Tyrewise Seeks Applicants for Funding

Tyrewise is seeking Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for project funding to support innovative solutions for the tyre-derived rubber materials from regulated tyres in New Zealand

The opportunity to apply closes on the 29^th July 25.

One of the greatest challenges for tyre recycling is finding markets for the tyre derived materials. Globally, with 23 million tons of tyres being produced annually, and a tyre industry that is including , at best 10 per cent of recycled tyre materials in its new products, that leaves a huge volume of tyre material that needs to find alternate uses.  Tyrewise is using the funds raised from the recycling fees to encourage new market developments, a practice that needs to be followed in markets around the world.

Recycled rubber derived from tyres can be turned into a number of recycled rubber materials with a variety of uses such as: roading construction, playground surfacing, aggregate substitute etc.

However, the domestic market demand for tyre-derived rubber is around half the supply of tyre derived product available from the annual collected tonnage, projected at 60,000 to 65,000 tonnes.

Tyrewise has therefore established the fund as a means of stimulating development of new products and the market for recycled rubber.

This EOI process is designed to identify and support projects that:

• Clearly increase demand for recycled rubber materials in the domestic market.
• Deliver measurable environmental benefits, such as lower emissions or improved resource efficiency e.g. increased longevity of pavements.
• Support the development of technical standards, specifications or approvals for new products.
• Align with the Government’s waste and resource  efficiency strategy, principles of the circular economy, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development’s Tire Waste Hierarchy and Recovery Route Matrix, and/or improved resource efficiency.
• Encourage strong collaboration across industry, government and research sectors.
• Enable regional development, Iwi partnerships or social procurement outcomes.
• Demonstrate readiness for commercialisation or real-world deployment.
• Presents a scalable model with potential for broader market uptake.
• Address adoption barriers such as public perception, technical feasibility or cost competitiveness.

Tyrewise aims to foster partnerships among research, industry, and government to develop technically sound, commercially viable, and environmentally responsible tyre-derived products for New Zealand. The Tyrewise Fund’s main goal is to support projects that increase domestic processing of end-of-life tyres, reducing reliance on overseas markets.

Before submitting your expression of interest using the form below, please ensure you have read the Tyrewise Fund EOI Guidelines 

There are three categories you can apply for funding in:

• Research & Development
  This stream is focused on research that has the ability to create real benefits from the use of tyre derived products. Funding applications supported through this stream may range from exploration of new ideas to demonstration projects that have been proven via research and development and now require larger scale trialing, monitoring and real-world demonstration to validate viability. The funding may extend to projects aimed at ‘standardising’ and ‘normalising’ existing equipment and infrastructure that will ensure consistent, ongoing consumption of recycled rubber material.
• Emerging Markets
  This stream supports innovative funding applications that are moving beyond the research phase and that can demonstrate both economic viability and sound environmental benefit for recycled rubber material. Projects must clearly demonstrate how they will expand and strengthen markets for ranges of TDP.
• Community Development
  This funding stream considers projects that improve the functionality, quality and enjoyment of public spaces and facilities. This stream will have a particular focus on environmental and social benefits generated by the project.