There are sixty-nine tyre pyrolysis units currently operational across Madhya Pradesh, according to data shared by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in response to a question in the Rajya Sabha. Pyrolysis units refer to industrial setups or facilities designed to thermally decompose waste materials, primarily plastic, rubber (especially used tyres), biomass, or agricultural residue, in the absence of oxygen, to produce useful by-products like pyrolysis oil, carbon black, and syngas.
Only 41 of these units are registered on the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) Extended Producers’ Responsibility (EPR) portal, a key mechanism meant to ensure safe disposal of end-of-life tyres.
Unchecked tyre units foul MP air
In the last five years, 18 of these units have faced complaints related to pollution. The Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board (MPPCB) has issued closure directions to six of them. These closures were due to violations under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
CPCB also received a complaint in June this year regarding illegal tyre pyrolysis activities in the state. The complaint was forwarded to MPPCB for action.
Tyre pyrolysis units in the state are under scrutiny for their growing environmental impact, as pollution complaints and regulatory violations mount. Of the 69 operational units, many have faced pollution-related grievances. Experts warn that poor ventilation, lack of emission controls, and unregulated use of tyre pyrolysis oil (TPO) are contributing to air and soil contamination.
While the industry offers a solution to India’s mounting tyre waste crisis, lax enforcement of environmental norms and low compliance with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) rules risk turning these recycling units into significant sources of pollution rather than sustainable alternatives.
“The industry has grown rapidly, but regulation has not kept pace,” said Satish Goyal, President of the Tyre & Rubber Recyclers Association of India (TRRAI). “Illegal operations hurt both the environment and legitimate recyclers.”
Toxic tyre recycling rises, rules ignored
Tyre pyrolysis units extract oil, carbon black, and steel from waste tyres by heating them in the absence of oxygen. While the process can reduce tyre waste, it often results in air pollution if not properly managed.
In 2022, the India’s Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) introduced EPR rules requiring tyre manufacturers and importers to ensure safe recycling of tyres. These producers must buy credits from registered recyclers, who process the tyres and generate EPR certificates. But official data shows low compliance.
“In 2023-24, producers were supposed to fulfill 70% of their recycling obligation, but less than 1% of credits were purchased,” said Goyal. “They don’t want to bear the cost.”
India discards about 2 million metric tonnes of tyres annually. An additional 0.8 million metric tonnes are imported from countries where tyre recycling is restricted, including the UK and Australia.
According to a BBC report, the UK discards about 50 million tyres every year, weighing nearly 7 lakh tonnes. Instead of recycling them domestically, a large share is exported to countries like India where recycling standards are weaker. India now hosts more than 2,000 pyrolysis plants, according to Dainik Bhaskar, with several operating in districts such as Morena, Bhopal, and Rajgarh.
According to Goyal, India has around 800 registered tyre recyclers. Of these, 650 produce Tyre Pyrolysis Oil (TPO). “This industry is essential if we are to handle our growing tyre waste,” he said.
India’s tyre production has been rising steadily. In 2022, it increased by 21%, followed by another 6% growth in 2023. The country produced over 217 million tyres in 2023, making tyre waste management a growing challenge.
Critics argue that the pyrolysis industry remains unsafe. “The conditions in which workers operate are hazardous,” said a tyre recycler from Ludhiana who requested anonymity. “There is poor ventilation, and workers are exposed to carbon emissions.”
A Ground Report from Pilukhedi Industrial Area in Rajgarh revealed workers handling tyres in unsafe conditions. Factories reportedly operate at night to avoid detection, exposing employees to smoke that blackens skin and clothing within minutes. Villagers nearby say crops, water sources, and even the air inside homes are contaminated. “Our nose turns black in the morning, as if we slept near a burning chimney,” one resident said.
The carbon char and TPO generated from the process are used in brick kilns, cement factories, and road construction. While the Ministry has approved these applications, there are concerns about pollution and unregulated fuel use.
In 2023, the CPCB classified TPO units under the Orange category due to their potential for air pollution. In January 2025, CPCB also issued standard operating procedures for the industry. The guidelines restrict import of tyres for TPO production and stress improved pollution control systems.
“Instead of banning TPO, the focus should be on upgrading technology and enforcing standards,” Goyal said. “We’ve already seen some units close, but most follow the rules and have clearance from the pollution board.”
But Bharati Chaturvedi, director of Chintan Environmental Research and Action Group, questions the reliability of these operations. “A technology may work in theory but fail in the real world,” she said. “We see these units getting shut down again and again. That tells its own story.”
Tyre waste grows, enforcement remains weak
MPPCB records show that closure orders were issued to multiple units across districts like Ujjain, Mandsaur, Katni, and Shajapur. Violations ranged from lack of pollution control systems to non-compliance with previous notices.
Despite these actions, tyre waste continues to pile up. In 2021, India discarded about 275,000 tyres every day, according to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. Many of these are not tracked or processed.
“Discarded tyres become breeding grounds for mosquitoes, contribute to landfill fires, and pollute soil and water,” said Goyal. “Proper recycling is the only solution.”
The EPR policy aims to address this, but implementation has lagged. Without strong enforcement and cooperation from producers, waste tyres could pose long-term environmental risks.
Experts say recycled materials from tyres can have wide applications. Crumb rubber, for example, can be used in roads, floor tiles, and battery casings. Recovered Carbon Black (RCB) can partially replace virgin carbon black in new tyres.
“A new policy is being considered to allow 5-10% RCB use in tyre manufacturing,” Goyal said. “That could reduce dependence on petroleum-based inputs.”
As of July 2025, six tyre pyrolysis units in Madhya Pradesh remain shut until further notice. Investigations and monitoring continue in several others.
The government says it is working with state pollution boards to improve oversight and ensure compliance. “We are coordinating with MPPCB to take action where needed,” said Kirti Vardhan Singh, Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change. “Our aim is to support recycling while ensuring safety and environmental standards.”
A recent study warned that long-term exposure to pollutants from tyre pyrolysis increases risks of respiratory, cardiovascular, and nervous system disorders, along with certain cancers. Experts say ignoring regulations not only pollutes air and water but also creates severe health consequences for nearby communities.
Tyre pyrolysis offers a way to manage India’s growing tyre waste, but poor oversight and weak enforcement have turned many units into pollution hotspots. Without stricter regulation, better compliance with EPR rules, and safer working conditions, the industry risks doing more harm than good. The challenge now is not just recycling tyres, but doing it responsibly.
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