Juanita Pienaar spoke with Dr Mehran Zarrebini, CEO of Mathe Group, about the company’s expansion plans, the pressing need for sector-wide reform, and why South Africa must act now to unlock the potential of tyre recycling.
From market fluctuations to measured growth
When Mathe Group began operations, it faced the same uncertainty many recyclers know too well. “One of the advantages that we had from the early days of starting out was that we were very much focused on valorising the raw material produced,” says Dr Zarrebini. “We looked at ways where we could add value to the recycled tyre material and not only sell this product to external clients.”
Early on, demand for recycled products was seasonal and cyclical, making the business vulnerable to fluctuations. The decision to invest in value-added processing proved to be a stabilising force.
Today, Mathe Group processes approximately 25 tonnes of tyres daily and is working to double that figure. “Our major focus has been on increasing our capacity and increasing the number of tyres recycled from our current 25T per day to a projected 50T per day over a period of time,” says Dr Zarrebini. “This involves new equipment, replacement of existing equipment, and reconfiguration of the existing plant and technology we have. By doing so, we aim to be more operationally efficient and competitive.”
Turning tyres into opportunity
Mathe Group’s business model centres on converting end-of-life tyres - a persistent environmental challenge - into valuable raw materials. “Our operations are built on the principle of transforming end-of-life tyres into valuable raw materials such as rubber granulate, steel, and textile fibre,” says Dr Zarrebini.
By diverting thousands of tonnes of waste from landfill each year, the company reduces greenhouse gas emissions linked to tyre incineration and illegal dumping. Locally, its operations support economic growth by creating manufacturing and recycling jobs in KwaZulu-Natal and beyond. Globally, its products form part of supply chains for sports surfaces, industrial flooring, construction materials, and energy recovery applications.
“This closed-loop approach not only mitigates environmental harm but also drives sustainable industry growth,” Dr Zarrebini notes.
Lessons from Europe’s collaboration model
A major talking point for Dr Zarrebini is the need for stronger collaboration between industry, academia, and government. It is a model he has seen work effectively in Europe, particularly through forums such as the ETRA conference.
“The ETRA conference demonstrates the confluence between industry, academia, and Government,” he says. “Besides new applications of utilising tyre-derived material and opportunities that exist for pyrolysis and devulcanisation, it is also interesting to see how policy is shaped by a well-functioning alliance of industry, academia, and Government - something that tremendously lacks in South Africa when it comes to tyre recycling.”
In Europe, structured partnerships accelerate innovation, fund research, and shape legislation to support sustainable practices. “To foster this synergy, we need a coordinated national strategy that encourages co-funded research programmes, aligns environmental legislation with industrial capabilities, and creates public-private innovation hubs,” says Dr Zarrebini. “By uniting academia’s research capacity, government’s regulatory and funding frameworks, and business’ operational expertise, South Africa can fast-track its transition to a more sustainable and competitive circular economy.”
Overcoming the funding roadblock
For Mathe Group and the wider sector, accessing funding for expansion remains a significant challenge. “One of the greatest challenges is around funding of such a project,” Dr Zarrebini says. “We are in discussion with international investors and partners to see how we can jointly set up such an operation. The barriers to entry and friction involved in funding such projects in South Africa are inhibiting, and we see the international market being much more attractive.”
He believes the first step is to implement a robust national tyre waste management plan. “What we have seen over the years is a lack of interest in the sector and comprehensive decision making,” he says. “We also need comprehensive incentives to ensure the industry becomes and remains sustainable.”
Building Africa’s benchmark recycler
Mathe Group’s growth strategy is built on more than just expanding capacity. “Our vision is to position Mathe Group as Africa’s benchmark for sustainable tyre recycling and value-added rubber manufacturing,” Dr Zarrebini says.
Over the next decade, the company plans to broaden its product range into higher-value applications and invest in advanced recycling technologies to maximise material recovery. But Dr Zarrebini also sees a role for Mathe Group beyond its own operations. “We see our role as a catalyst, helping to shape industry standards, supporting regulatory development, and demonstrating commercially viable models for circular manufacturing in South Africa,” he says.
“By proving that waste can be transformed into high-quality, globally competitive products, we intend to inspire a new generation of green industries that contribute both to environmental protection and economic resilience.”
A call for national commitment
South Africa’s tyre recycling industry holds huge potential for economic growth, environmental sustainability, and innovation, but only if the right frameworks are in place. Dr Zarrebini’s message is clear: coordinated action is essential.
As the Mathe Group story shows, it is possible to turn one of the world’s most problematic waste streams into a resource that delivers measurable benefits for the environment, industry, and communities. With the right policies, partnerships, and investment, the industry could shift from a fragmented operation to a fully integrated pillar of South Africa’s economy.
