New Delhi: India’s tyre recycling industry is about to get a technological upgrade—and perhaps a little less “manual tyre juggling.” Plannex Recycling has partnered with French tyre solutions specialist REGOM to build a modern closed-loop tyre recycling ecosystem in India, powered by artificial intelligence and X-ray technology.
The collaboration aims to transform how India handles end-of-life tyres (ELTs) by introducing a “From Tyre to Tyre” circular model that keeps tyres in productive use for longer. Instead of relying heavily on manual sorting, the partnership will deploy advanced automated systems capable of identifying, sorting, and tracking tyres with remarkable precision.
AI and X-ray: A New Pit Crew for Recycling Plants
At the heart of this partnership lies REGOM’s AI-driven tyre identification and sorting technology, which Plannex plans to deploy across its recycling operations. The system uses AI vision algorithms to classify tyres by type, condition, and potential downstream application—whether for reuse, retreading, recycling, or material recovery.
But the real hero of the plant floor might be the integrated X-ray detection system, which scans tyres before they reach shredding equipment. This technology identifies hidden contaminants such as batteries, TPMS sensors, and metal fragments—components that can damage shredders, trigger plant shutdowns, or even cause safety hazards.
In simple terms: the machines will now do the detective work, ensuring that the shredders aren’t surprised by an unexpected metal souvenir inside an old tyre.
Tackling Industry Challenges
India’s tyre recycling sector has been facing mounting challenges, from labour shortages to the growing complexity of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) compliance. Manual sorting not only slows down processing but also introduces inconsistencies that affect the quality of recycled materials.
By automating the identification and sorting process, the Plannex-REGOM solution brings several advantages:
- Higher processing efficiency with reduced dependence on manual labour
- Improved safety for workers, who will face fewer contaminant-related risks
- Real-time digital traceability for every tyre processed
- Audit-ready records aligned with EPR portal requirements
This means recycling plants can process larger volumes of tyres with improved reliability—while regulators get cleaner, more verifiable compliance data.
Building the Data Backbone for Circular Economy
Commenting on the partnership, Yashraj Bhardwaj, Co-Founder and CSO of Plannex Recycling, highlighted the importance of technology in transforming India’s recycling infrastructure.
He said the collaboration with REGOM will help the company move from reactive, manual operations to a data-driven system, where the quality and traceability of recycled materials can be verified at every stage.
REGOM’s Arthur Wagner, Director, echoed the sentiment, describing the partnership as the foundation of a data backbone for a circular tyre economy. By identifying and tracking each tyre based on its condition and composition, the system enables recyclers to route materials more efficiently while improving transparency across the ecosystem.
Preparing India for Global Circular Supply Chains
The technology being deployed also supports integration with RFID infrastructure and the emerging Digital Product Passport (DPP) framework under the European Union’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation.
For Indian recyclers, this means being better prepared for future global supply chain requirements, where lifecycle data and traceability will increasingly become mandatory.
In other words, India’s tyre recycling industry isn’t just cleaning up old rubber—it’s preparing to plug into the global circular economy.
Scaling the Model
Both companies plan to expand the system across multiple recycling sites and markets, building a connected network where every tyre’s identity, condition, and material destiny can be tracked.
Headquartered in Gurgaon, Plannex Recycling has been steadily expanding its footprint in India’s waste management ecosystem. The company works across multiple streams—including e-waste, plastics, batteries, tyres, solar panels, and metals—leveraging advanced technologies and strategic partnerships to turn waste into valuable resources.
And with AI now joining the recycling workforce, India’s discarded tyres may finally find a smarter route back into the economy—rather than simply piling up on the roadside like retired marathon runners.
