Ecore: Strategic Investment Raised From General Atlantic To Transform Reclaimed Rubber Materials Into Better Products

By Amit Chowdhry • Nov 18, 2024

Ecore International – a global leader in circularity transforming reclaimed rubber materials into high-performance products that drive sustainability and reduce environmental impact – announced it has received a minority growth investment from General Atlantic through the firm’s BeyondNetZero climate growth fund.

Ecore will utilize this funding and strategic partnership to support continued organic and inorganic growth initiatives, strengthen core operational and technology infrastructure, and accelerate the execution of its industry-leading circularity and net-zero strategies.

For over 150 years, Ecore has built a pioneering circular business model that transforms used tires into rubber surfacing and flooring applications. And through its hallmark TRUcircularity program, Ecore then reclaims its own products and re-purposes them back into surfacing applications, creating a continuous cycle of rubber usage, thereby preventing rubber waste from entering landfills.

As a leader in rubber circularity, Ecore reclaims over 430 million pounds of waste rubber, avoids 9.5 million pounds of CO2 emissions annually and operates UL-certified zero waste plants. Ecore features over 1,500 different products in its portfolio, including high-performance flooring with Floorscore certifications and EPDs, IPEMA-certified pour-in-place playgrounds, and athletic tracks and fields. And Ecore was recently honored as a finalist in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s 2024 Citizens Awards for The Best Sustainability Program, recognizing its long-standing commitment to sustainability and its pursuit of a planet free from rubber waste.

Ecore’s full-circle vision creates partnerships in the marketplace, offering customers products that go beyond performance, health and safety, into wellness and global impact. And Ecore is positioned as a leader in the growing market for sustainable waste management solutions, driven by rising waste tire supply due to increased vehicle production and greater tire wear from electric vehicles. Recent acquisitions such as Ameritread and 360 Tire Recycling Group have strengthened Ecore’s access to recycled materials and advanced technology, allowing the company to expand its global reach to more than 75 countries.

In connection with the transaction, Michael Bevan and Wilson Bowen, Principal at General Atlantic’s BeyondNetZero, will join Ecore’s Board of Directors.

KEY QUOTES:

“We’re excited to partner with General Atlantic’s BeyondNetZero to further scale our vision of a circular economy for rubber materials. This investment will allow us to expand our reach, enhance our technology and drive innovation, all while keeping millions of pounds of waste out of landfills and reducing our environmental footprint. At Ecore, sustainability isn’t just a goal, it’s a core value driving every aspect of our business as we strive to deliver a positive impact on both the environment and the communities we serve.”

– Art Dodge, CEO and Chairman of Ecore

“Traditionally, end-of-life commercial tires and rubber materials were lost to landfills, but Ecore now upcycles over 140,000 tons of this waste into transformed products. Ecore is operating at the forefront of the recycled rubber product industry and has developed an innovative portfolio for a variety of end markets, while decreasing demand for virgin materials and delivering impact. We believe Ecore’s circularity model is supported by long-term tailwinds towards sustainability-forward solutions, and we look forward to our partnership with Art and the team.”

– Michael Bevan, Managing Director at General Atlantic’s BeyondNetZero