Pyrum Innovations has reported progress in the optimization of its recovered carbon black production in Dillingen while advancing tire recycling projects in the Czech Republic, Sweden and Greece. In its Q3 2026 investor update, CEO Pascal Klein said the company’s second milling and pelletizing line has increased stable throughput from about 750 kilograms per hour earlier this year to approximately 1,250–1,300 kilograms per hour following modifications, although this remains below the contracted capacity of 1,600 kilograms per hour. Pyrum has also received approval to operate the system around the clock, providing additional production time while a forced dosing system is developed to address the remaining bottleneck. At the same time, Pyrum has begun industrial production of a new recovered carbon black grade developed through its cooperation with Continental, while construction is progressing on the SUAS reTire plant in the Czech Republic. A Swedish project has received a EUR 24 million grant commitment, negotiations continue on a larger six-reactor facility in Greece, and Pyrum is working to close a EUR 10–15 million financing gap for its own planned plant in Perl-Besch.

Milling and pelletizing throughput improves

Pyrum said modifications carried out during the summer have significantly improved the performance of its second milling and pelletizing plant in Dillingen.

Earlier in 2026, the line was operating stably at around 750 kilograms of recovered carbon black per hour, less than half of its contracted capacity of 1,600 kilograms per hour.

Following optimization work, Pyrum now reports stable production of approximately 1,250–1,300 kilograms per hour, with the system occasionally reaching around 1,350 kilograms per hour.

Static dosing system remains principal bottleneck

The milling equipment itself can process up to approximately 2,000 kilograms per hour, while the pelletizer has demonstrated throughput of up to 1,750 kilograms per hour under suitable conditions.

According to Pyrum, the remaining limitation is the static dosing system located between the mill and pelletizer.

Unlike virgin carbon black, recovered carbon black can display different flow characteristics depending on aeration, storage conditions and material properties. This makes it difficult for a gravity-based dosing system to maintain a constant material flow.

Summer modifications raise production rate

The supplier modified the dosing system by installing equipment designed to remove air from the recovered carbon black, together with an agitator and additional measures to regulate material flow.

These changes increased stable throughput substantially but did not allow the plant to reach its full design capacity.

Pyrum said both the company and the equipment supplier have concluded that the current static dosing concept has reached its practical limit.

Forced dosing system planned

Pyrum now intends to replace the gravity-based dosing system with a forced dosing solution using mechanical equipment such as screws and agitators.

This configuration should allow the material flow to be actively controlled rather than depending on the natural flow characteristics of different recovered carbon black grades.

The company is currently evaluating suppliers and designs for the replacement system.

Dillingen receives approval for 24-hour operation

To compensate for the remaining throughput deficit, Pyrum has received authorization to operate the milling and pelletizing plant 24 hours per day instead of the previous 16 hours.

The additional production time increases the available operating window by 50%, allowing Pyrum to offset the lower hourly throughput while the permanent technical solution is developed.

New recovered carbon black grade enters industrial production

Pyrum also reported progress in the development of higher-performance recovered carbon black grades for use in tires.

The company began working with Continental under a joint development agreement in 2021 with the objective of developing new rCB grades suitable for larger-volume applications in passenger car and truck tires.

The development program produced what Pyrum initially referred to internally as “Golden rCB.” The resulting product development has since been divided into two grades called “New Standard” and “Advanced.”

New Standard rCB produced at Dillingen

Pyrum said the New Standard grade is now ready and has been transferred from development work into industrial production.

During the summer shutdown, the company modified reactor insulation, operating parameters, temperature profiles and residence times to enable production of the new material.

Following restart, Pyrum successfully produced the New Standard grade using one of its reactors while another reactor continued producing its established recovered carbon black.

New process also increases tire-derived oil output

According to Pyrum, the modified reactor conditions have produced several additional effects.

The company said tire-derived oil output has increased, while the New Standard recovered carbon black is softer and therefore requires less energy during milling.

The reactors also operate at lower temperatures and with shorter processing times. Gas production is somewhat lower, although Pyrum said lower electricity demand partly offsets the reduction in electricity generated from process gas.

