European Recycling Benchmark Market

The level of end-of-life tire recycling in Germany marked a new record high last year, as reported by the German rubber manufacturers association (WDK).

Numbers recently published by WDK show that some 251 kilotons of end of life tires were processed into granulates and rubber crumbs in 2019, up 6% compared to the year before.

The secondary raw materials are used to manufacture technically high-quality products, a proof that “the recycling of used tires works,” said WDK technical director Stephan Rau in a 26 Aug statement.

The total amount of used tires in 2019 fell 2% year-on-year to 571 kilotons, which according to Rau, shows that a trend towards durable tires is continuing in the country.

“Although the registration figures for 2019 have risen noticeably - for example, there was an increase of 5% for passenger cars and as much as 6.2% for commercial vehicles - the number of used tires in Germany has fallen overall,” he added.

According to WDK, more than two-thirds of used tires (68%) are recycled in Germany and approximately 175,000 tons are used in the cement industry. However, the ‘ecologically and economically’ sound process has seen a sharp 10% decline over the last year, WDK added.

To read more about WDK and rubber industry developments in Germany visit ERJ.

Learn More:

• Tire Pyrolysis Technology & ELT Processing
  → https://kleanindustries.com/products/tire-pyrolysis/
• Recovered Carbon Black (rCB Solutions)
  → https://kleanindustries.com/products/recovered-carbon-black/
• Waste-to-Energy & Circular Economy Projects
  → https://kleanindustries.com/projects/
• Plastic & Rubber Recycling Technologies
  → https://kleanindustries.com/solutions/
• Global Recycling Policy & Market Insights
  → https://kleanindustries.com/insights/

Replicate World-Class Tyre Recycling Systems with Klean Industries

Germany’s success in tyre recycling demonstrates what is possible when policy, infrastructure, and market demand align.

With:

• Recycling rates exceeding 68% material recovery
• Overall recovery approaching 90%+ through combined reuse and energy recovery
• Over 600,000 tonnes of tyres processed annually

Germany has established one of the most advanced tyre recycling ecosystems in the world.

But even in leading markets, challenges remain:

• Feedstock traceability gaps
• Declining thermal recovery demand
• Untapped potential for higher-value material outputs

Klean Industries helps governments and investors go beyond recycling—into full circular value creation:

• Advanced tire pyrolysis systems producing fuels, recovered carbon black, and gas
• Integration with existing recycling infrastructure to upgrade outputs
• Development of high-value end markets for tyre-derived materials
• Proven expertise in scaling projects beyond legacy recycling models

As global markets seek to replicate Germany’s success, the next step is clear: move from recovery → to high-value resource conversion.

Contact Klean Industries to build your advanced tyre recycling system » GO.