This year's partner meeting of the ZARE initiative took place on March 18, 2026, in Schwenningen at the premises of our partner Reifen Draws. The venue was particularly significant this year: Reifen Draws is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026, thus providing the ideal setting for intensive exchange within the network.

The participants gathered for a get-together the evening before. In a relaxed atmosphere, they held initial conversations and discussed current developments in the industry.
The partner meeting focused on the current challenging market situation and key political developments. The partners reported a tense market environment with increasing price pressure and changing demand patterns. At the same time, current topics from their political work were addressed, including exchanges with ministries within the framework of the "NRW Round Table" and the inclusion of the topic of used tires in the state's circular economy strategy.
Another item on the agenda was the presentation of innovative technologies: Detection-X, a partner from the AZuR network, presented itself and gave insights into new approaches to tire damage detection, which are currently being tested as part of a pilot project.
A particular highlight of the meeting was the company tour at Reifen Draws. The participants gained a comprehensive insight into the processes and structures of a company that has been successfully operating in the market for five decades.

In addition to the professional exchange, joint activities for 2026 were also coordinated. These include, among other things, participation in the trade fair "The Tire Cologne" as well as the initiative's further political and communications work.
The partner meeting has once again demonstrated the importance of personal exchange for the further development of the ZARE initiative. Our special thanks go to our host, Reifen Draws, for the excellent organization and the open insights on the occasion of their 50th anniversary.