News: Tire Recycling & Pyrolysis

AZuR's new partner Werba-Chem is developing biodegradable additives from renewable raw materials for the climate-friendly production of high-quality tires and rubber products. According to AZuR's recent article, for over 70 years, Austrian company Werba-Chem GmbH has been a reliable partner to the industry. Originally a trading company, it has evolved into a globally sought-after provider of innovative products and solutions, helping customers across various sectors achieve sustainability gains. The self-developed additives and chemicals are key elements in many modern industrial processes, with Werba-Chem focusing on sustainable materials that can remain in use for as long as possible.

On May 21, 2024, UK-based ReTyre Ltd signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Indian Rubber Materials Research Institute (IRMRI), under the Indian Ministry of Commerce. This agreement involves ReTyre-Bharat Pvt. Ltd, ReTyre’s Indian division. The MOU focuses on technological research, product development, and mutual knowledge exchange. Mr. Shravan Bansal, Founder of ReTyre Ltd, stated: “With this MOU, ReTyre has taken a leap forwards in the strategic development of the company and its technology.” The collaboration with Siemens will support the introduction of their “recycling at source” technology in the tire recycling sector.

Michelin, one of the leading tire supplier for electric vehicles (EVs) in the U.S., is striving for fewer but better tires. EVs wear out tires faster due to their weight and torque, posing a challenge. Michelin aims to produce longer-lasting, environmentally friendly tires. By 2030, they plan to have 40% renewable and recyclable materials in their tires, and 100% by 2050. At a recent summit, Michelin showcased high-content sustainable material tires, set to go into production in 2025. These tires feature recycled steel, carbon black from end-of-life tires, and silica from rice husks, aiming to reduce environmental impact.

During the two-day Workshop on Plastics, Rubber and Recycling on October 1-2, 2024, in Valencia, AIMPLAS and ETRA are going to provide an environment of collaboration, learning and networking among industry professionals. The first day will be marked by parallel sessions including project presentations, networking opportunities and lab visits.

The European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers’ Association (ETRMA), together with other associations representing the commodities under the scope of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), has signed a letter to the EU Commission lamenting that the EUDR information system is not yet on track to meet the requirements of properly functioning supply chains.

On International Recycling Day, May 17, Continental reiterated its commitment to achieving full carbon neutrality by 2050 and becoming the leading tire company in sustainability. Continental has long been reducing its reliance on fossil fuels, promoting the circular economy, and cutting emissions. Their Tires Vision 2030 sets ambitious targets: 60% sustainable materials in their products, 20% waste reduction, a 95% recycling rate, and a 20% decrease in energy and water consumption.

Discarded tyres pose significant environmental and health risks, accumulating in landfills, and polluting ecosystems with toxic substances. The current scale of tyre waste exceeds the reach of existing recycling efforts, with over half of Europe’s waste being incinerated or being exported to Asia and Africa for environmentally damaging disposal, underscoring the vital need for innovative solutions in tyre waste management. Moreover, the increasing adoption of electric vehicles will further exacerbate the tyre waste problem as tyres used for electric vehicles wear down faster. CIRCTEC, a UK-headquartered technology company, has developed a proprietary technology for decomposing old tyres through pyrolysis, (a process that transforms waste into valuable circular materials through thermal decomposition in an oxygen-free environment), and for upgrading the products to high-quality recycled chemicals and renewable fuels.

Last week, the municipal council of Perl voted on the amendment to the development plan for the site of the new plant of Pyrum Innovations AG (Pyrum) and approved the amendment to the articles of association and thus the new development plan by a majority. Accordingly, only the construction of a tyre thermolysis plant of Pyrum GreenFactory II GmbH was approved on the property. Furthermore, the implementation agreement between the municipality of Perl and Pyrum Innovations AG was signed, which, among other things, stipulates the forest compensation areas for the building site. All comments from authorities, public bodies and the local population were also discussed and taken into account.

In Episode 61, Tyre and Rubber recycling interviewed the two leading tyre recyclers in South Africa - Dr Megran Zarrebini from The Mathe Group and Oscar Filen from XTYRE SA to hear their views on the new stewardship scheme.