Six Development and Demonstration Projects Seek to Increase the Reuse, Retreading, and Recycling of Waste Tires Generated in the Empire State
Empire State Development today announced a $2.36 million investment in six technology research projects that will increase the reuse, retreading, and recycling of end-of-life tires generated in New York State. ESD’s investment includes $1.4 million in state funding through the NYS Waste Tire Program, which is managed by the REMADE Institute®. REMADE was selected to develop and administer the program in 2025 on behalf of ESD.
ESD President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, "New York is turning an environmental challenge into an economic opportunity. Through the NYS Waste Tire Program and our partnership with REMADE, we are supporting innovative technologies that reuse, remanufacture and recycle waste tires—advancing circular economy solutions while helping grow New York’s clean technology and advanced manufacturing sectors.”
REMADE CEO Nabil Nasr said, "These projects seek to not only address the challenges associated with these waste tires, but to develop innovative technologies to increase their reuse, remanufacturing and recycling and creating economic value to New York State. The NYS Waste Tire Program is a major step in the right direction and has the potential to be an example for other states to follow. With this program and more, the Empire State is quickly emerging as a Circular Economy leader here in the United States."
Approximately 18 to 20 million waste tires are generated in New York State every year, according to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The NYS Waste Tire Program is a local example of the global effort to advance the circular economy — a system that promotes a “make-use-reuse-remanufacture-recycle” lifecycle for products and materials instead of the traditional linear “take-make-dispose” model. Conserving resources like rubber and tires through reuse, retreading, and recycling is a key part of this transition.
The six waste tire recycling projects were selected by REMADE through the Institute’s formal merit review process in concurrence with ESD. A Request for Proposals was issued in September, and proposals were due in November. All proposals were required to have a New York State-based partner as the source of waste tires within the state.
The six tire research projects are:
|
Project Title |
Partners |
Total Investment Amount |
NYS State Funding |
| Physics Based Machine Learning Models to Estimate the Remaining Life of Commercial Vehicle Tires for Increased Retreading | Michelin North America, Northwestern University Pitt Ohio Supply Chain |
$345,124 |
$250,000 |
| TireVision: AI-Driven Feedstock Intelligence for End-of-Life Tire Processing | Fusion One, LLC, S&M Tire Recycling |
$529,570 |
$250,000 |
| Advancing Matrix Tire Rubber Devulcanization Technology: Exploration of Catalysts, Odor/VOC Control & Product Refinement/Applications Development for Ancora™ and Ennova™ Rubber Modified Olefins | Prism Worldwide |
$461,556 |
$250,000 |
| Novel Use of Automation for Mass Manufacturing of Recycled Crumb Rubber Products | Tire Conversion Technologies, Rochester Institute of Technology Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Hart Tool Company |
$328,739 |
$250,000 |
| Ultrasonic Devulcanization of Waste Tire Rubbers for Injection Molded Construction Products | The University of Akron, Rubberform Recycled Products, LLC |
$500,219 |
$250,000 |
| Production of Cargo Trailer Floor Mats to Protect the Wood Floors in Cargo Transport Trailers | Liberty Tire Recycling, Prism Worldwide Michigan Tool Works L&J Manufacturing Services Abrasive Waterjet of Indiana |
$201,900 |
$162,000 |
For more information about REMADE and the NYS Waste Tire Program, click here.
About Empire State Development
Empire State Development is New York's chief economic development agency, and promotes business growth, job creation, and greater economic opportunity throughout the state. With offices in each of the state's 10 regions, ESD oversees the Regional Economic Development Councils, supports broadband equity through the ConnectALL office, and is growing the workforce of tomorrow through the Office of Strategic Workforce Development. The agency engages with emerging and next generation industries like clean energy and semiconductor manufacturing looking to grow in New York State, operates a network of assistance centers to help small businesses grow and succeed, and promotes the state's world class tourism destinations through I LOVE NY. For more information, please visit esd.ny.gov, and connect with ESD on LinkedIn, Facebook, and X.
About REMADE®:
In partnership with industry, academia, trade organizations, national labs, and federal and state agencies, REMADE® has invested nearly $100 million in research and development — including advanced design, manufacturing materials optimization, remanufacturing, and materials recovery — to develop technologies that increase the supply of critical and key materials, enhance U.S. manufacturing competitiveness, strengthen domestic supply chain resilience, grow the U.S. economy, and expand the American workforce. For more information, go to www.remadeinstitute.org.