Russia's tyre recycling industry has grown significantly in recent years due to increasing environmental concerns and government regulations aimed at reducing landfill waste. The country generates millions of tonnes of used tyres annually, with many initiatives focusing on recycling them into rubber granules, fuel and construction materials. Key players in the industry include local companies and a few foreign investments with major recycling plants concentrated around Moscow and other industrial regions.

However, the Russian Far Eastern region, referred to the vast, easternmost part of the country that borders the Pacific Ocean, still struggles to deal with the disposing of end-of-life (EOL) tyres.

According to Ecostar Factory Co-founder Sergei Lazarev, “Vladivostok, the largest city in Russia's Far East, ranks fifth in the country for vehicles per capita, making it the region's leader in vehicle density. This results in a growing volume of waste tyres annually, posing a significant environmental challenge. Due to the vast distances, transporting used tyres to recycling facilities in central Russia is prohibitively expensive, inflating both the recycling costs and the prices of products made from recycled materials. The lack of local recycling infrastructure exacerbates the problem, underscoring the need for regional solutions to manage tyre waste more efficiently and sustainably.”

“With 15 years of experience in tyre recycling, our company is well-positioned to meet the growing demand for tyre recycling in the Russian Far East. The new facility will allow us to recycle over 10,000 tonnes of ELT annually and meet market needs accurately. We also plan to double this capacity within the next five years, which is especially crucial in regions like the Russian Far East, where transportation costs are high and local recycling infrastructure is lacking. This expansion will help address regional tyre waste challenges more effectively,” he added.

A total of USD 500,000 was invested in the new tyre recycling unit, financed through a mix of 30 percent capital and 70 percent bank loans. The seven percent interest rate, subsidised by the Primorye Government Guarantee Fund and the Federal Government Fund for SMEs, highlights the strategic backing you’ve received. Specialising in recycling ELT tyres into rubber crumb, this setup not only aligns with growing sustainability efforts but also demonstrates the effectiveness of public-private cooperation in fostering business expansion and environmental impact in Russia’s Far East.

The Far East and Arctic Development Corporation (FEDC) played a crucial role in the tyre recycling project’s success by providing a 17.3-acre land lot and essential infrastructure. This included telecommunications, access roads, power supply, water supply, water disposal and natural gas supply. Additionally, FEDC offered tax benefits, making it a key partner in the project’s development, facilitating smoother operations and reducing overhead costs. This comprehensive support has been instrumental in advancing the project in the Russian Far East.

Promoting recycling

The company's operations, which focus on recycling ELT tyres without thermal methods like pyrolysis due to environmental concerns, were nearly derailed when the ruble-dollar exchange rate doubled in 2022, making equipment and construction prohibitively expensive.

Despite purchasing Chinese machinery, adjustments were needed due to differences in tyre composition, particularly the amount of cord fibre. The company plans to recycle 20 years’ worth of accumulated tyre waste and supply crumb rubber to playgrounds, stadiums and road projects, boasting the only facility in the region certified to meet government sanitary standards.

With no direct competitors in the Primorye region, the company remains committed to expanding operations despite these challenges.

Answering how the new plant supports broader recycling goals, Lazarev said, “The new plant supports the broader goals of the company by serving as a central hub for tyre recycling in the Russian Far East. We operate facilities in five regions including Magadan, Kamchatka, Sakhalin, Khabarovsk and Primorye and plan to upgrade them within the next three years to produce rubber chips, which will be transported to the main facility in Primorye for further processing. Additionally, we aim to invest in research and development to develop additives for bitumen, enhancing its use in road construction projects. This strategy is key to expanding recycling capabilities beyond 10,000 tonnes annually and promoting sustainable infrastructure development.”

The company will source tyre waste primarily from transportation and tyre service companies. To ensure quality, it has implemented a comprehensive management system designed to produce clean, precisely sized crumb rubber. The triple cleaning process removes metal and cord fibre, while its proprietary qualification system ensures four specific size fractions of crumb rubber are achieved.

Alluding to European Union (EU) directive on crumb rubber infill ban, he noted, “Regarding the EU ban on rubber crumb in artificial turf, Russia has no such restrictions. In fact, a recent Russian government act (08/28/2024) mandates the use of rubber crumb in sports infrastructure and road construction. We have also obtained a special health certificate allowing the use of its crumb rubber in outdoor playground construction.”

Addressing challenges

Russia imports tyres primarily from China, which is the largest supplier, offering a wide range of products including passenger, truck and industrial tyres. South Korea follows, known for its high-quality passenger and performance tyres, while Japan contributes advanced technology and speciality tyres. Belarus, as a neighbouring country, exports various tyre products, particularly for commercial vehicles. Turkey has also been increasing its market presence with competitive prices and quality. Additionally, some European Union countries export tyres to Russia, although trade dynamics are influenced by tariffs and geopolitical factors.

Such a wide array of tyres poses challenge for recyclers. Commenting on the same, the executive said, “The plant was initially scheduled to open in August 2023. The company faced significant challenges due to currency fluctuations, infrastructure delays and regulatory hurdles. Despite purchasing Chinese machinery, adjustments were needed due to differences in tyre composition between China and Japan, particularly the amount of cord fibre. The lack of suitable land with the necessary infrastructure and meeting strict ecological standards are further obstacles.”

“We are currently facing a staff shortage across all skill levels, from low-skilled to highly qualified personnel. To address this, we plan to recruit workers from other regions of Russia and internationally. Recently, we hired five individuals from India on one-year contracts, providing them with comprehensive benefits that include accommodation, food, transportation and work uniforms. We aim to attract even more skilled workers this year to strengthen our team,” he added.

