What if used tyres were not the end, but the beginning of something new? This is exactly where the start-up competition LOOP THE TYRE 2026 on. The Alliance for the Future of Tyres (AZuR) is calling on creative thinkers to submit their ideas for a sustainable circular tyre economy. Whether new materials, clever recycling processes, digital tools or business models - we are looking for anything that extends the life cycle of tyres, reduces emissions and keeps raw materials in the loop. The closing date for applications is 15 May 2026.
Innovation meets circular economy: LOOP THE TYRE is looking for the best ideas in Europe
The start-up competition LOOP THE TYRE 2026 of the Future Tyre Alliance offers start-ups, students, practitioners, researchers and creative minds from all over Europe the stage to develop sustainable innovations for the tyre world of tomorrow. We are looking for projects that close cycles, conserve resources and create real impact solutions. The AZuR competition is aimed at participants from all over Europe with fresh ideas:
- Start-ups (founded max. 2 years ago or in the process of being founded)
- Students, graduates, researchers, university teams and practitioners
- Creative innovators from the environment, technology, IT, logistics, design or business
Wanted: Ideas and projects that move the tyre world
Whether sustainable materials or innovative processes, retreading or repair, climate-friendly mechanical recycling or digital tools for tyre and fleet management: we are looking for fresh ideas, bold concepts and clever minds that question existing structures and take innovative paths. LOOP THE TYRE aims to visualise solutions that make a real contribution to environmental protection and resource conservation:
- Retreading & repair: tools, services, automation, digitalisation
- Sustainable materials: alternatives for rubber, fillers, processing materials
- Recycling innovations: Mechanical, chemical, digital or completely rethought
- Sorting & separation processes: For production, recycling or reuse
- Fleet & tyre management systems: efficient, digital and transparent
- New business models for circular economy in the tyre world
The best three projects not only win prize money totalling 6,000 euros, but also access to and support from a high-calibre network:
- 2 years free AZuR partnership
- Presentation at THE TIRE COLOGNE 2026
- Access to over 80 partners from industry, science & trade
- Press presence and visibility in specialised media and at events
- Participation in scientific AZuR colloquia and much more.
If you don't just want to watch, but want to take responsibility and make a difference, submit your application by 15 May 2026 to get your project rolling, network with science and industry in the tyre/recycling sector and become part of the Europe-wide movement for a sustainable circular tyre economy. All information and the possibility to apply online can be found here here.
The award winners are selected by a renowned jury of experts from research and industry: Prof Dr Danka Katrakova-Krüger (TH Köln), Prof Dr Ulrich Giese (DIK), Anna-Maria Guth (AZuR network) and Stephan Rau (wdk).