News: Tire Recycling & Pyrolysis

SIGNUS is the major Spanish EPR program for end-of-life tires, which, in 2020 alone, managed 150,228 tons of end-of-life tires helping turn them into new useful products for different applications. The organization recently announced an adjustment to the structure of tire categories in its pricing table to adapt to the economic demands of the industry. Apart from its major role in the Spanish tire recycling industry, SIGNUS issues a monthly e-magazine called “Revista Ecovalor”. We recommend reading the magazine to everyone who is interested in the Spanish tire recycling and end-of-life tire management industry.

The Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) says its outlook of global natural rubber has improved further this month based on the preliminary updates given by Member Governments up to November 2021. Although the production in most producing countries is affected by adverse weather this month, the global production of NR is expected to grow by 2.1% to 13.882 million tonnes. The outlook on global demand remains positive with expansion by 8.7% to 14.076 million. The favorable market fundamental brought positive sentiments to the NR market.

ITOCHU Corporation, headquartered in Minato-ku, Tokyo, recently announced that it had agreed the acquisition of Murfitts Group Ltd, headquartered in Lakenheath, U.K., a tire recycling company based in the United Kingdom. The acquisition has been made through the ITOCHU subsidiary European Tyre Enterprise Limited (ETEL), a a tire wholesaler and retailer based in the U.K. In the United Kingdom, ETEL operates an extensive network of retail centers, under the well-known Kwik Fit brand, and nationwide wholesale tire distribution through Stapleton’s Tyre Services.

Kal Tire is one of the leaders worldwide in sustainable OTR and mining tire solutions. Recently, the company introduced the Ultra Repair™ technology that allows sending worn-out OTR and mining tires back into production. Kal Tire Repairs and Ultra Repairs work with customers to keep their fleet functioning and save money on tires. Kal Tire’s award-winning and proprietary Ultra Repair™ technology transforms end-of-life OTR tires that would otherwise be scrapped into like-new tires, while the company’s normal repairs increase uptime via scheduled, preventative maintenance. Kal Tire provides reliable quality thanks to its world-class facilities, industry-leading training, and stringent standards.

In the most recent Tyre & Rubber Recycling Podcast, Michelin and Bridgestone's Call to Action received a good response. Tyre & Rubber Recycling's editor Ewan Scott met with a number of pyrolysis operators and inventors after the Smithers rCB Conference to find out what they anticipated the impact will be on their industry. The 28th episode of the podcast features video comments from Thomas Sorensson from Enviro, as well as feedback from Rob Harper from CIRCTEC and Pascal Klein from Pyrum Innovations. It also features video links with Jens Elton Andersen of Windspace and Henrik Selstam of Wastefront, both of whom have large-scale start-up aspirations.

InvestChile is the Chilean government agency responsible for promoting Chile in the global market as a destination for foreign direct investment, serving as a bridge between the interests of overseas investors and the business opportunities the country offers, providing world-class services that are in line with Chile’s economic development policies. In December 2021, the Agency reported that as a part of its “European Roadshow”, InvestChile’s Managing Director Andrés Rodríguez Rowe, together with the head of the Investment Promotion Division, Salvatore Di Giovanni Vergara, met in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, with Maarten Van Randeraat, the owner of Granuband – an established tire recycling company operating in the EU and US.

Porous Lane, a new firm that uses University of Melbourne technology to create highly permeable pavements out of recycled tire rubber, is delivering water to the city's parks and gardens while also diverting garbage and reducing pollution in our rivers. Porous Lane uses research from the University of Melbourne to create permeable pavements out of used tires. These ecofriendly pavements filter rainwater to decrease stormwater runoff, promote healthy tree development, and prevent flooding in our urban environment. According to the University of Melbourne, Porous Lane pavements are less expensive, more durable, and simpler to maintain than its rivals, with the added bonus of containing at least 50% recycled content.

Pearl Global Limited – an Australia-based tire pyrolysis company – recently announced the appointment of Mr. David Wheeley as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) commencing in February 2022. Most recently David Wheeley has been General Manager of Cleanaway Waste Management’s Solid Waste Services in Queensland. Prior to this Mr. Wheeley has held a range of senior executives positions at Hynds Group, Hygrade Water and Holcim, according to Pearl Global’s press release.

In 2021, GENAN Ovar received the 2021 Environment Award (Premio Ambiente 2021) for modernizing, improving, and contributing to development of tire recycling industry in Portugal. Eduardo Gaspar, director of Automotive, presented the award to Rui Fernandes, plant manager of GENAN Ovar. The Fleet&Service Automobile Awards are given out based on the Magazine's internal criteria as well as the input of various market experts (stakeholders) throughout 2021, making it a significant milestone in the professional automotive sector in Portugal since 2017.