TIA and USTMA found Tire Recycling Foundation

Across the Atlantic, the Tire Industry Association (TIA) and the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) have formed the Tire Recycling Foundation, which the partners describe as “a collaborative initiative aimed at fostering sustainable and circular market solutions for end-of-life tyres”.

The unveiling of the Tire Recycling Foundation took place at the 2024 OTR Tire Conference, where John Sheerin, director of end-of-life tyre programs at USTMA, joined Dick Gust, CEO of TIA, on stage to make the debut.

John Sheerin, speaking at the podium, emphasized the foundation’s mission to “expand sustainable and circular market solutions for scrap tyres through research, development of innovative technologies, and enhanced collaboration across the tyre value chain.”

The formation of the Tire Recycling Foundation stems from industry consultations, including a three-day listening session organized by the Tire Industry Project in 2021. the foundation’s board of directors, comprising representatives from tyre manufacturers, distributors, retailers, collectors, recyclers, and tyre-derived product producers, will convene for its inaugural meeting in March 2024.

Dick Gust explained the pivotal role of the Foundation in navigating evolving regulatory landscapes and advancing sustainable practices across the tyre industry.

“As tyre retailers, dealers, retreaders, and recyclers, you are at the forefront of managing end-of-life tyres,” said Dick Gust. ”

Central to the Foundation’s goal is the ambition to achieve 100 per cent recycling of end-of-life tyres in sustainable markets. Through strategic partnerships, fundraising initiatives, and targeted interventions, the foundation aims to “catalyze the transition towards a profitable and self-sustaining tyre recycling ecosystem.”