PIRELLI, PYRUM, SYNTHOS AND BASF PARTNER TO TRANSFORM END-OF-LIFE AND SCRAP
TYRES INTO RECYCLED MATERIALS FOR NEW PRODUCTS
"Tyre-to-tyre" project launched in Europe, coordinated by Pirelli, to advance
circularity and reduce reliance on virgin 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 draws on end of life tyres collected across Germany, from some
Driver retail outlets and motorsport activities, as well as scrap tyres
collected from Pirelli's Breuberg plant. They are processed through an
industrial chain designed to maximize their inner value, converting them into
secondary raw materials - including synthetic rubber - certified under the ISCC
PLUS scheme. This ensures traceability along the value chain and enables the
circular materials' reintroduction into the manufacturing of new Pirelli tyres,
maintaining their highest standards of quality and performance.
Within this process, Pyrum converts end of life and scrap tyres through a
pyrolysis process - a high-temperature thermal decomposition of materials in the
absence of oxygen - into two valuable secondary raw materials: recovered carbon
black (rCB) and tyre pyrolysis oil (TPO). The recovered carbon black is upgraded
in quality and directly reintroduced into Pirelli's European production,
partially replacing virgin carbon black.
At the same time, the TPO is supplied to BASF, where it is co-fed with
fossil-based feedstock into the production process of chemical products such as
butadiene and styrene. A mass balance approach enables attributing the recycled
content to the ISCC PLUS-certified Ccycled® products. These circular materials
are then used by Synthos to produce ISCC PLUS certified synthetic rubber for
high-performance tire applications, which Pirelli reintroduces into its
production processes, closing the loop.
The project perfectly reflects that genuine product circularity cannot be
achieved by a single company acting alone. It requires creating industrial
ecosystems involving players with complementary expertise, each contributing to
different phases of the transformation process around a shared material loop.
Through collaboration and the combination of technological innovation, material
science, and certified processes, the partners, driven by Pirelli, build a
coordinated system in which materials are recovered, transformed and reused by
maximizing their inner 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 OneTM 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
At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. Our ambition: We want to
be the preferred chemical company to enable our customers' green transformation.
We combine economic success with environmental protection and social
responsibility. Around 95,000 employees in the BASF Group contribute to the
success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the
world. Our portfolio comprises, as core businesses, the segments Chemicals,
Materials, Industrial Solutions, and Nutrition & Care; our standalone businesses
are bundled in the segments Surface Technologies and Agricultural Solutions.
BASF generated sales of around EUR60 billion in 2025. BASF shares are traded on
the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts
(BASFY) in the United States. Further information at www.basf.com.
About Synthos
Synthos is the largest producer of synthetic rubber in Europe, the world's
leading producer of solution styrene-butadiene rubber (SSBR), and the leading
European producer of expanded polystyrene (EPS). Through its synthetic rubber
technologies and ISCC PLUS-certified solutions, Synthos supports tire
manufacturers in meeting demanding performance requirements while enabling the
use of certified circular feedstock routes. The company's portfolio includes
synthetic rubber, insulation materials, dispersions, adhesives, and crop
protection products. Synthos is part of the MS Galleon Group, owned by Michal
Solowow, 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, four research and development centres, and employs
around 3,600 people. Further information at www.synthosgroup.com.
Pirelli Media Contact
Tel. +39 02 6442 4270 - pressoffice@pirelli.com - www.pirelli.com
Pyrum Media Contact
Tel +49 221 9140 970 - presse@pyrum.net - www.pyrum.net
BASF Media Contact
Tel. +49 1525 6449978 - birgit.hellmann@basf.com - www.basf.com
Synthos Media Contact
Tel. +49 170 4547548 - marjolein.groeneweg@synthosgroup.com -
www.synthosgroup.com
49 1525 6449978 - birgit.hellmann@basf.com - www.basf.com \
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Synthos Media Contact \
Tel. +49 170 4547548 - marjolein.groeneweg@synthosgroup.com -\
www.synthosgroup.com \