Bionic Tire Recycling: Turning Waste into Opportunity in Preston County

When Tim Davis founded Bionic Tire Recycling, LLC, his vision was simple yet ambitious — to turn one of the world’s most persistent waste problems into a sustainable, job-creating opportunity. Today, that vision is being realized in Masontown, where Bionic Tire Recycling has become a model for industrial innovation, environmental stewardship, and local economic growth.

“Our goal has always been to build something that makes a measurable difference for the environment, our employees, and Preston County,” said Davis.

The Preston County Economic Development Authority (EDA) is proud to support local businesses like Bionic Tire Recycling, whose commitment to innovation, sustainability, and job creation helps drive economic growth. Discover how Bionic Tire Recycling is transforming waste into opportunity and making a lasting impact on Preston County below.

From Aviation and Energy to Environmental Innovation

After nearly two decades in the aviation industry followed by 13 years in oil and gas, Davis began searching for a new direction, one that would allow him to make a meaningful impact on the environment and help reduce his carbon footprint. That search led to the creation of Bionic Tire Recycling, LLC, an advanced industrial recycling company dedicated to repurposing whole tires into valuable new materials.

Revolutionizing Tire Recycling

Bionic Tire operates seven machine modules at its Masontown facility that transform whole tires through a multi-step process: shredding, separating steel for recycling, and further refining rubber into crumb rubber, a key material used in industrial pour-in-place playground surfacing and other applications.

Since its soft start in November 2024, Bionic Tire has processed between 20 and 40 tons of material per day, four days a week. The company now operates 24/7, with tire receiving available by appointment Monday through Friday.

The company’s full-circle approach to sustainability is about turning waste into resources. Transforming a whole tire into crumb rubber produces about 50 tons of Class 1 steel, which is returned directly into the manufacturing supply chain.

The company even recovers polyester fiber belts from passenger and light truck tires, achieving an impressive 99.4% recycling efficiency,  a near-total reclamation rate rarely seen in the industry.

Economic Impact in Preston County

Bionic Tire’s success story is environmental and economic. The company started with four employees and has already expanded to 23. Davis estimates they will have 45 employees by 2026 or at the point they can expand to three and four shifts.

During the company’s permitting process, census data revealed that the quality wages offered by Bionic Tire increased the median household income in Masontown by more than 3%. The company has also created a critical local solution for semi-truck tire disposal, eliminating the need for direct burial at monofil facilities and keeping valuable materials in circulation.

Beyond its direct employment, Bionic Tire’s presence has produced a ripple effect throughout Preston County, increasing local spending on gas, food, and services. In short, what began as an environmental initiative has become a cornerstone of the regional industrial economy.

Why Preston County

According to Davis, Preston County offered the perfect mix of location, accessibility, and opportunity.

“We needed immediate availability of land with room to expand, and being located within an industrial park right off Route 7 gave us that advantage,” Davis explained. “With several trucking companies, tire retailers, and waste haulers in our service area, it made perfect sense to establish operations here.”

The private industrial setting also allows Bionic Tire to develop new materials and processes, many currently being tested and patented.

Rapid Growth and a Bright Future

Looking ahead, Bionic Tire is focused on expansion and efficiency. The company has an engineered area ready for a second 35,000-square-foot building, which will allow for increased capacity and the development of new technologies. While matching its 99% recycling efficiency on the production side is a challenge, Davis and his team are committed to pushing the limits of what’s possible in tire recycling.
With a strong commitment to both people and planet, Bionic Tire Recycling is proving that sustainability and economic growth can go hand in hand in the heart of West Virginia.

Visit Bionic Tire Recycling’s website or contact the Preston County EDA to learn how innovation drives progress in Preston County.