Bekaert, Chinese group launch steel cord recycling project

Beijing – Chinese steelmaker CITIC Special Steel and Bekaert have launched a joint project to develop closed-loop recycling of tire reinforcement steel, with the aim of turning steel recovered from end-of-life tires into “high-quality tire cord wire rod” for new tire production.

The project was announced as part of a circular low-carbon strategic cooperation agreement signed by the two companies 6 July, building on a green cooperation agreement reached in April 2025.

The project will explore how steel recovered from scrap tires can be remelted into tire cord wire rod "without sacrificing any technical performance" before being reused in new tires, said CITIC in a social media post 7 July.

The programme will involve joint technology research and industrial-scale trials.

The partners will also evaluate material performance to assess the impact of using a high proportion of closed-loop recycled steel on product performance, manufacturing and economics, while maintaining industry quality standards.

"This signing is a historic moment and a milestone for both parties," said Jim Dobson, SVP technology & quality, Bekaert Rubber Reinforcement.

The project, he added, represents "a key breakthrough" in the companies' shared commitment to green development and aims to help transform the steel supply chain towards "a closed-loop circular economy model."