Thanks to advanced recycling technologies and growing demand for sustainable solutions, used tires are being transformed into valuable second-life products that power industries, improve infrastructure, and fuel local economies.
At Traxion Materials, our Tire LifeCycle Network ensures used tires – ones that have reached the end of the road – are repurposed into high-demand applications that support a wide range of sectors across the economy.
Here are some of the most impactful second life uses currently trending for recycled tire materials:
Tire-Derived Fuel (TDF): A Cleaner Energy Source
Recycled tires are widely used as a fuel alternative in cement kilns, pulp and paper mills, and electric utilities.
Known as Tire-Derived Fuel (TDF), this energy source burns hotter and cleaner than coal, producing fewer harmful emissions while delivering the same, if not higher, energy output. Industries are increasingly turning to TDF as part of their commitment to reducing their carbon footprints.
Crumb Rubber: Lasting Strength & Safety
By grinding used tires into small, uniform granules, recyclers create crumb rubber, a versatile material that has transformed infrastructure and landscaping.
Crumb rubber is commonly used in applications including:
Rubberized Asphalt
- By blending crumb rubber into asphalt mixes, roads become more flexible and resistant to cracking. This means longer-lasting highways and reduced maintenance costs for municipalities. In addition, rubberized asphalt helps lower traffic noise, creating quieter, safer driving environments.
Playground Surfaces
- Recycled tire granules are transformed into soft, resilient playground surfaces that cushion falls and minimize injuries. Unlike traditional gravel or wood chips, rubberized surfaces don’t splinter, wash away, or require constant replenishment, making them a durable, low-maintenance, and sustainable solution for schools and parks.
Athletic Fields and Tracks
- Crumb rubber is widely used as infill for synthetic turf fields and as a base layer for running tracks. These applications provide shock absorption and resilience, helping athletes train and compete with less physical strain. The material also enhances weather resistance and longevity, ensuring that fields and tracks stay in play, no matter the season.
Consumer and Commercial Products
The second life of a tire doesn’t always involve industrial applications.
Recycled rubber finds its way into everyday products such as:
- Flooring tiles and mats (found in gyms, warehouses, and workshops)
- Garden mulch and landscaping materials
- Industrial hoses and manufacturing conveyor belts
- Molded rubber goods (i.e. construction cones)
- Eco-conscious footwear and fashion accessories
This shift demonstrates how Traxion’s Tire LifeCycle Network directly benefits and empowers the lifestyles of everyday consumers.
A Sustainable Future with Traxion
The days of tires piling up in landfills and stockpiles are over.
At Traxion Materials, our commitment to sustainability ensures that every tire we collect is reintegrated into the economy to empower existing and emerging industries. From powering factories to paving safer roads, recycled tires are proving that one product’s end of life can be the beginning of something greater.
Ready to make an impact? Discover how we’re giving used tires a second chance on our Recycling page.