Ecostar's plant aligns seamlessly with Russia's broader waste management and environmental objectives, particularly in the Far East. It supports the government's strategy for a circular economy, which is reinforced by new legislation regulating the use of recycled materials in the production of goods and services. Additionally, the government has introduced the concept of ‘green purchases’, mandating that government agencies and state-owned companies procure a minimum quantity of products made from recycled materials. This initiative emphasises the importance of integrating recycled materials into the economy, enhancing sustainability efforts across the region.

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KraussMaffei has appointed Xinting Ren as Managing Director of its extrusion business, effective 1 September, 2026, combining the role with his existing leadership of the group’s China operations.

Ren succeeds Ralf Benack, who left the company at his own request on 31^st August , ending a tenure of about two years.

The company said the dual appointment is intended to strengthen integration between its extrusion activities and international operations.

Ren has led KraussMaffei China for the past three years, overseeing cross-technology activities in the Chinese market. Before joining the group, he held several management roles in the chemical industry, including Assistant General Manager at KraussMaffei Company Limited, now operating as Sinochem Equipment Technology Qingdao Co., and most recently served as general manager of Shanxi China Coal Pingshuo Energy Chemical Co., Ltd.

Benack took over leadership of KraussMaffei Extrusion in 2024 and was responsible for the group’s global extrusion business. During his tenure, the company focused on operational processes and customer orientation, reducing delivery times and further developing the Technology Center at its Laatzen site.

The facility now offers 26 pilot lines for development and customer projects, and the company said it also expanded its extrusion technology portfolio.

From September, responsibility for the extrusion business and management of the China business will be combined under Ren’s leadership.

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Nokian Tyres plc has introduced a new premium summer tyre, the Powerproof E, designed for Central and Southern European markets, with A-class ratings in all three European Union tyre label categories across its full range.

The company said the tyre achieves top grades for rolling resistance, wet grip and external rolling noise, reflecting a development approach aimed at balancing efficiency, safety and comfort within a single product.

“Whether the priority is maximizing range and efficiency or achieving confidence and comfort in wet conditions, drivers should not have to compromise on safety. The new Nokian Tyres Powerproof E is designed to deliver outstanding performance in the areas that matter most to drivers,” said Tommi Alhola, Senior Vice-President for Passenger Car tyres in Central Europe.

Samu Lepistö, development manager at the company, added: “Achieving A-class ratings in all three EU tire label categories across the entire range is a significant result. These characteristics are all important to today's drivers yet improving one can often affect another. Nokian Tyres Powerproof E was developed to deliver balanced performance across all three areas.”

The tyre incorporates what the company calls Motion Control Technology, combining tread design, compound development and structural engineering to support efficiency and wet-weather performance.

Depending on size, between 40.9 percent and 42.8 percent of the tyre’s material content consists of recycled and renewable inputs, including rice husk ash, recycled carbon black and recycled steel.

Production takes place at the group’s factory in Oradea, Romania, which opened in 2024 and operates with zero direct carbon dioxide emissions, powered by renewable energy.

The Powerproof E is designed for passenger cars, sport utility vehicles and crossover vehicles, including electric, hybrid and internal combustion models. It will be available in sizes ranging from 16 to 20 inches for the 2027 summer season in Central and Southern Europe.

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Continental Tire Canada has appointed Frank Buntinx as its new Managing Director, effective 17 August 2026. In this executive capacity, he assumes comprehensive oversight of the organisation’s entire Canadian tyre portfolio, which encompasses passenger and light truck vehicles, commercial truck lines and specialised tyre segments. His leadership will guide the strategic direction and operational performance across these diverse business units.

A native of Belgium, Buntinx brings over two decades of tenure with Continental, having commenced his career there in 2003 within logistics and supply chain management. Over the years, he has accumulated a broad commercial skillset through successive roles in marketing, pricing strategy, business analytics, fleet operations and sales. His professional trajectory later elevated him to senior leadership positions in the Benelux region, where he directed marketing efforts and subsequently headed Fleet Solutions and Truck Tires, thereby acquiring multifaceted management expertise.

This transatlantic appointment signifies a pivotal career transition for Buntinx, offering him the chance to infuse the Canadian market with an international vantage point. His arrival is anticipated to bolster Continental’s regional presence, leveraging his extensive cross-functional background to navigate the complexities of the domestic tyre industry and drive organisational growth.

“I am truly excited to join Continental Tire Canada and begin this new chapter. Continental has built a strong business and reputation in the Canadian market, and I look forward to working alongside our talented team to build on that success, strengthening Continental's position while supporting the growth and success of our customers,” said Buntinx.

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Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd., which operates the Dunlop brand, will discontinue the supply of karting tyres by the end of 2027 as part of a strategic review of its business and allocation of management resources.

The company said it would continue supplying products to existing customers until December 31, 2027.

Dunlop has produced karting tyres since 1976, supplying products homologated by the Commission Internationale de Karting-FIA (CIK-FIA), under the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile, as well as tyres accredited by the Japan Automobile Federation.

The company said its products had supported a wide range of users, from recreational drivers to young drivers aiming to compete at higher levels, and had contributed to the development of karting participation.

It added that the decision followed a review of its medium- to long-term management strategy and changes in the business environment.

The group said it would continue to contribute to motorsport activities, while expressing appreciation to customers and organisations that had supported its karting tyre business.

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