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Wastefront, a Norwegian company, is advancing efforts to convert end-of-life tires into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) with a new commercial plant in Sunderland, UK. The facility aims to produce biofuel that can be used in aviation without relying on imports, positioning Wastefront as a key player in the UK's SAF industry.

Vianney Vales, CEO of Wastefront AS, a Norwegian company building a Waste-to-Fuel business in Sunderland, highlights the significance of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in an interview with The Northern Echo. The UK Government’s plan for 10 percent of all jet fuel to be SAF by 2030 is a major boost for the region’s green economy. The SAF mandate, set to become law in January 2025, faces challenges due to insufficient feedstock and high demand. Currently, global SAF supply is at two million metric tons, while demand is growing at 45 percent annually, with commitments from over 40 airlines.

According to Wastefront’s latest press release, the company will achieve significantly higher CO2 reductions than anticipated, following an updated Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) by independent expert DNV. Wastefront’s Port of Sunderland plant was already considered a climate milestone for handling end-of-life tyres (ELTs), a significantly under-reported source of pollution. Following DNV’s new assessment – covering construction, operation, and decommissioning – the plant’s environmental benefits are now even more pronounced than before. The top-line environmental improvements include:

Wastefront AS has been granted an environmental permit for their flagship site at the Port of Sunderland. The decision was made Thursday 31 August 2023 by the Environment Agency and clears the way for the next stage in the process, as Wastefront works toward having the site fully operational by 2026. Commenting on the news, Wastefront CEO Vianney Vales said: “Wastefront’s work is timely and urgent; our Blueprint will solve the disposal of an estimated 31 million metric tonnes of end-of-life tires annually, which is currently a concerningly dense source of both emissions and waste.

Wastefront AS, the Norwegian waste tire recycling company, announced a strategic partnership with global energy storage infrastructure provider VTTI, for investment of up to USD 43 million and an agreement to reach a final investment decision for eight global sites within a five year period. VTTI – backed by leading energy and infrastructure players Vitol, IFM Investors and ADNOC (the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company) – is one of the world’s largest independent energy storage infrastructure providers with key locations around the world. The investment in Wastefront and planned investments in future plants are part of VTTI’s global growth strategy in which circular products are an important pillar, with an ambition to conduct more than 50% of its activities in new and transitional energy sources by 2028.

Wastefront AS has announced a significant partnership with Weber & Schaer, one of Europe's largest distributors of rubber industry products, for the offtake and on-sale of their Recovered Carbon Black (rCB). According to Wastefront, this agreement secures a fully circular supply chain for end-of-life tires (ELTs) in the UK. The deal initially covers a minimum of 35% of rCB produced at Wastefront's Sunderland plant, with potential for future expansion. By manufacturing renewable fuels and new tires using ELTs and rCB, Wastefront moves closer to its goal of creating a Green Global Industrial Platform. With Weber & Schaer's expertise in rubber, carbon black, plastic, and adhesives distribution across Europe, Wastefront's ELT solution contributes to the global circular economy while expanding into new markets.

Wastefront AS – a Norwegian waste tire recycling company – in collaboration with leading Swedish chemical engineering company Hulteberg Chemistry & Engineering AB – announced that it has been awarded a €2 million grant from Eureka Eurostars, the world’s largest funding-program for business collaborations in creating innovative products for commercialisation, and the Norwegian Research Council and the Swedish Innovation Agency. The total project-funding amounts to €2.076 million: €1.038 million from Eurostars and €1.038 million from project partners.

On 7 July, Newcastle University and Wastefront announced their partnership that will focus on the characterisation and enhancement of Wastefront’s recovered carbon black (rCB). As one of the UK’s top universities and a world leader in sustainability, Newcastle University’s partnership with Wastefront will see cutting-edge industry innovation emerge from research conceived in the North of England - ensuring the region is at the forefront of progressing circularity across Europe.

Wastefront AS, a waste tire recycling company based in Oslo, has announced an agreement with Dubai-based tire company Gateway Resources that guarantees the complete supply of end-of-life-tires for Wastefront’s Port of Sunderland plant