Pirelli said the project supports a broader strategy involving additional facilities and industrial ecosystems designed to convert waste into recovered manufacturing inputs.
Pirelli North America launched its first internal closed-loop tire recycling initiative as part of a broader strategy to increase recycled and bio-based material use in tire production. The Tire Recycling Foundation recognized the project with a Circle of Change Award in the Value Chain Collaboration category.
Closed-Loop Tire Recycling Process
The tire recycling initiative focuses on recovering scrap tires generated during manufacturing operations in North America. Bolder Industries collects and processes the materials using pyrolysis technology.
The company converts the scrap tires into ISCC PLUS-certified BolderBlack recovered carbon black (rCB), which Pirelli reuses in North American tire production. Pirelli said the project supports a broader strategy involving additional facilities and industrial ecosystems designed to convert waste into recovered manufacturing inputs.
The company also said recovered carbon black can partially replace virgin carbon black in tire production.
Tire Recycling Foundation Recognition
The Tire Recycling Foundation’s Circle of Change Award recognizes organizations and individuals advancing tire recycling technologies and sustainability practices.
The award also highlights efforts to expand end-use markets and support circular economy principles.
“The Rome plant is one of the most technologically advanced manufacturing facilities in Pirelli,” said Claudio Zanardo, CEO of Pirelli North America. “This initiative reflects an approach focused on increasing the use of recovered materials within existing production processes. It is part of a broader effort to gradually integrate raw materials derived from recycled resources into our products while maintaining consistency in performance and quality.”
“Our collaboration demonstrates that a traceable, mass-balance approach to tire-to-tire circularity is not only achievable, but it’s ready to scale inside a premium manufacturing environment, meeting real performance and certification requirements at every step,” said Bolder Industries CEO Tony Wibbeler. “This is the kind of progress the industry has been working toward for many years.”
Circularity Targets
Pirelli said the tire recycling initiative supports the company’s broader circularity and sustainability objectives. By 2030, the company aims for more than 80% bio-based and recycled materials in its best products available on the market.
Pirelli also targets 40% bio-based and recycled materials across total production by 2030.
