Each year, between 280,000 and 350,000 tons of tires enter the Polish market. While the country has the capacity to recycle the entire volume, only a portion is actually processed, with the rest often disappearing from the system—some ending up in illegal landfills or incinerated in cement kilns. However, momentum is growing for more sustainable solutions like material and chemical recycling, particularly through pyrolysis, which transforms used tires into valuable materials such as recovered carbon black, pyrolysis oil, and steel.
A Growing Challenge—and a Missed Opportunity
According to the latest report by the Polish Tire Recyclers Association (PSRO), titled “A History That Goes Full Circle”, Poland generates up to 350,000 tons of used tires annually. Despite PSRO members having a combined recycling capacity of 400,000 tons, a significant number of tires still go unaccounted for each year. Around 50,000 tons are burned in cement kilns, an option that not only wastes reusable material but also contributes to CO₂ emissions.
“Recycling tires is nothing new in Europe, and we’re doing relatively well. But in Poland, far too many still end up in cement plants as fuel—something we fundamentally disagree with,” says Krzysztof Wróblewski, CEO of Contec. “Tire manufacturers are under growing pressure to meet ESG goals, and they need access to sustainable raw materials. That’s why they support us in designing products that can be reused in their supply chains.”
Poland Lags Behind the EU
The report reveals Poland has the lowest effective tire recycling and recovery rate in the European Union and the highest number of unmanaged tires. Between 2019 and 2021, the country’s actual recovery rate dropped from 79% to 74.7%, and its recycling rate from 47% to 44.5%.
Polish law requires companies that place tires on the market to recover at least 75% of the weight introduced in the previous year, with 15% of that needing to be recycled materially. However, PSRO argues that these thresholds are neither economically nor technically justified—and should be raised.
“Far fewer tires are being processed in a circular way than we’d like to see,” adds Wróblewski. “We’re planning to open a new facility and supporting others in mechanical recycling. While Europe isn’t far ahead either—especially in chemical recycling due to its early-stage status—I’m pleased that our competitors are investing too. This helps educate the market and push for a circular economy.”
Material Recovery: Steel, Rubber, and Textiles
Material recycling is steadily rising in Poland. This involves shredding tires into small pieces to recover three main components: steel, textiles, and rubber granulate. The steel is cleaned and remelted for reuse in various industries. The textile fibers, meanwhile, are used to reinforce concrete, improving its resistance to cracking. Rubber granulate finds widespread use in transportation infrastructure, such as in asphalt surfaces, where it improves durability and grip.
Chemical Recycling and the Power of Pyrolysis
Contec employs its proprietary Molten pyrolysis technology—a process of oxygen-free thermal decomposition—to extract high-value materials from used tires. This yields three primary resources:
- Recovered carbon black (rCB): A pigment and filler used in tire and plastic manufacturing
- Pyrolysis oil: A feedstock for the chemical industry
- Steel: Recycled from tire structures
About 85% of each tire processed at Contec is turned back into usable raw materials, most of which can re-enter the tire manufacturing cycle. The remaining 15% is converted into energy for internal operations—eliminating the need for additional non-renewable energy sources, aside from green electricity.
“In some parts of Europe, where access to cheap renewable energy is better, chemical and mechanical recycling have a lower carbon footprint. But I believe Poland is a leader in this space. We have several outstanding players doing excellent work, and Contec is proud to be one of them,” says Wróblewski.
A Unique Global Solution
Contec’s Molten technology is globally unique. It uses a liquid salt mixture to heat the reactor in which pyrolysis takes place, enhancing the process’s efficiency and environmental sustainability. In February, Contec signed a major deal with Orion, a global leader in carbon black production. Contec will supply Orion with pyrolysis oil, which will be converted into high-quality circular carbon black for tire manufacturers.
“There’s no better example of a circular economy,” says Wróblewski. “From a once hard-to-dispose waste product—once destined for incineration—we now recover raw materials that go right back into tire production. Together with Orion, we convert steel and pyrolysis oil into top-grade recovered carbon black, already suitable for sidewall use in tires.”
Conclusion: From Waste to Value
Poland stands at a crucial juncture. While it currently trails its European peers in tire recycling efficiency, technological innovation and growing industry pressure are creating the conditions for rapid improvement. With leaders like Contec pioneering scalable pyrolysis solutions and industry partners demanding sustainable materials, the shift toward a circular economy in tire recycling is not only possible—but increasingly necessary.
For policymakers, raising recovery and recycling targets could accelerate this shift. For companies and investors, supporting innovation in circular technologies may unlock both environmental and economic value. And for consumers, it’s a reminder that even the most everyday objects—like a worn-out tire—can play a part in building a cleaner, smarter future.
