The pilot facility in Monterrey will initially convert 1 million end-of-life passenger tyres to recovered carbon black. Operations are slated to commence by the end of CY2024, while the company also has plans to add a second train in the future to double the capacity.

Northern Mexico has long struggled with the challenge of end-of-life tyre (ELT) disposal. Decades of improper waste management have led to an accumulation of over 20 million waste tyres, many of which are left in municipal dumpsites or landfills. These discarded tyres pose not only an environmental hazard but also a significant public health risk as they can become breeding grounds for mosquitoes and other disease-carrying pests.

Local governments have ramped up efforts to address this crisis, but the scale of the problem requires long-term, systemic solutions. Innovent Renewables’ new facility in Monterrey is poised to play a key role in this effort. The facility will transform waste tyres into valuable resources such as recovered carbon black and will help reduce landfill reliance, cut carbon emissions and provide a sustainable alternative to the traditional methods of carbon black production.

The pilot facility represents a significant milestone for the recycler as it sets out to address the growing environmental challenge of ELTs in the region. Initially slated to process 1 million waste passenger tyres annually, the facility will convert these tyres into high-quality recovered carbon black, oil and steel. With operations scheduled to begin by the end of calendar year 2024, the company is also looking ahead with plans to add a second processing train to double its capacity in the near future. This expansion marks a critical step in tackling the 20 million-plus tyres accumulated in Mexico’s northern areas while offering sustainable solutions for industries seeking to reduce their carbon footprints.

“This facility represents a vital step forward in addressing the enormous environmental burden posed by tyre waste in northern Mexico. We’re not only reducing waste but converting it into materials that industries can use in a circular and sustainable manner,” said Chief Executive Officer Vibhu Sharma.

Extracting value

The tyre recycling process based on pyrolysis begins with the shredding of end-of-life tyres, which are then fed into a main reactor where they undergo pyrolysis, a high-temperature process in the absence of oxygen.

This results in the breakdown of tyre material into pyrolysis gases, oil and recovered carbon black. The gases are recycled within the system for energy recovery or flared off, enhancing energy efficiency.

The pyrolysis oil is condensed and purified, followed by distillation into high-value chemicals for industrial applications. Meanwhile, recovered carbon black, a solid by-product, is processed through milling and polishing for reuse in manufacturing. This design demonstrates an energy-efficient method of converting waste tyres into valuable products such as fuel, chemicals and carbon black.

“Firstly, we have a proprietary continuous pyrolysis process that ramps up and cooks the tyres to decompose them in a particular way. We also use specially designed agitator to ensure uniform decomposition to oil and carbon black. This ensures higher surface area and quality of the RCB. We designed a proprietary polishing unit that crushes that RCB coming out of the reactor and then polishes it to remove metal oxides and silica. We have several equipment in place to capture steel particles in the RCB. The final product still has some amount of silica and metal oxides, but the purity and uniformity of the RCB is much higher,” said Sharma.

Addressing demand

As industries worldwide strive to meet decarbonisation goals, the demand for sustainable alternatives to carbon-intensive materials have surged. Recovered carbon black fits squarely into this trend, offering a viable option for companies looking to reduce environmental impact while maintaining performance characteristics.

Innovent Renewables’ order book reflects this growing interest. The company has secured letters-of-intent from several major tyre manufacturers as well as companies in the printing ink, rubber and paint sectors.

“Increasingly, companies are looking for sustainable solutions that allow them to reduce their carbon footprints without sacrificing the quality of the products. Our RCB gives them that opportunity. It’s a win-win for both industry and the environment,” said Sharma.

He added, “We see the Monterrey facility as just the beginning. As we prove the viability of our process and stabilise operations, we’ll be able to scale up production not just here in Mexico but potentially in other regions around the world that are dealing with tyre waste issues. There’s a huge global need for solutions like this.”