Different rCB grades reinforce need for flexible dosing

The New Standard material has different flow characteristics from Pyrum’s existing recovered carbon black, further demonstrating the limitations of the current static dosing system.

Pyrum said a forced dosing system should allow the milling and pelletizing plant to handle multiple recovered carbon black grades with different physical properties.

This flexibility is also being considered for future Pyrum plants because the company expects its product portfolio to expand beyond the current basic and New Standard grades.

Pyrum builds strategic rubber granulate reserve

The company has also introduced measures intended to improve operating reliability at the Dillingen site.

Pyrum experienced several shredder failures during 2025 after foreign metal objects entered the equipment, resulting in extended interruptions while damaged shafts were repaired.

To reduce the impact of future failures, Pyrum now keeps two replacement shafts in stock and has built up a rubber granulate reserve sufficient for approximately 25 operating days.

A separate storage location near Dillingen is being rented from November to accommodate the emergency supply.

Czech tire recycling plant moves into construction

Pyrum said construction is progressing on the SUAS reTire tire recycling plant in Sokolov, Czech Republic.

The project represents Pyrum’s first plant sale to an external project. The plant purchase agreement has been signed, the initial payment has been made and approximately 70% of the project is financed through bank lending, according to the company.

Foundation work is underway, buildings have been ordered and long-lead equipment is being procured.

Czech plant targets March 2028 start-up

Pyrum currently expects the Czech plant to begin operation in March 2028.

The company intends to incorporate the new forced dosing technology into the project so that the plant can produce multiple recovered carbon black grades rather than being limited to Pyrum’s original product specification.

The dosing configuration must be selected in the coming months to remain aligned with the equipment procurement schedule.

EUR 24 million grant advances Swedish project

Pyrum also reported renewed momentum for its planned project with GreenTech Recycling Tires in Sweden.

The Swedish partner has received a grant commitment of EUR 24 million, significantly strengthening the project’s financing position.

Pyrum previously said the planned facility would have capacity to recycle approximately 22,700 tonnes of end-of-life tires annually.

The company now considers Sweden one of its priority development projects and expects further progress as financing and permitting move forward.

Greek project expanded to six reactors

The planned Pyrum project in Greece has also been enlarged following grant support totaling EUR 29.4 million.

The original concept was based on three thermolysis reactors, but the project has subsequently been redesigned for six reactors to meet the requirements associated with the funding.

Pyrum said the redesign work carried out during the first three quarters of 2026 has been completed and a final binding offer was submitted to the customer at the end of August.

Negotiations continue on Greek plant order

Commercial negotiations over the Greek project are continuing, including discussions over plant configuration and costs.

According to Pyrum, the grant conditions require the project company to place an order before the end of 2026.

The company therefore sees the Greek project as a potential second external plant order following the Czech Republic project, although no purchase agreement had been announced at the time of the Q3 update.

Perl-Besch project faces EUR 10–15 million financing gap

Pyrum’s own planned recycling plant in Perl-Besch, Germany, is progressing more slowly.

Klein said the project still faces a financing gap of approximately EUR 10–15 million, largely relating to required financial security rather than direct construction expenditure.

Pyrum has been discussing possible solutions with regional authorities and said a financing mechanism had been identified by late September or early October.

The company expects the remaining issue to be addressed by the end of 2026, although the required arrangements had not yet been finalized at the time of the investor update.

Pyrum expands focus from tire recycling to circular raw materials

The operational and project developments accompany Pyrum’s recently introduced corporate identity under the positioning “Rethink Resources.”

The company is increasingly presenting its tire recycling technology in the broader context of European raw material security and circularity, emphasizing its production of recovered carbon black, tire-derived oil and process gas from end-of-life tires.

Pyrum’s current industrial partners include Continental, Pirelli, Schwalbe and BASF, with the company seeking to expand its network of tire pyrolysis plants across Europe through its own facilities, joint ventures and technology sales.

Original information: Pyrum Innovations investor relations.