Wastefront AS has partnered with Newcastle University to study the characterisation and enhancement of Wastefront’s recovered carbon black (rCB).

As one of the UK’s top universities and a world leader in sustainability, Newcastle University’s partnership with Wastefront will see cutting-edge industry innovation emerge from research conceived in the North of England – ensuring the region is at the forefront of progressing circularity across Europe.

The work is timely as Wastefront gears up to play a crucial role in eliminating the UK’s waste tyres export by creating a local, circular solution to a global problem. To prevent waste tyres from burning in cement kilns, Wastefront will use commercial operating technologies to convert end-of-life-tyres (ELTs) into useful commodities, including rCB.

The study will focus on rCB interaction with rubbers and its correlation with prospective industrial applications, directly supporting Wastefront’s efforts to enable the rCB it produces to be used in new products. The scope of work undertaken by Newcastle University over the next 18 months will:

1. Quantify the interaction of the rCB with a set of different solvents with varying degrees of dispersion interaction.

2. Develop methods to better understand the nature of the surface within the rCB material.

3. Investigate applications for the rCB in other materials.

Of significance, within this scope of work, the study will develop methods to reduce inorganic components in rCB, improving its chemical and material properties to ensure Wastefront produces a superior product compared with its rCB competitors. This will include identifying rCB reinforcement in rubber goods.

The team from Newcastle University undertaking the rCB study will be:

• Professor Katarina Novakovic – Principal Investigator, Reader in Polymer Engineering

• Professor Steve Bull – Co-Investigator, Cookson Group Chair of Engineering Materials

• Dr Deepashree Thumbarathy – Post-Doctoral Research Associate, Chemical Engineer

• Dr Tim Blackburn, Business Development Manager

Wastefront CTO, Henrik Selstam, comments:

“Circularity is central to the work Wastefront is undertaking to tackle the scourge of ELTs – and expanding our understanding of recovered carbon black is key to realising this goal. As we continue to grow, so too will the uses and capabilities of the products we produce – none more so than recovered carbon black.

“We are delighted to partner with Newcastle University to further advance the commercial capabilities of recovered carbon black through our joint studies. “Ensuring we can continue to implement our at-scale solution in the UK, Europe and Globally will require the input of leading experts in their fields, so we look forward to working closely with Professor Novakovic, Professor Bull, Dr Thumbarathy and Dr Blackburn in the months ahead.”

Newcastle University Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research Strategy and Resources, Professor Brian Walker, adds:

“At Newcastle University we are delighted to add this exciting partnership with Wastefront to our portfolio of research that advances sustainable innovation and the circular economy and enables progress towards a net-zero economy. We are especially pleased that Wastefront will promote inclusive economic growth here in the North East, with its roots in the local area and the construction of its new plant at the Port of Sunderland.“

 Wastefront uses pyrolytic reactors that utilise thermal depolymerisation known as ‘pyrolysis’ to break down a tyre’s materials at elevated temperatures. By sending tyres through these reactors, recovered carbon black (a substitute for virgin carbon black) is produced, in addition to combustible gas, liquid hydrocarbon, and heat. The carbon black is then washed and milled to upgrade the chemical properties and can be used as a complement to natural rubber in tyre production, mechanical rubber goods or as a filler for plastics.

Once fully operational in 2025, Wastefront’s £100 million tyre recycling plant in Sunderland will produce rCB from a supply of 20 percent of the UK’s yearly total of ELTs. By integrating Wastefront’s rCB into new tyres, the emissions for each tyre subsequently produced will be reduced by 80 percent.

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ARLANXEO has launched its ISCC PLUS-certified Keltan Eco rubber grades in India, responding to rising demand for sustainable materials in the world’s most populous nation.

The German-based performance elastomers manufacturer unveiled the portfolio through technical seminars and workshops, targeting automotive components, wires and cables applications where customers increasingly value environmental credentials.

The Keltan Eco range comprises Eco-B and Eco-BC grades derived from bio-based and bio-circular feedstocks, respectively, whilst maintaining identical physical and mechanical properties to conventional fossil fuel-based products. The materials offer resistance to oxygen, ozone, heat and radiation.

ARLANXEO employs a mass balance approach for certification, ensuring the volume of Eco-labelled products corresponds with sustainable source feedstock volumes. This methodology provides supply chain transparency and enables customers to verify sustainability claims in downstream applications.

“This new portfolio will help our customers seize sustainable growth opportunities in India and stay ahead amid industry transformation,” said Rupesh Shah, ARLANXEO India’s Managing Director and Regional Sales Head.

The company also showcased its Therban hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber speciality grades during the events, targeting original equipment manufacturers and component producers. Therban applications include air conditioning seals, timing belts, high-temperature gaskets for oil platforms and spacecraft components.

