Worn-out tires from military vehicles will be recycled to meet the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

The Ministry of Defence is establishing recycling of worn-out tires, primarily from military wheeled vehicles. The recycled material will be used to manufacture products for the repair units of the Armed Forces. 

“The Ministry of Defence is focused on enhancing the operational efficiency of its units. The implementation of this project will contribute to reducing budgetary expenditures and fulfilling the material needs of the army,” said Nikita Nikitenko, State Secretary of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine.

Currently, military units have accumulated over 6,000 tons of used tires from wheeled vehicles in their storage, which require proper disposal. The market price for recycling services currently varies between UAH 200,000 and 400,000 per 1,000 tons.

“Therefore, the Ministry has deemed it advisable to construct its own recycling line. This will facilitate cost reduction and equip the repair units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine with recycled products, such as rubber mats. Once military needs are fully addressed, manufacturing products for Ukrainian road infrastructure and construction companies may be considered,” said Colonel Oleh Koval, Head of the MoD’s Department for Alienation and Utilization of Surplus Military Property.

To set up the line, the necessary domestic equipment has already been procured and is being installed at one of the military units directly subordinated to the Ministry of Defence. The line is capable of processing 1,000 tons of recyclable materials per year, generating finished products worth UAH 1.2 million monthly. Taking into account the savings on recycling costs, the annual economic benefit of the line will amount to up to UAH 15 million.

“The installation of the line is 80% complete. It is expected that the commissioning and start-up works will be completed in the near future, and the line will reach its design capacity in March,” said Oleh Koval.