Auto recycling keeps high-value materials like copper, aluminum, steel, and batteries out of landfills, giving them a second life and allowing metals to be recovered for further use in both domestic and international markets. TAS Recycling is committed to minimizing a junk car's negative impact on the environment and is working to responsibly recycle end-of-life vehicles and salvage sustainably. Founded in Knoxville, Tennessee, in 2013, TAS Recycling has grown into a multi-state metal recycling and salvage operation with additional locations in Florida and North Carolina. With the help of its fleet of 8 Liebherr machines, it continues to expand its capacity and further solidify its position in the metal and auto recycling industry.

Tratamiento Neumáticos Usados (TNU) travelling exhibition “Recicla y Sonríe” (“Recycle and Smile”) will be a part of the latest edition of Ecofira, Spain’s trade fair focused on environmental solutions
Visitors can see the TNU exhibition, designed to encourage reflection on the importance of recycling and the circular economy, at Ecofira from 11 to 13 November at Feria Valencia, Hall N3-P2, Stand C10.
As a Collective System for Extended Producer Responsibility (SCRAP), TNU coordinates the comprehensive management of end-of-life tyres (ELTs) throughout Spain, ensuring their collection and processing by authorised operators.Through this process, valuable materials such as rubber, steel, and textile fibres are recovered and reintroduced into the value chain for a wide variety of applications, including asphalt, alternative fuels for cement plants, and safety flooring for playgrounds.
During Ecofira, TNU will invite professionals and visitors to learn about the management and traceability of ELTs and the social, economic, and environmental benefits of tyre recycling. The “Recycle and Smile” exhibition has already toured several Spanish cities, raising awareness among thousands of people about the importance of recycling in the fight against climate change.
In 2024, following the DANA storm that severely affected the Valencian Community, TNU collaborated in managing over 30,000 end-of-life tyres as part of the emergency plan launched by the Regional Government (Generalitat Valenciana) to deal with the extraordinary volume of waste caused by the floods. This joint action, carried out alongside other SCRAPs such as SIGNUS, helped to prevent uncontrolled tyre dumping and ensured their environmentally responsible treatment.

“There will be space in the market for both nickel cobalt manganese (NCM) cathodes and lithium iron phosphate (LFP),” Alfredo Santana, chief operating officer at Vale Base Metals, told Fastmarkets in an interview on Wednesday October 29.His commentary comes in a scenario where there are some discussions in the market that nickel could be at risk of missing out on a central role, with NCM cathodes losing to LFP alternatives.“The fundamentals are really bad,” one analyst source told Fastmarkets on the sidelines of the London Metal Exchange’s annual gathering last month. “Nickel’s use in batteries has slowed quite dramatically and LFP batteries are now almost 50% cheaper,” they said.Global nickel supplies are abundant, with Indonesia now producing high volumes of the material. But the increase in availability has not been met by a substantial rise in demand from battery producers, sources said.“Electric vehicles are making a strong impact, but the classic nickel market remains strong,” Santana said. “Nickel is also used in other activities other than battery production,” he added.Currently, Vale supplies about 50-60% of the high-purity nickel into the aerospace and defense sector in the United States.“At a higher-level, our strategy with nickel is to be in the lower half of the cost curve, which means improving productivity and effectively managing costs,” Shaun Usmar, chief executive at Vale Base Metals, also told Fastmarkets in an exclusive Q&A session in June 12.By 2035, Vale Base Metals plans to double copper production to 700,000 tonnes per year as part of its copper production growth strategy, aiming to become a top-five producer of nickel and copper.When it comes to copper, about 30% of our production comes from Canada, but the rest is based in Brazil. So there is a focus on Brazil.For Santana, the copper market is strong. “It has a solid demand, it’s a solid market in general,” he said.According to Santana, the low-carbon market for nickel and copper are maturing with the value chain decarbonization efforts.“We want to lead the decarbonization process and investments are being made. We have a low carbon footprint — mainly due to our clean energy matrix in Brazil — and we are also looking at circularity. We continue to seek alternatives within the industry,” he said.When asked about Vale’s intentions to increase its portfolio, he said the company is not thinking about it.“We are focused on increasing our operational efficiency. Current portfolio is focused on copper and nickel,” he said.“We have to see what fits best in the portfolio. Because if we try to be all things to all people, then we will not be successful,” Usmar highlighted to Fastmarkets in June.Recently, Anglo American sold its nickel asset in Brazil, reflecting a long-term strategic shift rather than operational performance — Ana Sanches, the company’s chief executive officer in Brazil, told Fastmarkets in an interview on Tuesday October 28.Fastmarkets assessed the nickel 4×4 cathode premium, in-whs Rotterdam at $320-400 per tonne on Tuesday, unchanged week on week.Meanwhile, Fastmarkets calculated its copper concentrates TC index, cif Asia Pacific at $(66.30) per tonne on Friday October 31, up by $0.10 per tonne from October 24.Santana highlighted three main challenges that Brazil is facing in terms of mining activity and what needs to be improved:Want to know more about the future of the base metals market? Unlock crucial insights with Fastmarkets’ price data, news analysis and forecasts. Speak to one of our experts to find out more.