ARLANXEO operates as one of the world’s largest synthetic rubber producers with more than 10 production sites across eight countries and four research and development locations globally. The company serves automotive, tyre, electrical, construction and oil and gas sectors.

The Indian launch forms part of ARLANXEO’s broader strategy to expand sustainable product offerings across key growth markets. Additional ISCC PLUS-certified synthetic rubber grades will be introduced in India following the initial rollout.

India’s steady rubber consumption growth, driven by the automotive and infrastructure sectors, signals a significant opportunity for speciality chemical producers aiming for sustained market expansion. ARLANXEO is well-positioned to meet this demand, marking a decisive step toward a greener, more innovative rubber industry in India.

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Rathi Group, a leader in pyrolysis and end-of-life tyre (ELT) recycling, has achieved a significant milestone with its first export shipment of ISCC PLUS-certified pyrolysis oil. With over 12 years of industry expertise, the company continues to set benchmarks in sustainable recycling, innovation and circular economy practices.

This landmark export highlights Rathi Group’s ability to supply globally recognised, eco-friendly alternatives to conventional fossil fuels. The company’s integrated operations – spanning ELT shredding, continuous pyrolysis, carbon black recovery and oil distillation – adhere to stringent international sustainability standards.

The ISCC PLUS certification underscores Rathi Group’s commitment to environmental responsibility, supply chain transparency and climate-conscious solutions. The accomplishment reflects the efforts of its dedicated team and partners, reinforcing the company’s mission to drive impactful change in sustainable tyre recycling.

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Kraton Corporation, a global leader in speciality polymers and renewable biomaterials, has published its 2024 Sustainability Report, Innovating with Purpose. The report outlines the company’s advancements in climate action, circular product solutions and supply chain sustainability, reinforcing its commitment to a greener future.

Key achievements include a 41 percent reduction in Scope 1 & 2 emissions since 2014, a 35 percent decrease in emissions intensity and maintaining EcoVadis’ Platinum rating for the fourth straight year. Kraton also received the 2024 Nitto Supplier Sustainability Award and conducted a Double Materiality Assessment to refine its ESG strategy.

Operational milestones feature a USD 35 million upgrade to its Florida biorefinery, expanded lifecycle assessment (LCA) data covering 90 percent of its product portfolio and a new data excellence programme to enhance ESG transparency.

Aligned with GRI, SASB, UN Global Compact and TCFD frameworks, the report emphasises Kraton’s sustainability pillars: Reliable Partnerships, Planetary Stewardship and Empowering People. These efforts reflect the company’s dedication to responsible innovation and measurable environmental progress.

Marcello Boldrini, CEO, Kraton, said, “2024 marked a pivotal year in Kraton’s sustainability journey. We turned ambition into action, significantly reducing our Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 41 percent from our 2014 baseline and earned an EcoVadis Platinum rating for the fourth consecutive year. We accelerated our decarbonisation strategy, advanced biobased innovation and partnered with customers such as WJ Group and Henkel to help address global sustainability challenges. As demand for sustainable chemicals grows, our focus remains on developing the right solutions, fostering strong partnerships and cultivating the culture necessary to lead this transformation responsibly and competitively.”

Rogier Roelen, Chief Sustainability Officer, Kraton, said, “We have established new processes to scale credible, data-driven sustainability across our business. In 2024, we enhanced our ESG reporting through a data harmonisation programme and completed a Double Materiality Assessment to better align with the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). We also expanded our Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) data to cover almost 90 percent of our product portfolio, providing customers with greater transparency into the environmental impact of our products. These efforts reinforce our ability to identify where we can make the most impact and support more informed, strategic decision-making.”

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The German rubber industry is undergoing significant shifts, according to the German Rubber Industry Association (wdk) in its mid-2025 economic report. While order trends show improvement for the first time in years, domestic production continues to struggle, reflecting broader structural challenges.

High energy costs, excessive bureaucracy and rising labour expenses remain persistent hurdles, particularly for globally competitive firms. Although rising orders may boost annual sales slightly compared to 2024, domestic output is expected to decline by one percent. Many companies are relocating production abroad due to Germany’s worsening cost disadvantages.

The federal government’s ‘investment booster’ initiative has failed to inspire confidence, with only 27 percent of industry leaders anticipating positive effects. wdk President Michael Klein described this as an alarming sign, emphasising that businesses lack faith in current economic policies. He urged immediate relief measures rather than delayed solutions.

Klein also stressed the need for inclusive policymaking, criticising the government’s focus on large corporations while neglecting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). He warned that without targeted support for these critical players, Germany risks losing its status as a key industrial hub for the rubber sector. The call for urgent action highlights growing concerns over the industry’s future viability in the country.

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