The global tyre recycling market is forecast to grow to USD 8.92 billion by 2029 from USD 7.44 billion in 2024, driven by mounting volumes of end-of-life tyres (ELTs), tighter environmental regulations and rising demand for sustainable materials, according to research firm MarketsandMarkets.

The market is projected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.7 percent over the period, the report said.

According to the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, one passenger tyre per person is discarded annually in the developed world, contributing to about 1 billion ELTs globally each year. A 2022 study in ScienceDirect estimated some 4 billion ELTs are already stockpiled worldwide, a figure expected to reach 5 billion by 2030.

“The mass piling of 1 billion ELTs per year to be expected to reach 5 billion by 2030 calls for an ever-increasing process of recycling tyes in a more sustainable means of waste management,” the report noted.

MarketsandMarkets said demand is being spurred by both environmental concerns and industry adoption of new recycling technologies aimed at reducing landfill volumes while maximising material reuse.

Rubber is set to remain the most dominant recycled by-product, with applications in crumb rubber, rubberised asphalt, playground surfaces and sports fields. Mechanical shredding, described as the most cost-effective and scalable method, will continue to lead recycling processes due to its wide applicability in construction, energy and automotive sectors.

Construction is expected to be the largest end-use industry, as recycled materials such as crumb rubber are increasingly used in road building and green infrastructure projects.

Asia-Pacific is projected to remain the biggest consumer of recycled tye products during the forecast period.

Key players in the sector include Liberty Tye Recycling (US), GENAN HOLDING A/S (Denmark), ResourceCo (Australia), GRP Ltd (India), Lehigh Technologies (US), Entech Inc (US), Emanuel Tye (US), BDS Tye Recycling (US), Contec (Poland) and CRM (US).

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Hankook Tire has completed a significant expansion of its European manufacturing facility in Rácalmás, Hungary, marking the company's first production of truck and bus tyres on the continent. The new line, representing an investment of EUR 540 million, is scheduled to commence operations in October and has been configured to deliver more than 800,000 units annually. The first pre-production tyre from these facilities was officially unveiled at the ongoing IAA Transportation exhibition.

Previously, Hankook supplied European commercial vehicle customers exclusively from plants in Korea and China. The Hungarian line substantially reduces delivery distances, strengthening supply reliability and cutting lead times. Logistics-related carbon dioxide emissions also decline as lengthy transport routes from Asia are partially eliminated. Europe represents roughly 45 percent of Hankook's worldwide sales, making it a critical market for the tyre maker.

The Rácalmás site has received approximately EUR 856 million across three earlier expansion phases since 2007, with the third stage finishing in spring 2015. It now produces as many as 17 million tyres yearly for passenger cars, SUVs and light commercial vehicles. The fourth phase added the truck and bus tyre line and has seen around 66,000 square metres of production and support buildings constructed since 2024. More than 450 local jobs are being created. Globally, Hankook operates eight plants with capacity for up to 100 million tyres annually and employs about 20,000 people.

Designed as a highly automated facility, the new line relies on automated logistics systems, autonomous guided vehicles and real-time tracking to manage material flow and warehousing, while automated testing ensures consistent quality. Sustainability guided planning and operation through energy-efficient systems, optimised supply infrastructure and modern process controls that lower energy and water use. The plant earned ISCC PLUS certification in 2023. Production will initially centre on 22.5-inch truck and bus tyres, gradually broadening as capacity and approvals allow.

Jongho Park, President and COO, Hankook Tire Europe, said, “The expansion of our European production plant with a new line for truck and bus tyres is yet another key milestone for Hankook in Europe. The central location of the facilities in Hungary and their proximity to the core European markets is a key locational advantage. It will enable us to supply our European customers with premium commercial vehicle tyres even more reliably and quickly, and to respond to their needs with the greatest possible flexibility.”

Ho Taek Lim, Vice President and Managing Director of the plant in Rácalmás, said, “This expansion project was one of the largest industrial development projects ever undertaken at the site in Hungary. The new truck and bus tyre production facilities will transform the plant into a comprehensive production site of significantly greater complexity and with a higher level of automation.”

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Continental has expanded its global ultra-high-performance tyre portfolio, covering sizes 18 inches and above, over five years and plans further growth. By late 2027, it will add over 650 new sizes across all lines for original equipment and replacement markets. This responds to demand for tyres suited to larger, heavier, more powerful and electrified vehicles, supporting profitable growth.

UHP tyres for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles now matter more to Continental and its customers. From 2020 to 2025, their share of global passenger-car tyre sales across all brands rose from 41 to 55 percent. Asia-Pacific leads at 70 percent, the Americas at 66 percent and EMEA at 43 percent. For the Continental brand, the share grew from about 49 to 62 percent.

