10182139Feasibility of recycled tyre-derived polymers for sustainable insulation materialsClosedCollaborative R&DInnovate UK**Zero Waste Works** is carrying out a two-month feasibility study to explore how waste polymers from end-of-life tyres (ELTs) can be transformed into sustainable insulation materials for the UK construction industry. Every year, thousands of tonnes of synthetic textile fibres recovered during tyre recycling are discarded because they are heavily contaminated with rubber and carbon black. These fibres currently have no practical reuse options and are usually sent to landfill or incineration. The project aims to give this difficult waste stream a new purpose by refining and testing a cleaning and re-processing method that converts the recovered material into a high-quality polymer feedstock suitable for insulation applications. The study will optimise the cleaning process, assess the basic physical properties of the recovered fibres, and produce proof-of-concept insulation samples. These early trials will show whether the material has the consistency, strength, and performance needed for further product development. If successful, this approach could reduce waste sent to landfill, lower the carbon footprint of insulation manufacturing, and strengthen the UK's circular-economy capability by turning a problematic waste into a valuable resource. It also supports the UK's net-zero ambitions by promoting domestic innovation and reducing reliance on virgin petrochemical materials. This feasibility project will deliver the technical and practical evidence needed to shape future development and commercialisation. By demonstrating the potential of recycled tyre polymers for use in sustainable insulation, Zero Waste Works aims to help make the UK construction sector cleaner, more resilient, and more resource-efficient.