Bonn, April 14, 2025. This year's ZARE partner meeting took place at Danninger in Passau on April 2, 2025. A total of 17 participants from the circle of certified waste tire disposal companies came together to exchange ideas on current developments in the industry, discuss strategic topics, and formulate common goals. Most ZARE partner companies were represented – a clear sign of the high relevance and strong commitment within the network.
The previous evening, many participants took advantage of the informal get-together for intensive discussions. In a relaxed atmosphere, the current challenges and prospects of used tire disposal were discussed – including new legal frameworks, market changes, and the increasing importance of a functioning circular economy. The personal exchange among participants was highlighted by all participants as a significant added value.
The meeting's agenda was extensive and reflected the diversity of the network's activities. Among other things, new partner companies in the ZARE network were introduced, before key topics such as the ZARE commitment, political advocacy, and the further development of the inquiry portal were addressed. Technical and ecological issues were also in focus – particularly the recyclability of sealed and silent tires and the topic of exports to non-European countries.
Another focus was on planned events and public relations activities aimed at further raising public awareness of the importance of certified waste disposal. The network draws a consistently positive conclusion from its work: In its almost ten years of existence, ZARE has significantly increased the industry's visibility and provided important impetus for professional and sustainable waste tire disposal.
Nevertheless, it was also clearly stated that political and social efforts must continue to promote the collection and processing of used tires exclusively by certified waste disposal companies. These companies form the first, fundamental stage of the circular economy – their work plays a key role in determining whether used or worn-out tires can be recycled in a high-quality manner. Only if collection is carried out comprehensively and in a structured manner, and if used tires are sorted and sent to the various recycling channels, can retreaders and material and chemical recyclers in Europe operate efficiently and sustainably.
Particularly encouraging was the joint commitment of all ZARE partners present to the so-called ZARE Commitment: According to this, the partners voluntarily undertake not to export used tires to non-European countries. This clear signal for greater environmental and resource protection was expressly welcomed by all participants. Only if used tires are recycled within Europe can it be ensured that this occurs in compliance with European environmental and social standards.
At the end of the event, Reinhard Danninger Jr. presented the host company, Danninger, in a presentation and offered participants a tour of the facility. Many took the opportunity to gain first-hand insight into the modern waste disposal and recycling processes.
This meeting has once again shown that personal exchange not only strengthens cooperation within the network, but also brings the entire industry a step closer to sustainable, transparent and responsible waste tire disposal.
You can find more information about certified waste tire disposal and our partners at: https://zertifizierte-altreifenentsorger.de
About the ZARE initiative
The ZARE initiative is an amalgamation of 18 companies organized in the Federal Association of Tire Trade and Vulcanizing Trades (BRV), 17 of which are certified waste management companies. The ZARE partners have set themselves the task of raising awareness of professional tire recycling in Germany. ZARE informs drivers about the environmentally friendly disposal of used tires. At 29 locations, the ZARE partners cover almost all of Germany and the Netherlands.
The partners of the initiative are:
Allgemeine Gummiwertstoff und Reifenhandels GmbH, Bender Reifen Recycling GmbH, Containertransporte Wesseler GmbH, CVS Reifen GmbH, Danninger OHG Spezialtransporte, Erwin Welzenbach Spedition GmbH, G & K Recycling Utsch GmbH, Hartung Speditions-, Handels- und Transport GmbH, HRV GmbH, KARGRO BV, KRAIBURG Austria GmbH & Co. KG, KURZ Karkassenhandel GmbH, Mondo Reifenmarkt GmbH, MRH Mülsener Rohstoff- und Handelsgesellschaft mbH, Reifen DRAWS GmbH, Reifen Külshammer, Reifengruppe Ruhr, REIFEN OKA – Reifenhandel
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Image 1: zare-partner meeting_group photo
Caption 1: A strong sign of responsibility: The participants of the ZARE partner meeting on April 2, 2025 at Danninger in Passau.
Source: ZARE initiative
Image 2: danninger_special_transporte
Caption 2: Hosts with commitment: The Danninger family at the company headquarters in Fürstenzell.
Source: Danninger OHG Spezialtransporte