LAS VEGAS—The Tire Industry Association is launching initiatives to improve roadside safety, help students pursue careers in the tire service industry and provide training courses in Spanish.
TIA CEO Richard "Dick" Gust announced the initiatives following the association's 2025 Annual Membership Meeting Nov. 3 at Planet Hollywood Las Vegas Resort and Casino, a day before the start of the 2025 SEMA Show.
During the meeting, Russell Devens was sworn in as TIA's president for 2025-2026. He is director of safety and risk management at McCarthy Tire Service in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., a commercial tire dealer with more than 75 commercial tire centers and 13 retread plants in eight states.
Devens succeeds Debra Hamlin, who moved into the role of past president.
Gust praised Hamlin, director of operations, Bridgestone Commercial Dealer Network, for her "purpose and heart."
"Your vision has elevated this association in every way," he said. "On behalf of the TIA staff members and board, we thank you for your service and for the legacy of leadership you leave behind."
 
Next spring, TIA will hold a National Road Service Safety Week to educate tire technicians and motorists on how to prevent roadside accidents.
Gust said TIA would reach out to partner with the trucking, towing and roadside vehicle repair industries, and the group was aiming to launch the program no later than the first quarter of 2026.
Devens said three tire technicians have been seriously hurt or killed during the last six months while doing commercial truck service on the side of a roadway.
In June, a service technician in Kentucky lost his leg after being struck by a vehicle that fled the scene and hasn't been identified, Devens said.
Then, over the last three weeks, a technician in New Jersey and a technician in Arkansas were killed in separate incidents while working for the same company. The drivers who struck the technicians also fled the scene, but the driver in the New Jersey incident has been caught, Devens said.
"With all this stuff that happened in the last month, we knew we had to do something," he said. "This initiative is going to hopefully bring awareness to public and technicians and companies as far as safe way to do emergency roadside service and bring awareness to move-over laws in the country."
 
On the education front, Gust said TIA launching a scholarship program in partnership with the University of the Aftermarket Foundation.
TIA is contributing $5,000 to support students pursuing higher education and trade programs related to tire and service industry, and Bridgestone will match TIA's contribution this year, and has committed to contributing $5,000 for the next five years to grow the program. Additionally, Yokohama has pledged an additional $10,000 toward the scholarship.
Gust credited Hamlin with helping bring the scholarship partnership to life.
The scholarship application is live on the University of the Aftermarket Foundation website and the window for submissions will remain open until March 31, 2026.
TIA previously had a scholarship partnership with Michelin North America Inc. that awarded more $500,000 to more than 80 students over 27 years before it ended in 2023.
 
TIA's Basic Commercial Tire Service training program is available in Spanish, and the association is working to translate its Certified Commercial Tire Service program by mid to late 2026, Gust said.
"This expansion will make our industry leading training more accessible to Spanish-speaking technicians across the country, reinforcing TIA's ongoing commitment to safety, education and inclusivity in the tire and service industry," Gust said. "It also opens new markets in Central and South America, in addition to the Caribbean, so commercial tire dealers in those countries can provide the highest level of truck tire and … safety training to their technicians in their native language."
The Spanish language program is identical to the English version and is available in video and workbook format, and through TIA's Online University.
"TIA's Training and Education Committee has set an aggressive goal to translate all of our training and certification programs into Spanish over the next five to six years," Gust said. "As the programs are translated, TIA will continue to add Spanish classes to the training calendar so that we can meet the needs of more technicians in the Western Hemisphere and expand the message of tire safety beyond our borders."
Other initiatives announced at the meeting included:
• A partnership with Federated Insurance to provide insurance coverage for tire retreaders who are TIA members.
• TIA's ongoing efforts to lobby for Right-to-Repair legislation, federal tax credits for retreaded tires and against tighter vehicle emissions standards.
• Creation of a career toolkit designed to promote career paths in the tire industry.
 
During the meeting, Gary MacCausland, of VIP Tires & Service, became TIA's vice president and is scheduled to succeed Devens as president for the 2026-2027 term.
Gary Schroeder, of Bob Sumerel Tire Co., was named secretary, putting him in line to be president in 2027-2028.
TIA also welcomed the following new board members for three-year terms:
• Stephen Callahan, Liberty Tire Recycling.
• Jeff Campbell, Tire Discounters Inc.
• John Evankovich, Sam's Club Tire and Battery Centers.
• Michael Jacobsen, Purcell Tire Co.
Darrell Jackson, of Big O Tires, was named to a two-year term to replace Schroeder, who became secretary.
TIA's next big event will be the 71st Annual Off-the-Road (OTR) Tire Conference, Feb. 18-21, at Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, Fla.