Marubeni Corporation, one of Japan’s largest trading companies, has announced its investment in Green Rubber Energy Company Limited (GRE), a company specializing in End-of-Life Tire (ELT) pyrolysis recycling in Thailand. This strategic investment aims to establish a sustainable tire recycling supply chain and mitigate the environmental impact associated with tire disposal.

Globally, approximately 30 million tons of tires are discarded each year, with many being disposed of through environmentally harmful methods such as landfilling and incineration. In response to increasing regulatory pressures on ELT disposal and the need for sustainable recycling solutions, Marubeni's investment in GRE underscores the importance of advancing recycling technologies that can effectively convert ELTs into valuable raw materials.

GRE has spent over a decade developing advanced technology to extract recovered carbon black (rCB) and tire pyrolysis oil (TPO) from ELTs. Historically, the quality of rCB was inconsistent due to impurities, which hindered its application in tire manufacturing. GRE's recent advancements have achieved stable production of high-quality rCB, making it a viable option for tire production.

Marubeni's investment will facilitate the creation of a comprehensive recycling supply chain in Thailand, integrating ELT collection, rCB and TPO production, and market expansion. Leveraging its extensive network, Marubeni will utilize its subsidiary B-Quik Co., Ltd., Thailand's largest car maintenance company, to supply collected ELTs to GRE. Additionally, Marubeni plans to enhance rCB purity through technology from RCB Nanotechnologies GmbH and expand sales through Marubeni Techno Rubber Co., Ltd.

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Tire recycling supply chain to be established by Marubeni in Thailand. | Image by Marubeni Corporation.

This initiative aligns with Marubeni's green strategy, part of its Mid-term Management Strategy GC2024, which focuses on building a sustainable value chain for rubber raw materials and products. Through this investment, Marubeni aims to contribute significantly to reducing the environmental impact of ELTs and promoting the use of renewable raw materials within the tire and rubber industry. The company envisions this project as a model for developing similar tire recycling operations in Japan, Southeast Asia, and other regions worldwide.

Find out more from Marubeni's original press release.