The new EU Waste Shipment Regulation (2024/1157) ushers in a new era for used tire recycling in Europe. Starting in May 2026, an export ban on non-hazardous waste – including used tires – to non-OECD countries will apply unless they demonstrably meet the strict EU environmental standards. This measure will have far-reaching effects on the used tire industry – and, according to the Allianz Zukunft Reifen (AZuR), opens up great opportunities for a sustainable circular economy in Germany and Europe.
800.000 tons will remain in Europe
Up to 800.000 tons of used tires, which were previously exported primarily to India or Morocco, will remain in the EU in the future. This creates new potential for material and chemical recycling under controlled conditions. In Germany in particular, over 100.000 tons of used tires could be recycled annually – a huge boost for strengthening the domestic recycling industry.
Tailwind for innovative recycling technologies
With the increased volume of used tires in Europe, opportunities for modern recycling processes are also increasing. Thermolytic technologies make it possible to extract valuable secondary raw materials such as oil (TPO) or carbon black (rCB) from used tires – and do so with high climate compatibility. AZuR sees this as a key opportunity to accelerate the transformation toward resource-efficient and climate-friendly mobility.
More transparency and planning security
The new EU regulation not only introduces stricter requirements but also provides greater clarity along the entire supply chain. Strict documentation requirements will apply to exports to non-OECD countries. Countries must apply for approval by February 2025; every importing company will also undergo an independent audit. Reporting and monitoring requirements will also apply to exports to OECD countries, such as Turkey.
An industrial policy signal
The Allianz Zukunft Reifen expressly welcomes the new regulation: "Finally, it is possible to recycle previously exported materials under European environmental standards while simultaneously strengthening the domestic recycling industry," explains Christina Guth, coordinator of the AZuR network. The clear regulation creates fair competition and promotes investment in sustainable recycling technologies.
ZARE agrees with this assessment: The export ban on used tires is not only an environmental policy milestone, but also a signal for industrial policy. It offers a unique opportunity to position Europe as a pioneer of a functioning circular economy in the tire sector – sustainable, transparent, and future-proof.
Source: AZuR network
Read the AZuR press release here!
