Life for Tyres (L4T) – a busines group specialised in the conversion of end-of-life tires into advanced biofuel feedstock and high quality secondary raw materials – announced the opening of its first plant in Puertollano (Spain). The plant upcycles end-of-life tires (ELTs) into high quality secondary commodities, such as advanced biofuel feedstock, recovered carbon black and scrap steel, using a cutting-edge and proprietary technology. With an investment of 33 million euros and an annual processing of 27,000 tons of waste tires, the plant is the largest and most advanced ever built in Europe.

The plant's inauguration is the result of more than 10 years of research, industrial testing and operational improvements, and represents a significant milestone for L4T while bringing highly promising new upcycling opportunities for the tire industry. Using proprietary technology developed in partnership with CURTI Group and protected by five patents, the plant produces high-quality end-products, which include advanced biofuel feedstock and circular depolymerization oil, both certified by the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC).

According to L4T, its technology offers a fully circular and profitable solution to the waste tires, which represent one of the most challenging waste streams globally. The Puertollano plant will reduce the carbon footprint by saving annually over 52,000 tons of CO2 equivalent, helping decarbonize the tire and energy sector while contributing to a more sustainable and resilient society.

This circular economy investment has created 38 high value-added direct jobs for the city of Puertollano, following the construction phase of the project, which generated direct employment for more than 150 workers and provided indirect employment opportunities for over 100 more individuals. The site is ideally located, Puertollano being one of the key Spanish industrial and energy centres and one of the new green technology hubs, with railway access for regional and international distribution.

The Puertollano plant also represents a new testimony of Spain’s commitment and leading role in the green and circular economy. The project benefited from strong support from local authorities and the Spanish Government from inception. The company received 6.755 million euros grant funding from the Regional Incentives Programme and 3.575 million euros grant funding from the Fair Transition Institute for productive investment projects, which promote investment, creation of new jobs, competitiveness and economic growth. Life for Tyres also counts with the 2.4 million euros investment from Spanish Sovereign wealth fund SEPIDES - “State Industrial Holding Company (SEPI)” as well as with 1.4 million euros investment from Financial Institute of Castilla-La-Mancha.

To read the full press release, please proceed to L4T’s LinkedIn page.