Tyres Europe has provided comments on the upcoming Circular Economy Act, calling for a framework that supports circularity, strengthens Europe’s industrial competitiveness and removes barriers to the use of secondary raw materials.

The European tyre industry plays an important role in advancing circularity, from the management of end-of-life tyres to the use of recycled and bio-based materials in new products. However, the sector still faces regulatory fragmentation, legal uncertainty, and insufficient end markets for recycled materials. These challenges limit the potential of circular solutions and affect the resilience of the European tyre value chain.

In our position paper, we call for EU-harmonised End-of-Waste criteria for all materials derived from end-of-life tyres, whether from mechanical or chemical recycling. This would support a genuine single market for secondary raw materials, reduce administrative burdens, and provide legal certainty for recyclers and downstream users.

We also underline the need for clearer tyre-specific definitions, including for used tyres, end-of-life tyres, recycled and bio-based materials, and chemical recycling.

Public procurement should also play a stronger role in creating demand for circular products, including retreaded tyres and tyre-derived materials used in road surfacing, flooring and building products.

With the Circular Economy Act, the EU has an opportunity to create the conditions for circular tyre products to scale up in Europe. Legal clarity, harmonised rules and stronger end markets will be essential to support sustainable resource management and reinforce Europe’s industrial resilience.

Read the full position paper below.