Turning End-of-Life Tyres into Safer, More Durable Surfaces 

Colour Recycled Group (CRG), a family-run business led by Vincent Caddy alongside his wife Rhonda, daughter Kate, son Vin and grandson Indie, is proving that small businesses can play a big role in tackling Australia's end-of-life tyre challenge. 

Their signature product, the Safe-T Rubber Coat, repurposes crumb rubber from end-of-life tyres into a high-performance, slip-resistant surface coating for community and commercial spaces. The product blends locally sourced crumb rubber with CRG’s proprietary colour-coating system and a choice of epoxy, polyurethane, or waterproof binding — resulting in a vibrant, durable surface that meets the highest safety standards.

As CRG founder Vincent Caddy explains, “The major benefits are its excellent wear properties, as proven with NATA-approved laboratory testing. It has the highest slip rating you can get, and it’s a very cost-effective product to install.”

Environmental Benefits and Versatile Applications 

Each square metre of Safe-T Rubber Coat uses the equivalent of half a passenger tyre, while delivering a durable, safe and noise-reducing surface. Independent testing confirms the product’s performance, making it ideal for walkways, ramps and cycle paths; sporting facilities and playgrounds; and public and private infrastructure, including aged care homes and arts centres.

If adopted on a large scale, the product could help divert significant volumes of used tyres from landfill and contribute to Australia’s circular economy. “Based on the testing we’ve done,” says Caddy, “we believe there could be hundreds of thousands of square metres that could be laid with this product — therefore saving thousands, even tens of thousands, of tyres from going to landfill.”

Supporting Small Business Innovation 

Small businesses play a vital role in Australia’s economy, making up 70% of the business sector and employing nearly half of the workforce. Yet limited resources and competitive pressures often make it difficult for small manufacturers to innovate at scale. CRG’s journey highlights how targeted support can overcome these challenges. 

CRG has received approximately $50,000 in project sponsorship over the past two years from Tyre Stewardship Australia’s market development initiatives. This support has been crucial in testing, refining and preparing Safe-T Rubber Coat for wider adoption. 

“Tyre Stewardship are a fantastic organisation,” says Caddy. “If it hadn’t been for them, we wouldn’t be in the position we’re in now. All of the direction, help, funding, and the people we’ve been involved with at Tyre Stewardship have been incredible.”

For councils, government bodies and businesses, collaborating with small Australian manufacturers like CRG creates shared benefits — such as strengthening local job creation, supporting regional economies, and delivering environmental outcomes by reducing reliance on virgin materials and preventing valuable resources from going to landfill.

Family-Run and Community-Minded 

CRG is a family-run operation that spans three generations and combines decades of coating industry experience with a shared commitment to sustainability. At the heart of their work is a drive to create safer, more vibrant spaces while reducing waste. 

Family-owned businesses like CRG often have long-term vision, strong client relationships and adaptability, positioning them as powerful drivers of innovation. CRG’s Safe-T Rubber Coat demonstrates how such businesses can deliver practical, high-impact solutions to environmental challenges while supporting the transition to a more circular economy.

Learn more 

• If you’re looking to procure safe, slip-resistant surfaces for walkways, footpaths, and other applications, visit https://www.colouredrecycled.com.au/safe-t-rubber-coat/ to learn more about CRG’s Safe-T Rubber Coat. 

• If you’re a business — large or small — that could integrate tyre-derived rubber into your products or projects, find out how Tyre Stewardship Australia can support you. Find out more here: https://www.tyrestewardship.org.au/what-we-do/market-development-funding