Sustainable vision

According to Sharma, the company’s goal is to provide a circular solution for industries that are serious about sustainability. “It’s not just about the recovered carbon black; we’re also helping companies reduce their reliance on virgin oil and steel by offering them high-quality, recycled alternatives. This allows them to achieve carbon credits and decarbonisation targets while contributing to a cleaner environment,” noted Sharma.

While tyres remain the primary focus, the company is already working to expand its applications into other industries by targeting sectors such as rubber gaskets, printing inks and paints to tap into new growth markets.

It is also finding ways to repurpose the other by-products of its pyrolysis process. The oil extracted from the tyres can be used as fuel or as a raw material for various industrial applications, while the recovered steel can be sold back to manufacturers, creating a fully circular model that maximises resource recovery and minimises waste.

“We’re proud to be part of the solution to one of Mexico’s most pressing environmental issues. But this is just the start. Our vision is to become a global leader in the circular economy, providing industries around the world with the materials they need to build a sustainable future,” Sharma concluded.

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Vipal Rubber has launched the VT290, a tread designed for truck drive axles used on motorways and paved roads, targeting regional and long-distance transport operations in Europe.

The product is available in widths of 240mm, 250mm, 260mm, 270mm and 280mm. It is designed to provide traction and stability on dry and wet roads, as well as in demanding conditions involving snow.

Frederico Schmidt, General Manager of Vipal EMEA, said, “The launch of the VT290 reinforces Vipal’s ongoing commitment to offering technologically advanced solutions suited to the specific characteristics of European roads and climate.” “We want to further consolidate our presence in the region, delivering a high value-added product that combines innovation, operational efficiency and safety,” he added.

The VT290 carries the M+S marking and 3PMSF certification. Its design includes side sipes and grooves intended to help remove snow and mud from the tread, improving grip on slippery surfaces.

The tread pattern is also designed to distribute engine torque more evenly, helping to reduce uneven wear. Tie bars between the tread blocks add structural stability, supporting vehicle control during driving.

Fabrício Nedeff, Commercial Manager of Vipal EMEA, said, “With the VT290, weare responding directly to the real needs of fleet operators and truck drivers, combining performance, adherence and efficiency in different driving conditions. [RS2.1]In addition to expanding options for our customers, the product strengthens business opportunities for our partners in the region,”

Vipal said the launch would expand its offering for retreaders, distributors and fleet operators in the European market.

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The Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) published its Monthly Natural Rubber Statistical Report for August 2026, noting firmer prices in several markets. Supply constraints, stable downstream demand and persistent geopolitical and macroeconomic uncertainty shaped the month. Renewed conflict and disruptions to major shipping routes added further pressure.

Physical prices for major grades moved in different directions. SMR-20 in Kuala Lumpur averaged USD 2.31 per kg, up 4.25 percent from July, while STR-20 in Bangkok rose 1.40 percent to USD 2.39 per kg. RSS-3 dropped 4.18 percent to USD 2.80 per kg, but RSS-4 in Kottayam gained 0.57 percent to USD 2.92 per kg. Latex-in-bulk fell 4.73 percent to USD 1.73 per kg. Brent crude averaged USD 91.08 per barrel, driven by concerns over possible restrictions on oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz and wider Middle East instability, which raised energy supply risks and strengthened the oil market risk premium.

On trade, China's imports climbed 3.39 percent month-on-month, while India fell 10.18 percent and Malaysia dropped 8.24 percent; Viet Nam rose 5.08 percent. Exports advanced 5.63 percent in Viet Nam but declined in Thailand (-5.24 percent), Indonesia (-5.36 percent), Malaysia (-1.48 percent) and Cambodia (-1.88 percent).

