News: Tire Recycling & Pyrolysis

Fornnax Technology, a renowned pioneering force in the industry of tyre recycling solutions, has yet again demonstrated its commitment to excellence by attaining the prestigious Best Tyre Recycling Industry Supplier Award at the Recircle Awards 2023. The award ceremony, a highlight of the Futurmotive Expo & Talks Event held in Bologna, Italy on Thursday, November 16, 2023, celebrated industry leaders and innovators contributing significantly to sustainable practices in the tire recycling sector.

TRS Tyres Recycling Sud, in collaboration with Rub-Lab and Ecopneus, has unveiled a new asphalt stretch at its Balvano plant, constructed using rubber powder derived from end-of-life tires (ELT). The Rubberap project, a joint initiative, showcases an innovative and sustainable use of resources, promising enhanced safety, environmental sustainability, and optimal mechanical performance. The specially engineered powder, derived from recycled rubber, improves compatibility with bitumen, requiring no adaptation of asphalt plants or specific machinery for paving. This technology has been successfully tested in municipal road sections, emphasizing its eco-performance, superior resistance to traffic stresses, and long-lasting acoustic and mechanical benefits.

Pyrum Innovations AG (Pyrum) – a pioneering company that sustainably recycles used tires with its globally patented, unique pyrolysis technology – has once again demonstrated the sustainability of its business model proven. A scientific study by the Fraunhofer Institute recently published in the renowned journal “Resources, Conservation and Recycling” shows that Pyrum's pyrolysis process offers significant CO2 savings compared to conventional methods.

Porous Lane, a pioneering venture led by Associate Professor Mahdi Disfani and Dr Amir Mehdizadeh, is revolutionizing the pavement and construction industry in Australia by transforming used tires from landfills into robust and permeable pavements. This technology aims to create flood-resistant cities, enhance water quality, and divert waste from landfills. The founders, supported by the University of Melbourne's Translating Research at Melbourne (TRAM) programs, participated in the 2019 TRAM Track and are currently part of the 2023 TRAM Air cohort, focusing on refining their venture's investibility.

At its Board meeting of 9 November, ETRMA Members elected Chris Delaney of Goodyear as President of the Association for a two-year term of office starting on 1 January 2024. Mr Delaney is President EMEA of the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company and currently serves on the Board of ETRMA. Dr Ralf Holschumacher of the German Rubber Industry Association (WDK) was elected Vice President at the meeting.

On November 9, the European tyre industry welcomed European Parliament Plenary vote and the progress made towards delivering meaningful tyre abrasion limits under the auspices of Euro 7. “The European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers’ Association (ETRMA) is committed to setting tyre abrasion limits that are global and based on a reliable and reproducible test method,” said Adam McCarthy, Secretary General of ETRMA.

With new European partners, Allianz Zukunft Reifen (AZuR) is gaining additional expertise in pioneering technological fields of the tire circular economy. Among AZuR’s new partners is now Weibold – tire recycling and pyrolysis consulting company from Austria. Beside this, AZuR-Network joined: The Bavarian CTS Bitumen is the technology leader in the rubber modification of bitumen for road construction.

During the recent 2023 Recircle Awards ceremony on the 16th of November 2023, 20 winners were announced. Among the winners, a very-well deserved recognition received Jean-Paul Bouysset, Senior Consultant for Rubber Products Pyrolysis at the European Tyre Recycling Association (ETRA), who received a Lifetime Achievement Award 2023.

According to the latest Pyrum Innovations AG’s (Pyrum) press release, Pyrum and BASF Antwerpen NV have signed a new cooperation agreement on November 15, 2023. This provides for a conditional loan of initially EUR 25 million, available in tranches, which is intended to serve as start-up financing for the implementation of Pyrum Innovations AG's specific project pipeline by 2026. The subject of the agreement is the planning, project planning and construction of at least three new plants with an annual capacity of 20,000 tons of used tires each using the funds made available. Pyrum plans to use the funds in particular for the construction of the announced plant in Saarland as well as the equity contribution and co-financing of up to five of the projects announced in recent months with financially strong partners.