U.S. Tire Recycling Market Analysis by Product (Crumb Rubber, Tire-Derived Fuel (TDF), Ground Rubber, Reclaimed Rubber, Whole Tire Applications, Other Recycled Tire Products), Process, Application and Sales Channel: Recycling Volume (Million Tons), Technology, Trends, Analysis and Forecast Till 2033

Market Overview

U.S. Tire Recycling Market recorded a volume of 4.67 million tons in 2024 and is estimated to reach a volume of 6.4 million tons by 2033 with a CAGR of 3.7% during the forecast period.
 

 
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) of 2021 has emerged as a key structural driver for the U.S. tire recycling market, particularly due to its emphasis on sustainability and circular economy practices, as well as its promotion of recycled materials in federally funded infrastructure projects. One of the most significant provisions of this legislation is its support for rubber-modified asphalt (RMA) in road construction and rehabilitation, which directly stimulates demand for recycled tire-derived products, such as crumb rubber.

With federal and state agencies benefiting from long-term funding certainty for highways, bridges, and transportation infrastructure, the integration of recycled rubber into asphalt mixes is receiving increased policy support, leading to greater material offtake from the U.S. tire recycling market. Rubber-modified asphalt provides measurable performance advantages, including enhanced durability, improved crack resistance, reduced road noise, and extended pavement life, making it an appealing choice for state Departments of Transportation (DOTs).

Furthermore, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law enhances these benefits by emphasizing resilient and climate-adaptive infrastructure, aligning technical performance objectives with sustainability mandates. Consequently, demand for crumb rubber sourced from end-of-life tires is projected to rise steadily, driving higher processing volumes through mechanical grinding, ambient grinding, and advanced recycling facilities within the U.S. tire recycling market.

Additionally, the policy landscape established by the BIL bolsters the economic viability of domestic tire recycling operations by decreasing reliance on landfilling and tire-derived fuel, while redirecting value creation towards higher-margin applications like asphalt modification and construction materials. This trend is expected to encourage investment in modern recycling technologies, capacity expansions, and regional processing infrastructure. In the medium to long term, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is anticipated to enhance market stability, improve end-market certainty for recycled rubber products, and solidify the position of the U.S. tire recycling market as a crucial facilitator of sustainable infrastructure development nationwide.

Pricing Analysis

The U.S. tire recycling market has undergone significant fluctuations in average pricing (USD per ton) from 2023 to 2033, influenced by changes in demand, processing costs, availability of feedstock, and trends in end-use applications. In 2023, average pricing began at around USD 180 per ton, buoyed by stable volumes and moderate utilization of processing capacity. As awareness in the industry grew and regulatory pressures intensified in 2024 and 2025, prices increased to USD 200 per ton and USD 230 per ton, respectively, due to heightened demand for recycled rubber products, particularly crumb rubber and tire-derived fuel (TDF). 
 

 
This upward trend continued into 2026, with prices reaching a peak of approximately USD 260 per ton, driven by the increasing adoption of recycled materials in construction, infrastructure projects, and new applications like sports surfaces and rubberized asphalt. In 2027 and 2028, the market maintained its strength, with prices climbing to USD 280 per ton. However, a temporary decline occurred, bringing prices down to USD 240 per ton in 2028 and further to USD 210 per ton in 2029. These reductions were primarily due to increased processing capacity, heightened competition among recyclers, and fluctuations in downstream demand, especially for commodity end uses such as TDF.

Nonetheless, as the U.S. tire recycling market began to recover and explore higher-value applications, average pricing stabilized and began to rebound from 2030 to 2033. By 2030, prices had returned to USD 230 per ton, ultimately reaching USD 270 per ton by 2033. This pricing trend highlights the market’s responsiveness to macroeconomic factors and changing application demands. In the later years of the forecast, it is expected that strategic investments in advanced recycling technologies, policy backing for recycled content mandates, and the expanded utilization of recycled rubber in infrastructure and industrial applications will be crucial for maintaining pricing resilience within the U.S. tire recycling market.

Segmental Analysis

The U.S. tire recycling market is characterized as a mature yet evolving sector within the broader waste management and circular materials economy. It is influenced by regulatory pressures, sustainability mandates, and an increase in the end-use applications for recycled tire products. Annually, millions of end-of-life tires are generated, positioning the market as a key player in diverting waste from landfills and creating value across the energy, construction, and manufacturing sectors. The current market structure exhibits a balanced combination of energy recovery and material reuse pathways, while product segmentation reveals both established and emerging demand trends.
 