The trend towards larger tyres links to vehicle market shifts. Cars are becoming bigger, heavier and more powerful, with SUVs increasingly common. Electric mobility is another weight driver, since batteries add considerable mass. Modern drivetrains also produce torque once associated only with high-performance sports cars. These changes demand more from tyres, which must support heavier loads while ensuring safety, efficiency and comfort.

UHP tyres combine high grip, short braking distances and precise handling with low rolling resistance and high mileage. Continental develops them mainly for wheel-and-tyre combinations of 18 inches and above, performance SUVs, premium sedans, sports cars and high-performance electric vehicles. It is expanding this range across major markets, adding over 650 sizes by the end of 2027, including secondary brands such as Semperit and Uniroyal.

This reflects growing vehicle market diversification, as manufacturers offer more variants and need tyres tailored to differing performance, efficiency and comfort requirements. UHP tyres must meet conflicting demands, balancing grip, braking, handling, rolling resistance, comfort and mileage, with rubber compounds playing a central role. Continental relies on simulations, laboratory analyses, bench tests and driving tests across varied conditions, with the High Performance Technology Center in Korbach driving manufacturing advances applied globally, where UHP tyres up to 24 inches are made.

Testing occurs at the Contidrom near Hannover, Arvidsjaur in Sweden and Uvalde in Texas, focusing on braking, handling, high-speed capability, comfort and durability. Collaboration with tuners ABT Sportsline and BRABUS, plus motorsport input through Hoosier, further advances development. The SportContact 7 exemplifies the segment, available from 18 to 24 inches and approved by Audi, BMW, BYD, Maserati, Mercedes-Benz, Polestar, Porsche, Volkswagen and Zeekr, ranking top three in 27 of 29 international tests.

Edwin Goudswaard, head of Research and Development for Continental’s Tires group sector, said, “With our expanded UHP portfolio, we are responding directly to the increasing demands of modern vehicles. This enables us to offer our customers around the world even more tailored solutions for safety, efficiency and driving dynamics. As modern tyres become larger, heavier and more powerful, tyres are becoming even more critical. They are no longer simply the vehicle’s connection to the road, but a key prerequisite for safety, efficiency and driving dynamics. The UHP segment clearly demonstrates how capable modern tyres need to be. The art lies in combining conflicting requirements at the highest level, and that is precisely what sets our tyres apart.”

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The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. has announced that a car equipped with its ADVAN flagship tyres claimed overall victory at the 2026 Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS) Round 8 in Germany on 12 September. The ADVAN racing tyres delivered the grip and durability required to succeed in the demanding endurance event.

The winning entry was the No. 77 BMW M Motorsport car, fielded by Schubert Motorsport. It started from the front row, took the lead early and stayed with the front-runners throughout. After moving back ahead on lap 24, it resisted heavy pressure from closely pursuing rivals and crossed the line just 0.308 seconds clear of the second-place finisher.

This season marks the first collaboration between Yokohama Rubber and BMW M Motorsport in almost 40 years. The No. 77 BMW M4 GT3 EVO, featuring ADVAN’s ‘Red in Black’ livery, has been consistently competitive, winning Rounds 3 and 8 while finishing second in Rounds 6 and 7.

Following Round 9 on 13 September, the car leads the NLS Speed Trophy standings, awarded for the most points across all classes. The ‘Red in Black’ entry will seek to secure the trophy and the series title in October’s final round.

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FALKEN has launched its ‘Falken says fill up!’ promotion for 2026, marking the start of its established seasonal campaign. Running from 15 September to 30 November, buyers of four winter or all-season tyres sized 16 inches or above, excluding HGV tyres, can receive a reward worth EUR 20. The initiative operates across 14 European markets, including Germany, Italy, Poland, Switzerland and the Czech Republic, among others.

In Germany, participants may select either an Aral SuperCard or EnBW mobility+ charging credit. Beyond this immediate reward, FALKEN has partnered with ZEG to offer additional prizes. One BULLS Copperhead EVO AM 2 e-trail bike, valued at EUR 4,999 and three BULLS Machete RX 1 carbon gravel bikes, each worth EUR 1,999, will be given away.

The campaign highlights three tyres from FALKEN’s current range. The EUROALL SEASON AS220 suits drivers seeking year-round flexibility, offering reliable handling, efficiency and wet-road grip for regions with changeable weather. For winter, FALKEN recommends the EUROWINTER HS02 and HS02 PRO, both engineered for grip and stability on wet, cold and snowy roads. The HS02 delivers balanced winter performance, while the HS02 PRO targets drivers preferring precise, dynamic handling in cold conditions.

Retail partners also benefit from the promotion, which combines an instant reward, a high-value prize draw and a strong product assortment. These elements provide useful talking points for customer relations and stimulate purchasing at the outset of the winter tyre season.

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