News: Tire Recycling & Pyrolysis

Pyrum Innovations AG (Pyrum), a pioneer in the sustainable recycling of end-of-life tires based on its patented pyrolysis technology, has begun expanding the production capacity of its pyrolysis plant at the company's headquarters in Dillingen/Saar. As of October 2021, the plant consists of one production line, which has been operating on an industrial scale since May 2020, producing pyrolysis oil, recovered carbon black (rCB) and pyrolysis gas from more than 7,000 tons of end-of-life tires during this period. The addition of two more production lines will triple processing capacity to approximately 20,000 tons of end-of-life tires per year. Excavation work for the foundations has already begun on the plant site. In addition, key components of the new plants have been ordered on a binding basis.

Western Rubber Products of Delta had recycled its 100 millionth end-of-life tire in British Columbia, just as Canada kicked off the 20th annual Waste Reduction Week. The company is a division Liberty Tire Recycling; according to its recent statement, it is the largest recycler of end-of-life tires in British Columbia, and since 1989 the company has been the province’s primary collector and recycler of used tires under Tire Stewardship B.C.

The Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) recently releasedd the Natural Rubber Trends, September 2021. ANRPC’s outlook for world natural rubber (NR) has been revised downward as member governments updated its figures for 2021. According to the Association, the lower growth anticipated in world production at 1.4% amounting to 13.787 million tons; while the world demand expects 8.9% growth to 14.116 million tonnes during 2021. Some downward adjustments made by member governments in their latest estimates. ANRPC says despite the positive market fundamental in the NR market, the prices of NR in physical and futures market have been bearish in September 2021 as compared to previous month. The average of FOB price in block rubber market have posted a contraction of 5% in Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur market. While price deviation between RSS-3 in Bangkok and RSS-4 in Kottayam has reduced from US$0.60 per kg to US$0.52 per kg towards the end of the month. Both markets also posted a lower average price during this same reference period.

Dedicated to the Waste Reduction Week in Canada this October, Kal Tire – the renown global mining and OTR tire manufacturer – told how the company facilitates recyclability of its products. According to Kal Tire, its Canadian mining customers can recycle their end-of-life tires through the company’s partnership with Liberty Tire Recycling, LLC. Kal tire highlights that giant mining tires can weigh over 5 metric tons and contain high quality steel and rubber which can be recycled and repurposed. After being shredded, the rubber crumb, mulch and recycled steel can be converted into landscaping mulch and molded rubber products such as gym floors, fencing products, rubberized bricks and more.

UK’s Tyre Recovery Association (TRA) says it endorses the move by the Australian government to prohibit the export of most unprocessed end-of-life tires from December 2021. The only exception will be casings suitable for retreading or validated reuse. Peter Taylor OBE, Secretary General of the TRA has urged DEFRA Secretary of state George Eustice MP to closely study this change in Australian law and consider whether the UK should follow a similar path. He went on:

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Rubber News magazine reports that the Malaysian conglomerate Petra Group is to invest $41.2 million to establish a Green Rubber business in the United Kingdom, according to a UK government statement. The magazine says one of the Kuala Lumpur-based group's flagship entities, Green Rubber offers DeLink technology for devulcanizing used rubber tires to provide sustainable raw materials. According to the source, the project will involve "the development of a production facility creating 110 jobs" and was among a series of climate-focused inward investments—together worth $13.3 billion—announced Oct. 19 by the UK government.

Bolder Industries – an American recover carbon black (rCB) producer – recently proudly to announced the ISO 9001:2015 certification for our Quality Management System at the company’s Maryville tire pyrolysis facility. The company says this is a significant but singular milestone on the journey to reinforce Boulder’s commitment to deliver consistent quality for its customers and safety for its employees. Circular solutions for the tire, rubber, and plastics industries are commercially available, and Bolder pinpoints its goal is to lead the way.

The European Recycling Industries’ Confederation (EuRIC) – the umbrella organization for European Recycling Industries – has been holding a series of webinars “Recyclers’ Talks” aimed at, among other important topics, end-of-life tire recycling and pyrolysis. On October 5, 2021, EuRIC held a webinar called “End-of-Waste: Time to Move Forward”. Among other topics, the webinar shed light on end-of-life tire management issues and practices.