 
Tire-Derived Fuel (TDF) holds a dominant position in the U.S. tire recycling market, capturing 45.00% of the total market share. This leadership is supported by long-standing demand from cement kilns, pulp and paper mills, and industrial boilers, where TDF is viewed as a cost-effective alternative to coal and other fossil fuels. Its consistent calorific value, coupled with compatibility across various infrastructures, solidifies TDF as a reliable outlet for substantial volumes of scrap tires. Nonetheless, increasing environmental scrutiny and emissions regulations are gradually prompting a shift toward higher-value material recovery solutions.

Crumb rubber constitutes the second-largest segment, accounting for 32.61% of the U.S. tire recycling market. The segment has experienced significant growth due to rising adoption in rubber-modified asphalt, sports surfaces, playgrounds, and molded rubber products. Federal and state infrastructure initiatives, including transportation funding programs, are further enhancing demand for crumb rubber in road construction, where it contributes to improved pavement durability, noise reduction, and lifecycle performance. As mandates for sustainability and recycled content expand, crumb rubber is projected to steadily increase its market share in the forecast period.

Reclaimed rubber comprises 7.10% of the market, primarily utilized in tire retreading, rubber compounding, and select industrial applications. It is valued for its cost savings and reduced dependence on virgin rubber; however, challenges related to quality consistency and processing limitations hinder broader adoption. Ground rubber, accounting for 6.09% of the market, is directed toward niche manufacturing applications such as mats, automotive components, and flexible rubber products, experiencing moderate demand growth but facing limitations in scalability.

Whole tire applications represent 5.11% of the market, encompassing civil engineering uses like embankments, erosion control, and landfill engineering. While these applications are environmentally advantageous, they are often restricted by regulatory approvals and project-specific demand. The remaining 4.09% includes other recycled tire products, such as pyrolysis-derived outputs and specialty construction materials, which signify an emerging yet strategically valuable segment.

In summary, the U.S. tire recycling market is undergoing a gradual transition from volume-driven disposal practices to value-driven material recovery. Crumb rubber and advanced recycling technologies are positioned to gain greater prominence as sustainability efforts, infrastructure investments, and circular economy objectives intensify.

The U.S. tire recycling market is evolving into a vital aspect of the country’s waste management and circular economy framework, effectively addressing high-volume disposal requirements alongside a growing demand for value-added material recovery. Analyzing application distribution reveals how recycled tire outputs are utilized across the energy, infrastructure, and manufacturing sectors, showcasing both established demand trends and new sustainability-driven applications.

Energy recovery represents the predominant segment of the market, accounting for 37.63% of total market share. This is largely due to the efficiency with which cement kilns and industrial boilers can utilize large quantities of scrap tires as a cost-effective alternative to fossil fuels. The logistics associated with tire-derived fuel (TDF), along with its predictable calorific value and compatibility with existing industrial systems, has solidified its status as a stabilizer in market volume. However, increasing pressure regarding emissions and decarbonization initiatives is prompting a gradual shift towards diversification beyond energy recovery methods.
 

 
Construction and infrastructure applications hold a 21.09% market share, fueled by the integration of recycled tires in civil engineering projects such as embankments, lightweight fill, drainage systems, and erosion control. These applications leverage the durability and flexibility of tire-derived materials while aligning with sustainability goals set by public-sector initiatives. Ongoing infrastructure investment programs at the federal and state levels are further driving the demand for recycled tire materials in long-lasting construction projects.

The segment focusing on road and asphalt modification, which represents 16.09% of the market, is recognized as a strategically significant area for growth. The incorporation of crumb rubber into asphalt improves pavement performance by enhancing crack resistance, minimizing noise, and extending service life. The increasing adoption of rubber-modified asphalt in both highway and urban road developments reinforces long-term demand, promoting a higher-value use of recycled tires.

Additionally, sports surfaces and playgrounds account for 10.90% of the market, demonstrating a consistent demand for crumb rubber in athletic tracks, playground flooring, and recreational surfaces. These applications prioritize safety, shock absorption, and durability, making them premium avenues for recycled tire materials. The rubber and plastics manufacturing sector, comprising 8.11%, utilizes ground and reclaimed rubber in molded goods, mats, and industrial components, which often present cost advantages over virgin materials.

Smaller but stable segments include automotive components at 4.09%, where recycled rubber is employed in non-critical parts, and consumer goods at 2.09%, which encompass flooring, landscaping products, and household items. In summary, the U.S. tire recycling market is gradually transitioning towards higher-value and performance-oriented applications, decreasing its reliance on energy recovery while reinforcing pathways for material reuse that align with sustainability and infrastructure priorities.

 
Company Analysis

Major companies analyzed within the U.S. tire recycling market are: Liberty Tire Recycling, Lakin Tire, Genan, Inc. (Genan Americas), Lehigh Technologies (a Michelin company), CRM Rubber Manufacturers, Entech, Inc., Others.