the field of sustainability in the past years. On the one hand, it demonstrates how strong our position is in international comparison. But above all, the award emphasises how continuously and persistently we pursue our sustainability goals in all categories. Results like that are not at all a matter of course in our competitive environment. They only become possible because our colleagues at all sites worldwide are closely working together in a partnership-based manner.”

Michael Pollmann, Sales & Marketing Director EMEA, said, “In addition to product quality, price and delivery reliability, sustainability criteria are a more and more important factor for our customers’ purchase decisions. The EcoVadis award represents the consistency and transparency with which we implement our sustainability promises. It is a relevant strategic competitive factor and is gaining in importance, particularly in view of increasing legal requirements in fields such as supply chain assessment.”

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Pyrum Innovations AG has achieved ISCC EU certification for its thermolysis oil from end-of-life tyres. This confirms alignment with EU Renewable Energy Directives RED II and RED III, allowing the oil's use across the European Union as sustainable feedstock for biofuels and other renewable energy sources.

This endorsement represents a pivotal advancement in Pyrum's industrial scaling. By bridging circular economy principles with a defined energy sector, the oil is now eligible within a regulatory environment essential for sustainable fuel growth in Europe. Consequently, market expansion is enhanced, especially in biofuel, bioliquid, biomass fuel and co-processed sectors.

The ISCC EU certification is a global standard for verifying sustainability and transparency. It assures that ecologically sensitive areas are safeguarded, emissions minimized across the value chain and all material flows traceable. It guarantees adherence to all sustainability criteria mandated by RED III. As part of verification, greenhouse gas emissions are validated according to the GHG Protocol.

Politically, this certification unlocks significant application for secondary raw materials, converting problematic waste into a resource supporting decarbonisation goals. Pyrum demonstrates a scalable European model integrating waste management, resource recovery and energy generation.

Economically, the timing is critical as Pyrum expands capacity. Access to regulated biofuel markets strengthens commercial resilience by lessening reliance on traditional recyclate markets. This diversification enhances financial predictability during a phase where securing capacity and scaling operations are paramount.

Pascal Klein, CEO, Pyrum Innovations AG, said, “ISCC EU certification is more than a formal achievement for us. It provides access to a regulated market environment that is central to Europe’s decarbonisation strategy. At the same time, it strengthens the resilience of our commercialisation strategy as we expand capacity and reduces our dependency on individual recyclate markets.”

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The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) forecasts total US tyre shipments of 338.9 million units in 2026, up from 336.3 million units in 2025 and 332.7 million units in 2019. This figure beats the previous record of 337.3 million units in 2024.

Compared with 2025, Original Equipment (OE) the 2026 shipments for passenger, light truck and truck tyres are expected to change by 0.8 percent, 1.2 percent and 8.3 percent, respectively, with a total increase of 0.8 million units. Replacement passenger, light truck and truck tyre shipments are also projected to change by 0.6 percent, 0.8 percent and 0.2 percent, respectively, with a total increase of 1.7 million units.

 (Note: All shipments in millions. Figures are rounded up.)

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The construction industry witnessed a significant milestone in materials innovation at the recent World of Concrete 2026 exhibition. The newest addition to Bekaert's renowned Dramix steel fibre family, the Dramix Loop, has been distinguished with the prestigious Industry Choice Award in the 'Concrete Slab Materials' category. This accolade, determined by the direct votes of industry professionals including engineers, contractors and key decision-makers engaged in construction projects, is a testament to the product's resonance with those who have hands-on experience in the field.

The recognition at World of Concrete 2026 marks a notable achievement for Bekaert, as it underscores the growing industry support for circular solutions in construction. The Dramix Loop, designed to align with sustainable development goals, stood out among a competitive field of innovators all striving towards a more environmentally responsible future. The award serves as a powerful indicator that circular economy principles are not only gaining traction but are also being embraced by the wider construction community as viable and valuable approaches to modern building challenges.

This latest honour represents another significant step forward in the journey of the Dramix Loop steel fibres. The acknowledgment from peers and professionals highlights the importance of innovation that genuinely moves the construction industry forward. Bekaert has expressed its appreciation to all those who participated in the voting process, acknowledging their role in supporting this advancement. Furthermore, gratitude was extended to the organisers of the World of Concrete for their continued dedication to showcasing and celebrating groundbreaking developments that shape the future of construction materials and techniques.

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