Pirelli, Pyrum, Synthos, and BASF Partner to Transform End-of-Life Tires into Recycled Materials, Advancing Circular Economy

July 26, 2026

Tyrepress International Partnership

Overview

Pirelli, Pyrum, Synthos, and BASF have announced a partnership to transform end-of-life tires into recycled materials for new products. This collaboration aims to achieve product circularity by converting scrap tires through a pyrolysis process into recovered carbon black (rCB) and tire pyrolysis oil (TPO), which are then reused in new product manufacturing, including ISCC PLUS-certified synthetic rubber. This initiative drives sustainability goals within the tire industry.

In Depth

Key Findings

Leading tire manufacturer Pirelli, recycling technology company Pyrum Innovations, synthetic rubber producer Synthos, and chemical giant BASF have forged a strategic partnership to revolutionize end-of-life tires into recycled materials for new products. This alliance is specifically designed to achieve product circularity and significantly enhance sustainability within the tire industry.

Technical / Clinical Details

At the core of this partnership is Pyrum Innovations’ advanced pyrolysis process. This technology converts recovered end-of-life and scrap tires by heating them in an oxygen-free environment, yielding two valuable secondary raw materials: recovered carbon black (rCB) and tire pyrolysis oil (TPO). rCB can directly replace virgin carbon black in the production of new tires, while TPO serves as a crucial feedstock for Synthos and BASF to produce monomers required for synthetic rubber manufacturing. Notably, the synthetic rubber produced through this partnership is certified under the ISCC PLUS (International Sustainability & Carbon Certification PLUS) scheme, ensuring it meets stringent sustainable supply chain standards. This process significantly reduces reliance on virgin resources in tire manufacturing and contributes to a reduction in CO2 emissions.

Background & Context

The automotive industry is under increasing pressure to transition towards a circular economy, driven by stricter environmental regulations and growing consumer awareness of sustainability. Tires, with billions discarded globally each year, present a substantial environmental challenge in terms of disposal and recycling. Traditional tire recycling methods have often been limited by issues of quality and cost. Pyrolysis technology has emerged as a promising method for recovering valuable secondary raw materials from used tires, but its commercialization and large-scale deployment require collaboration across the entire supply chain. This partnership involving key players from different segments—Pirelli, Pyrum, Synthos, and BASF—serves as a powerful model for resolving these challenges and implementing industrial-scale circular solutions.

Strategic Significance & Outlook

This strategic partnership marks a significant milestone towards achieving a circular economy in the tire industry. The effective reuse of rCB and TPO in new tires and chemical products will lead to substantial advancements in resource efficiency and reduction of environmental impact. The ISCC PLUS certification ensures the sustainability credentials of this initiative and can serve as a benchmark for other companies. In the future, this model is expected to inspire similar circular solutions in other industrial sectors, promoting broader sustainable material management. This collaboration stands out as a compelling example of industrial cooperation dedicated to building a sustainable future.

Source: https://www.basf.com/global/en/media/news-releases/2026/07/p-26-137

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