Europe generated 4.4 million tonnes of used tires in 2025, essentially flat on 2024. In Western Europe, at least half of end-of-life tires are reported as exported outside the EU, while new production-scale pyrolysis plants are planned and the rules on exports and waste could change.
The figures come from Tire Recovery & Recycling in Europe, 2032, a subscription service Astutus Research launched this month. It covers 20 European markets, with a closer focus on 15 in Western Europe, and forecasts used tire volumes to 2032.
Replacement Generates 92% of Used Tire Volume
Tire replacement accounted for 4.1 million tonnes of the 2025 total. Vehicle scrappage contributed the remaining 0.3 million tonnes. By segment:
- Passenger car and light truck (PCLT) tires: 2.8 million tonnes, close to two-thirds of the total
- Truck and bus radial (TBR) tires: 1.2 million tonnes
- Specialty tires: 0.4 million tonnes
Replacement rates fell in each of three recent periods of economic stress (the financial crisis, the euro-zone crisis and the cost-of-living crisis), and each was typically followed by a pay-back phase. Electric vehicles are adding used tire tonnage per mile as their share of total mileage grows. Greater vehicle weight and higher torque can accelerate wear, and larger, heavier tires generate more material at each replacement.
Central Europe Accounts for Most of the Net Growth
Western Europe generated 3.6 million tonnes of used tires in 2025 and Central Europe 0.8 million tonnes. Central Europe now contributes the majority of net growth.
Five markets account for 60% of the European total:
- Germany: 640,000 tonnes
- UK: 580,000 tonnes
- France: 555,000 tonnes
- Italy: 525,000 tonnes
- Spain: 380,000 tonnes
Greece, Bulgaria and Spain grew fastest on 2024. The Netherlands, France and the UK declined.
One in Nine Used Passenger Tires Returns to the Road
Western Europe generated 84% of Europe's used PCLT tires in 2025 and Central Europe 16%. Of that volume, 11% was re-used as part-worn or retreaded tires. The UK is the largest re-use market, with an estimated five million part-worn tires fitted each year, including imports.
Half of Western Europe's End-of-Life Tires Leave the EU
Reported exports of used and waste tires from Western Europe, including the UK, Norway and Switzerland, reached 1.7 million tonnes in 2025. These figures exclude trade within Europe. The UK and France are the largest exporters, followed by Italy, and exports from France, Italy and Germany have grown rapidly since 2019. The main destinations in 2025 were India, Türkiye and Morocco.
At least 1.6 million tonnes of waste tires, around 51%, are reported as exported outside the EU from Western European countries. The true total is likely higher, because some exports are misdeclared. Once retreaded and part-worn tires are recovered, Western Europe produced 3.15 million tonnes of end-of-life tires in 2024.
Producer Responsibility Covers Around Half the Volume
Around half of Western Europe's end-of-life tires were covered by producer responsibility schemes in 2023. On a 2025 estimate, almost 40% arise in countries without producer responsibility, including Germany and the UK. Ireland extended its scheme to truck, agricultural and off-the-road tires from January 2025.
Rising regulatory pressure and traceability requirements increase cost, risk and uncertainty for management models that depend on exports. Potential changes to export and waste regulations, alongside new production-scale pyrolysis capacity, could intensify competition for end-of-life tires.
See what Tire Recovery & Recycling in Europe, 2032 covers, and book a call with Astutus Research →
