“Tyre‑to‑tyre” project launched in Europe, coördinated by Pirelli, to advance circularity and reduce reliance on virgin raw materials
Objective: To promote the circular economy and reduce dependence on new raw materials
22 July 2026 – Pirelli, Pyrum, Synthos and BASF are jointly advancing a tyre-to-tyre circular economy initiative in Europe, driving the development of an industrial ecosystem designed to increase the use of recycled materials derived from end-of-life and scrap tyres.
The process utilises end-of-life tyres collected throughout Germany – including at some DRIVER branches and during motorsport events – as well as rejected tyres from the Pirelli plant in Breuberg. An industrial process chain, designed to maximise the material value of these tyres, processes them into secondary raw materials, including synthetic rubber. These are Certified to the ISCC PLUS standard. This ensures traceability throughout the value chain and enables recyclable materials to be returned to the production of new Pirelli tyres, whilst maintaining their highest standards of quality and performance.
In this process, it converts Pyrum Used tyres and rejected tyres are converted into two valuable secondary raw materials using pyrolysis – a process in which the materials are thermally decomposed at high temperatures in the absence of oxygen – as follows: recovered soot, including recovered carbon black (rCB) known as, and Tyre pyrolysis oil (tyre pyrolysis oil = TPO). Pyrum processes the recovered carbon black to a high standard and returns it directly to Pirelli’s European production facilities. There, it partially replaces new industrial carbon black.
At the same time, Pyrum supplies the TPO to BASF. There, it is fed into the production process for chemical products such as butadiene and styrene, alongside fossil-based raw materials. Using a mass balance approach, the proportion of recycled raw materials can be attributed to the ISCC PLUS-certified Ccycled® products. These circular materials are used by Synthos and subsequently used to produce ISCC PLUS-certified synthetic rubber for high-performance tyres. Pirelli reintegrates this rubber into its production processes, thereby closing the loop.
The project perfectly illustrates that a genuine circular economy for products cannot be achieved by a single company acting alone. Rather, it requires industrial ecosystems comprising partners who contribute complementary expertise and take on different phases of the transformation process within a shared material cycle. Through collaboration and a combination of technological innovation, materials science and certified processes, the partners – led by Pirelli – are creating a coördinated system. It sets out Materials recovered, recycled and reused, whilst maximising their intrinsic value.
The European tyre‑to‑tyre project represents the most comprehensive application of this approach to date, demonstrating how end‑of‑life tyres can become a valuable resource within a structured and traceable industrial loop.
About Pirelli
Established in Milan in 1872, Pirelli is a major player in the tyre industry and the only global manufacturer focused solely on the Consumer tyre market, which includes tyres for cars, motorcycles and bicycles. With a distinctive positioning in High Value tyres, the Group stands as a global brand known for its cutting-edge technology, high-end production excellence and passion for innovation that draws heavily on its Italian roots. Pirelli’s technological excellence is also nourished by the innovation and competencies derived from sporting competitions, in which it has been active for over 115 years. At present, the company participates in over 350 car and motorcycle sport events and since 2011 it has been the Global Tyre Partner to the Formula One™ World Championship.
About Pyrum
Pyrum Innovations AG has revolutionized the recycling market for end-of-life tires. Since 2008, the company has been developing an innovative thermolysis technology that enables end-of-life tires and plastics to be recycled with virtually no emissions. The process can recover high-quality products such as pyrolysis oil and recovered carbon black (rCB) which are used by renowned partners to manufacture new products. In this way, the company closes the material cycle and pursues a sustainable business model in line with climate targets. Prestigious certifications such as REACH and ISCC Plus prove the quality and sustainability of the products.
About BASF
BASF stands for chemistry for a sustainable future. Our ambition is to be the preferred chemical company, enabling our customers’ green transformation. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Around 95,000 employees across the BASF Group contribute to the success of our customers in almost every industry and in almost every country around the world. Our portfolio comprises the following core businesses: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions and Nutrition & Care; the standalone businesses are grouped into the Surface Technologies and Agricultural Solutions segments. In 2025, BASF generated global sales of around €60 billion. BASF shares are traded on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the USA. Further information is available at www.basf.com.
About Synthos
Synthos is Europe’s largest manufacturer of synthetic rubber, the world’s leading producer of solution styrene-butadiene rubber (SSBR) and Europe’s leading manufacturer of expanded polystyrene (EPS). With its synthetic rubber technologies and ISCC-PLUS-certified solutions, Synthos supports tyre manufacturers in meeting demanding performance requirements whilst enabling the use of certified circular raw material streams. The company’s portfolio includes synthetic rubber, insulation materials, dispersions, adhesives and plant protection products. Synthos is part of the MS Galleon Group, whose owner, Michał Sołowow, is one of Poland’s leading private investors and industrial entrepreneurs. The company has six production sites in Poland, Germany, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands and France, operates four research and development centres and employs around 3,600 people. Further information is available at www.synthosgroup.com.
Media contacts:
Pirelli
Phone: +39 02 6442 4270 – pressoffice@p irelli.com – www.pirelli.com
Pyrum
Phone: +49 221 9140 970 –presse@pyrum.net – www.pyrum.net
BASF
Phone: +49 1525 6449978 – birgit.hellmann@basf.com – www.basf.com
Synthos
Phone: +49 170 4547548 – marjolein.groeneweg@synthosgroup.com – www.synthosgroup.com
