Global Recovered Carbon Black Market - 2025-2032

Recovered Carbon Black Market Overview

Global Recovered Carbon Black Market reached US$ 2,349.73 million in 2024 and is expected to reach US$ 3,714.90 million by 2032, growing with a CAGR of 6.06% during the forecast period 2025-2032.

The global recovered carbon black (rCB) market is steadily gaining traction as industries intensify their focus on sustainability and cost optimization. Recovered from end-of-life tires through pyrolysis, rCB is a sustainable alternative to virgin carbon black used in tires, non-tire rubber products, plastics, coatings, and inks.

For instance, Michelin has pledged to incorporate 40% recycled and sustainable materials in its new tire production by 2030, with a target of reaching 100% by 2050.

While the industry has traditionally faced a slow-paced integration of rCB often taking a decade or more to develop or adapt products the pressure to meet these ambitious sustainability goals is now accelerating the adoption of rCB as a viable alternative to virgin carbon black. This shift highlights how long-term environmental targets are reshaping material sourcing strategies across the rubber and automotive sectors. With increasing government regulations on waste tire disposal, soaring demand from automotive and industrial sectors, and rising environmental awareness, the market is projected to expand at a strong pace in the coming years..

Recovered Carbon Black Market Trend

The recovered carbon black (rCB) market is witnessing a series of transformative trends driven by sustainability goals, technological innovation, and evolving supply chain demands. One prominent trend is the increasing integration of rCB into high-performance applications, especially in the tire industry. Major tire manufacturers such as Continental and Michelin are incorporating rCB into commercial products Continental, for instance, now uses rCB in its Super Elastic solid tires, part of its broader initiative to achieve 100% sustainable materials by 2050.

Similarly, Michelin has partnered with Enviro to develop scalable rCB solutions from end-of-life tires. In addition, advancements in pyrolysis and post-treatment technologies are enabling the production of rCB grades with better dispersion, lower polyaromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) content, and improved performance, making it a more attractive substitute for virgin carbon black.

Recovered Carbon Black Market Dynamics

Rising Volume of End-of-Life Tires (ELTs)

The rising volume of End-of-Life Tires (ELTs) is one of the primary drivers of the recovered carbon black (rCB) market, as it offers both an environmental challenge and an industrial opportunity. For instance, Globally, the tire industry manufactures approximately 2.5 billion tires annually, out of which around 1.6 billion tires reach end-of-life each year, contributing to a substantial volume of waste. In the US alone, about 285 million scrap tires are generated annually.

A significant portion of these discarded tires end up in landfills or are improperly stockpiled, posing serious environmental and public health risks, including fire hazards, and groundwater contamination. Similarly, in the US, where over 290 million tires are scrapped annually, various states have enacted landfill bans and incentives for tire recycling, boosting the market for pyrolysis-based recovery systems.

In Europe, regulations under the EU End-of-Life Vehicles Directive mandate that 95% of vehicle materials including tires must be reused or recovered, which has led to the growth of advanced rCB producers like Scandinavian Enviro Systems and Black Bear Carbon B.V.. Thus, the growing stockpile of ELTs, coupled with regulatory mandates and sustainability targets, is fueling the global demand for rCB.

Inconsistent Quality and Performance

One of the major restraints hindering the growth of the recovered carbon black (rCB) market is the inconsistent quality and performance of the material compared to virgin carbon black. rCB obtained through pyrolysis of end-of-life tires often exhibits variability in particle size, structure, surface area, and ash content, which affects its reinforcing properties and limits its application in high-performance products such as premium tires, automotive components, and technical rubber goods.

This inconsistency creates challenges in product formulation, repeatability, and quality control for manufacturers, especially in industries with strict performance specifications. For instance, global tire manufacturers like Goodyear and Bridgestone have been cautious in adopting rCB at scale due to concerns over batch-to-batch variability, which can impact tire durability and safety.

Recovered Carbon Black Market Segment Analysis

The global recovered carbon black market is segmented based on source, application and region.

