Closed-Loop Tire Recycling

Pirelli North America has launched the group’s first closed-loop tire recycling initiative, turning scrap tires from its manufacturing process into recovered carbon black that goes back into new tires.

Tire-to-Tire Circularity at OEM Scale

Announced May 14, 2026, the initiative collects scrap tires generated during North American manufacturing and processes them by pyrolysis to produce ISCC PLUS-certified recovered carbon black. That material, marketed as BolderBlack, is then reused in Pirelli’s North American production of new tires, partially replacing virgin carbon black.

The program was recognized by the Tire Recycling Foundation with a Circle of Change Award in the Value Chain Collaboration category, as part of Pirelli’s broader strategy to increase the use of recycled and bio-based materials.

Why This Marks a Milestone for rCB

"Our collaboration demonstrates that a traceable, mass-balance approach to tire-to-tire circularity is not only achievable, but it’s ready to scale inside a premium manufacturing environment, meeting real performance and certification requirements at every step," said Bolder Industries CEO Tony Wibbeler.

A premium tire maker adopting recovered carbon black in mainstream production is a strong signal for the rCB market. It shows recovered material can meet the performance and certification demands of high-end tire manufacturing — the same circular pathway Klean enables through tire pyrolysis.

Toward More Recycled Content by 2030

The initiative is one example of Pirelli’s wider circularity push, which targets more than 80 percent bio-based and recycled materials in its best available products and 40 percent across total production by 2030.

"The Rome plant is one of the most technologically advanced manufacturing facilities in Pirelli," said Claudio Zanardo, CEO of Pirelli North America. "This initiative reflects an approach focused on increasing the use of recovered materials within existing production processes."

Learn More:

• Recovered Carbon Black Solutions
• Premium rCB Production Equipment
• Tire Pyrolysis Technology
• Feasibility Studies

Build Your Own Tire-to-Tire Circular Economy

Pirelli’s closed-loop initiative shows what recovered carbon black can do at premium-OEM scale. Klean Industries supplies the tire pyrolysis systems that make tire-to-tire circularity possible, recovering rCB and pyrolysis oil from end-of-life tires.

Why Choose Klean Industries’ Recovered Carbon Black Systems?

✅ Tire pyrolysis producing recovered carbon black and pyrolysis oil.
✅ Proven technology through a KBR strategic alliance.
✅ Feasibility studies to de-risk your circular-economy project.
✅ A circular-economy pathway from end-of-life tires to new tires.

Looking to launch your own closed-loop tire recycling?

Contact Klean Industries about closed-loop tire recycling » GO.