Greenval Technologies – a Spanish company offering end-of-life tire (ELT) solutions – has announced an agreement with Spanish EPR agency TNU, to develop pyrolysis as a solution to the problem of tire disposal and recycling in Spain. TNU will supply raw material to Greenval’s pyrolysis plants, specifically ELT chips, under the terms of the agreement.

Pyrolysis is one of the most eco-sustainable procedures for converting tires into energy, alternative fuels and petrochemical products with high added value (it generates six times less CO2 than any other combustion process).

Greenval has designed an investment plan for the construction of 4 industrial pyrolytic plants in Castilla y León, Castilla La Mancha, Comunidad Valenciana and Andalucía, currently in the preliminary project phase, to treat 40,000 tons of end-of-life tire chips annually, more than half of the 75,865 tons of ELT collected by TNU in 2020.

These plants are at the forefront of ELT pyrolytic technology worldwide and would be the first of an industrial nature in Spain. Its implementation would place Spain at the forefront of Europe in the number of plants of this type, currently there are only three of similar size: one in Portugal, another in Germany and a third in Sweden.

Greenval Technologies has held meetings with the ministries of the environment and circular economy of the 4 aforementioned autonomous communities, and is in the process of requesting prior administrative authorizations from the town councils of the respective localities for the construction of these plants.

Strategically located, it is planned that they will be built close to tire treatment, recycling and chipping plants, in order to reduce logistics costs, make efficient use of resources and save on CO2 emissions through the establishment of this totally sustainable exchange synergy and aimed at promoting the circular economy.

These fully sustainable and self-sufficient pyrolytic plants are a commitment to innovation and ecology with a clear benefit for society, the economy and the environment. The 4 plants that are in preliminary design, with a treatment capacity of 10,000 tons of end-of-life tire chips per year, will have a modular design, and will occupy a space of 8,000-10,000 m2. The total investment per plant will be €12 million. During its construction, 60 direct and 100 indirect jobs would be generated, and 30 jobs for its operation.

Greenval currently has a demonstration plant in Zaragoza with a processing capacity of 5,000 tons/year of end-of-life tire chips.

To learn more about the topic, please proceed to TNU’s website.