Recovered Carbon Black Gains Traction in Tire Manufacturing

The tires segment plays a pivotal role in driving the recovered carbon black (rCB) market, as it remains the largest and most consistent end-use application for both virgin and recovered carbon black. Carbon black typically accounts for 20–30% of a tire’s weight, serving as a crucial reinforcing filler that enhances durability, UV resistance, and performance.

With the tire industry under increasing pressure to reduce environmental impact and incorporate circular materials, rCB is gaining significant traction as a sustainable alternative to virgin carbon black. Several leading tire manufacturers are actively integrating rCB into their production processes.

For instance, Michelin, in collaboration with Scandinavian Enviro Systems, is working to scale the industrial use of rCB with the goal of achieving 40% sustainable materials by 2030 and 100% by 2050 in their tires. Similarly, Continental AG has partnered with Bolder Industries to incorporate rCB into select tire lines, further validating its performance and commercial viability. The automotive sector's shift toward electric vehicles (EVs) and green mobility has also boosted demand for sustainable materials in tire production, making rCB increasingly relevant.

Recovered Carbon Black Market Geographical Share

Tire Boom and Sustainability Drive rCB Growth in Asia-Pacific

Asia-Pacific region dominates the recovered carbon black (rCB) market, driven by its massive tire production capacity, growing automotive sector, and increasing emphasis on sustainable manufacturing. Countries like China, India, Japan, and South Korea are among the world’s largest tire producers and consumers, generating a vast volume of end-of-life tires (ELTs) that serve as raw material for rCB.

For instance, according to the latest data from the National Bureau of Statistics, China produced 105.56 million rubber tires in December 2024, marking a 9.5% year-on-year increase. For the full year 2024, total rubber tire production reached 1.186 billion units, up 9.2% compared to the previous year. This strong growth underscores the robust expansion of China's tire manufacturing sector, driven by increased production capacity and ongoing improvements in manufacturing efficiency.

Sustainability Analysis

The rising pressure to adopt sustainable materials and circular economy practices is a significant driver for the recovered carbon black (rCB) market, as industries across the globe face mounting environmental, regulatory, and consumer-driven demands to reduce carbon emissions and waste.

Traditional carbon black production from fossil fuels is highly carbon-intensive, emitting approximately 2.5 kg of CO₂ per kg of product, contributing significantly to industrial carbon footprints.

In contrast, using rCB can reduce these emissions by up to 80–85%, making it an attractive alternative for companies pursuing net-zero targets. Leading tire manufacturers are at the forefront of this shift. In 2023, Continental is intensifying its efforts toward a circular economy by incorporating recovered carbon black (rCB) into its newly manufactured Super Elastic solid tires at its Korbach tire plant in Germany. This move helps reduce reliance on fossil-based raw materials and lowers CO₂ emissions.

Recovered Carbon Black Market Major Players

The major global players in the market include Scandinavian Enviro Systems AB, Black Bear Carbon, Klean Industries, Hi-Green Carbon Ltd, ECO Infinic Co., Ltd, Alpha Carbone, Pyrum Innovations, Green Distillation Technologies, Neuman & Esser Group (NEA), EcoCarbon Innovations and among others.