Global production is projected to rise 0.6 percent to 15.039 million tons in 2026 from 14.952 million tonnes in 2025, after revisions to Thailand's 2025 output and updated 2026 estimates for Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. Weather, including erratic rainfall and drier Southeast Asian conditions, affected output. August 2026 production was estimated at 1.396 million tonnes, down 4.51 percent from 1.462 million tonnes a year earlier. Demand is forecast to grow 0.4 percent to 15.356 million tonnes in 2026 from 15.301 million tonnes, with the largest consumption gains expected in China, Malaysia and Cambodia. Prospects depend on vehicle sales, tyre production, shipping conditions and weather-related supply disruptions, while steady EV-linked demand supported modest growth led by China and India. The ringgit traded between RM4.02 per USD and RM4.09 per USD, and the baht between 32.68 and 33.34. The SHFE January 2027 contract averaged 18,109 CNY per tonne, up 7.78 percent month-on-month, while the SGX November 2026 contract averaged USD 2.24 per kg, up 4.32 percent.

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Epsilon Carbon Pvt. Ltd., a global speciality carbon and carbon black manufacturer, has broadened its emissions accounting to include value chain impacts beyond its direct operations. The move advances measurement and management of Scope 3 emissions across its supply and distribution network, according to the company.

The initiative spans Epsilon Carbon’s integrated carbon complex in Vijayanagar, Karnataka. That site has a production capacity of 500,000 tonnes per annum of speciality carbon and 215,000 TPA of carbon black. It combines carbon manufacturing with energy circularity efforts in one integrated ecosystem. The company assessed material Scope 3 categories under GHG Protocol guidelines.

Scope 3 emissions are indirect and arise from purchased goods and services, transportation, business activities and downstream product use where relevant. The assessment gives Epsilon Carbon clearer visibility into emissions outside its direct control and a foundation for spotting reduction opportunities. It builds on existing operational emissions and energy efficiency work.

The company previously reported a 98 percent Scope 2 reduction against its baseline year. A 17 MW captive power plant uses waste heat from carbon black operations, energy consumption intensity fell 6 percent from baseline, and 77 percent of energy needs came from waste heat recovery, avoiding over 89,000 tonnes of CO₂. Epsilon Carbon now emphasises supplier engagement, data transparency and circularity, aligning disclosures with global sustainability frameworks to track value chain emissions consistently and develop measurable reduction initiatives.

Vikram Handa, Managing Director, Epsilon Carbon, said, “Meaningful climate action requires us to look beyond the boundaries of our operations and understand the impact of the entire value chain. Scope 3 measurement gives us greater visibility into the emissions and enables deeper engagement with our partners and suppliers. Building this visibility will help us make more informed decisions as we scale our operations and advance our decarbonization plans.”

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HS HYOSUNG has formalised a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the State Government of San Luis Potosí, with the signing taking place at the World Trade Center Mexico City. The event formed part of the Korea-Mexico Business Forum, held alongside the Korean economic delegation's visit to Mexico.

Attending officials included Marcelo Ebrard, Mexico's Secretary of Economy, and Mario García Valdez, Secretary of Economic Development of San Luis Potosí. The two sides confirmed their shared resolve to back the company's local investment and regional growth. Separately, HS HYOSUNG's leadership met bilaterally with Secretary Ebrard to elaborate on its strategic vision and investment plans.

The agreement sets out a phased expansion of HS HYOSUNG's investments in San Luis Potosí beginning in 2027, with the goal of creating a major advanced materials production hub that bolsters supply for North American and wider global markets. The company's advanced materials span tyre cord, a flagship world-leading product, along with mobility, energy, aerospace and defence applications. Its North American operations, spanning Mexico and the United States, turn out tyre cord, airbag materials and mobility interior components for global leaders such as General Motors and Goodyear, underpinned by a highly dependable global supply chain.

Nak-yang Sung, CEO, HS HYOSUNG ADVANCED MATERIALS, said, “This investment goes beyond establishing a simple manufacturing base – it reflects our strategy to turn Mexico into a pivotal hub connecting North America with global supply networks. We are also committed to strengthening local supply chains and creating high-quality jobs to contribute directly to the region's industrial ecosystem.”

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