The Reclaimed Rubber Market is to Touch $2.7 billion by 2030; Innovative Applications in Civil Engineering and Devulcanization for Enhanced Material Quality Propels Market Growth.

The Reclaimed Rubber Market size is estimated to reach $2.7 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 10.6% during the forecast period 2024-2030, according to a recent report published by IndustryARC, titled, “Reclaimed Rubber Market – By Type (Whole Tire Reclaim (WTR), Butyl Reclaim, Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer, Drab & Colored, and others), By Application (Tire (Inner Liner, Tire Treads & Retreads, Inner Tubes, Tire Side Walls, Tire Plies and others), Non-Tire (Conveyor Belts, Molded Goods, Adhesives, Footwear, Matting, Profiles, Roofing, Cement, and others)), By End Use Industry (Automotive (Passenger Cars, Light Commercial Vehicles, Heavy Commercial Vehicles), Aerospace, Footwear, Consumer Goods, Sports, Building & Construction, Medical and others), By Geography - Global Opportunity Analysis & Industry Forecast, 2024-2030”

Innovative applications in civil engineering and devulcanization for enhanced material quality are fueling the growth of the Reclaimed Rubber industry during the forecast period.

North America holds the largest share of the global reclaimed rubber market. This demand is primarily driven by high rubber tire consumption across various industries, including automotive, aviation, construction, and electronics. The rise of electric vehicles is significantly boosting tire demand, while the establishment of manufacturing bases in Mexico enhances the market dynamics for reclaimed rubber. Environmental concerns and initiatives promoting sustainability further fuel the region's commitment to recycling, positioning North America as a leader in reclaimed rubber utilization and driving innovation within the sector. 

The reclaimed rubber market is increasingly finding innovative applications in civil engineering, particularly through Rubber Modified Asphalt (RMA). This material combines crumb rubber with traditional asphalt to enhance flexibility and elasticity, allowing pavements to withstand temperature fluctuations and traffic loads without cracking. RMA not only improves the durability of road surfaces but also aligns with sustainability goals by repurposing waste tires, thus mitigating environmental impacts associated with tire disposal. Additionally, RMA exhibits heightened resistance to aging and oxidation, making it a valuable solution for modern infrastructure needs.

Devulcanization is a cutting-edge process that reprocesses tire rubber, significantly enhancing its quality for reuse. This method allows reclaimed rubber to be blended into compounds for less safety-critical components of new tires or used in general rubber goods such as conveyor belts and automotive parts. Moreover, devulcanized rubber serves as an effective modifier in asphalt, outperforming granulated rubber by improving abrasion resistance and thermal stability. The growing interest in devulcanization reflects a shift towards achieving circular economy objectives within the rubber industry, promoting sustainable practices while addressing material quality challenges.

 

• In September 2022, Ecore International, a prominent rubber recycling firm headquartered in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, unveiled intentions to allocate USD 25.5 million for the establishment of a production and recycling plant in Ozark, Alabama. The facility aims to produce flooring and surfacing items utilizing reclaimed rubber sourced from recycled vehicle tires. 

• In April 2023, Ecore International, recognized as the largest recycler of reclaimed tire rubber across North America, completed the acquisition of 360 Tire Recycling Group, a leading tire recycling management enterprise in the industry. This strategic partnership bolsters Ecore's capacity to gather tires and buffing while streamlining the procurement of raw materials essential for developing the company's innovative flooring and surfacing merchandise.

Key companies profiled in the Reclaimed Rubber Market are SABIC, BASF SE, 3M, Sumitomo Chemicals, Covestro AG, Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corp., LyondellBasell Industries N.V., Evonik Industries AG, Mapei SpA, Ashland, Inc., Star Polymers Inc., and others.