1. Methodology and Scope
1.1. Research Methodology
1.2. Research Objective and Scope of the Report
2. Definition and Overview
3. Executive Summary
3.1. Snippet by Source
3.2. Snippet by Application
3.3. Snippet by Region
4. Dynamics
4.1. Impacting Factors
4.1.1. Drivers
4.1.1.1. Rising Volume of End-of-Life Tires (ELTs)
4.1.2. Restraints
4.1.2.1. Inconsistent Quality and Performance
4.1.3. Opportunity
4.1.4. Impact Analysis
5. Industry Analysis
5.1. Porter's Five Force Analysis
5.2. Supply Chain Analysis
5.3. Pricing Analysis
5.4. Regulatory and Compliance Analysis
5.5. Sustainability Analysis
5.6. DMI Opinion
6. By Source
6.1. Introduction
6.1.1. Market Size Analysis and Y-o-Y Growth Analysis (%), By Source
6.1.2. Market Attractiveness Index, By Source
6.2. End-of-Life Tires (ELTs)*
6.2.1. Introduction
6.2.2. Market Size Analysis and Y-o-Y Growth Analysis (%)
6.3. Rubber Scraps
6.4. Others
7. By Application
7.1. Introduction
7.1.1. Market Size Analysis and Y-o-Y Growth Analysis (%), By Application
7.1.2. Market Attractiveness Index, By Application
7.2. Batteries*
7.2.1. Introduction
7.2.2. Market Size Analysis and Y-o-Y Growth Analysis (%)
7.3. Automotive
7.4. Tires
7.5. Plastics
7.6. Electronics
7.7. Others
8. By Region
8.1. Introduction
8.1.1. Market Size Analysis and Y-o-Y Growth Analysis (%), By Region
8.1.2. Market Attractiveness Index, By Region
8.2. North America
8.2.1. Introduction
8.2.2. Key Region-Specific Dynamics
8.2.3. Market Size Analysis and Y-o-Y Growth Analysis (%), By Source
8.2.4. Market Size Analysis and Y-o-Y Growth Analysis (%), By Application
8.2.5. Market Size Analysis and Y-o-Y Growth Analysis (%), By Country
8.2.5.1. US
8.2.5.2. Canada
8.2.5.3. Mexico
8.3. Europe
8.3.1. Introduction
8.3.2. Key Region-Specific Dynamics
8.3.3. Market Size Analysis and Y-o-Y Growth Analysis (%), By Source
8.3.4. Market Size Analysis and Y-o-Y Growth Analysis (%), By Application
8.3.5. Market Size Analysis and Y-o-Y Growth Analysis (%), By Country
8.3.5.1. Germany
8.3.5.2. UK
8.3.5.3. France
8.3.5.4. Italy
8.3.5.5. Spain
8.3.5.6. Rest of Europe
8.4. South America
8.4.1. Introduction
8.4.2. Key Region-Specific Dynamics
8.4.3. Market Size Analysis and Y-o-Y Growth Analysis (%), By Source
8.4.4. Market Size Analysis and Y-o-Y Growth Analysis (%), By Application
8.4.5. Market Size Analysis and Y-o-Y Growth Analysis (%), By Country
8.4.5.1. Brazil
8.4.5.2. Argentina
8.4.5.3. Rest of South America
8.5. Asia-Pacific
8.5.1. Introduction
8.5.2. Key Region-Specific Dynamics
8.5.3. Market Size Analysis and Y-o-Y Growth Analysis (%), By Source
8.5.4. Market Size Analysis and Y-o-Y Growth Analysis (%), By Application
8.5.5. Market Size Analysis and Y-o-Y Growth Analysis (%), By Country
8.5.5.1. China
8.5.5.2. India
8.5.5.3. Japan
8.5.5.4. Australia
8.5.5.5. Rest of Asia-Pacific
8.6. Middle East and Africa
8.6.1. Introduction
8.6.2. Key Region-Specific Dynamics
8.6.3. Market Size Analysis and Y-o-Y Growth Analysis (%), By Source
8.6.4. Market Size Analysis and Y-o-Y Growth Analysis (%), By Application
9. Competitive Landscape
9.1. Competitive Scenario
9.2. Market Positioning/Share Analysis
9.3. Mergers and Acquisitions Analysis
10. Company Profiles
10.1. Scandinavian Enviro Systems AB*
10.1.1. Company Overview
10.1.2. Product Portfolio and Description
10.1.3. Financial Overview
10.1.4. Key Developments
10.2. Black Bear Carbon
10.3. Klean Industries
10.4. Hi-Green Carbon Ltd
10.5. ECO Infinic Co., Ltd
10.6. Alpha Carbone
10.7. Pyrum Innovations
10.8. Green Distillation Technologies
10.9. Neuman & Esser Group (NEA)
10.10. EcoCarbon Innovations (*LIST NOT EXHAUSTIVE)
11. Appendix
11.1. About Us and Services
11.2. Contact Us

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