Ecore CEO joins inaugural board of directors for Tire Recycling Foundation

Ecore International, a manufacturer of commercial flooring and surfaces, has announced that Arthur Dodge, its chairman and CEO, has joined the inaugural board of directors for the newly established Tire Recycling Foundation. As one of the founding members of this new board, Dodge brings more than three decades of experience in rubber recycling and circular innovation, having built Ecore into the world’s leading rubber circularity company platform, the company says. 

Formed under the leadership of the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) and the Tire Industry Association (TIA), the Tire Recycling Foundation says it is dedicated to driving change within the tire recycling industry. The new foundation will work to secure funding and allocate grants for research, education and demonstration projects that address gaps in the national tire recycling supply chain across the U.S. The initial board comprises 15 industry leaders with deep expertise across manufacturing, recycling and transportation, and includes representatives from Bridgestone, Goodyear and Michelin.

“The creation of the Tire Recycling Foundation is another milestone in the evolution of industries from linear to circular supply chains,” Dodge says. “This foundation brings together leaders who understand the urgent need to transition to fully circular economies, especially in industries like ours, where the environmental and economic impacts are substantial. As a board member, I’m honored to contribute to the mission of making tire recycling more efficient, innovative and impactful for communities nationwide.”

With the goal of achieving 100 percent circularity for end-of-life tires, the Tire Recycling Foundation has made significant progress in advancing tire recycling technologies. A primary focus for the board is to accelerate the adoption of emerging end-of-life tire market technologies like rubber-modified asphalt (RMA), which provides enhanced performance, economic efficiency and environmental sustainability. 
“Rubber is engineered to retain its critical performance characteristics, allowing for beneficial reuse across various applications,” Dodge says. “The foundation is taking the lead in advancing these uses and technologies, and I am eager to help guide these efforts and foster collaborative approaches that will further encourage circularity in tire recycling.”

The Tire Recycling Foundation aims to build partnerships and foster innovation across the tire recycling supply chain, working closely with key stakeholders to expand tire recycling markets and enhance sustainable end-of-life tire management practices.