News: Tire Recycling & Pyrolysis

Messer will present gas solutions supporting the circular economy of tires at The Tire Cologne 2024, June 4-6, 2024, in Cologne, Germany. Messer, the world’s largest privately held industrial gas specialist, will take part in The Tire Cologne together with AZuR (Allianz Zukunft Reifen), a network committed to fostering a circular economy for tires. Messer’s booth will be centrally located in hall 7.1, booth A040 – B049, in the exhibition area dedicated to circular economy, where the latest technology solutions for the sustainable production and recycling of tires will be presented.

Neste, Marubeni Corporation and Resonac Corporation have entered into a cooperative agreement to enable the production of renewable olefins and derivatives. The cooperation involves Neste RE™, a Neste-produced renewable raw material, being used to manufacture products at leading Japanese chemical company Resonac’s Oita Complex in Japan. Marubeni, a major Japanese general trading and investment conglomerate, will coordinate all logistical arrangements from Neste to Resonac. Renewable Neste RE is a bio-based feedstock used in steam crackers. It is made from 100% renewable raw materials such as waste and residue oils and fats. Consisting of pure hydrocarbons, Neste RE can be used to replace conventional feedstock such as fossil naphtha in chemicals value chains, contributing to a reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

CSRC group's board has approved a partnership with Eco Infinic Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of SHEICO group, to invest in the recovered carbon black (rCB) business at the former site of Continental Carbon Company (CCC) Phenix plant. This joint venture aims to develop the North American market for recovered carbon black and commence production in 2026. According to CSRC, the new plant will be one of the largest in North America, with an annual capacity of 30,000 tons of rCB, 35,000 tons of tire pyrolysis oil (TPO), and 2,300 tons of steel wire. The joint venture will be 65% owned by Eco Infinic, with CSRC and CCC jointly holding 35%. Specifically, the capital contributions to the joint venture are as follows: CSRC will contribute USD 12,500,000 in cash for 21% of the shares; CCC will contribute assets worth USD 8,500,000 for 14% of the shares; and Eco Infinic will contribute USD 39,000,000 in cash for 65% of the shares.

Hanover will welcome Tire Technology x back on March 4, 5, and 6, 2025. Now in its 25th year, Tire Technology Expo remains the tire industry's essential annual event, gathering a global community of scientists, engineers, academics and professionals to share knowledge, learn about the latest industry developments, see new products, and shape the future of tire manufacturing and design.

Scandinavian Enviro Systems (Enviro) currently has an ownership stake of 8.78 percent in the joint venture that the company formed together with Antin Infrastructure Partners’ NextGen platform and which is supported by Michelin. Enviro's share of ownership will shift as the joint venture company is capitalized, Enviro is compensated for the achievement of certain milestones and depending on when Enviro exercises its option to buy into the company.

AZuR's new partner Werba-Chem is developing biodegradable additives from renewable raw materials for the climate-friendly production of high-quality tires and rubber products. According to AZuR's recent article, for over 70 years, Austrian company Werba-Chem GmbH has been a reliable partner to the industry. Originally a trading company, it has evolved into a globally sought-after provider of innovative products and solutions, helping customers across various sectors achieve sustainability gains. The self-developed additives and chemicals are key elements in many modern industrial processes, with Werba-Chem focusing on sustainable materials that can remain in use for as long as possible.

On May 21, 2024, UK-based ReTyre Ltd signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Indian Rubber Materials Research Institute (IRMRI), under the Indian Ministry of Commerce. This agreement involves ReTyre-Bharat Pvt. Ltd, ReTyre’s Indian division. The MOU focuses on technological research, product development, and mutual knowledge exchange. Mr. Shravan Bansal, Founder of ReTyre Ltd, stated: “With this MOU, ReTyre has taken a leap forwards in the strategic development of the company and its technology.” The collaboration with Siemens will support the introduction of their “recycling at source” technology in the tire recycling sector.

Michelin, one of the leading tire supplier for electric vehicles (EVs) in the U.S., is striving for fewer but better tires. EVs wear out tires faster due to their weight and torque, posing a challenge. Michelin aims to produce longer-lasting, environmentally friendly tires. By 2030, they plan to have 40% renewable and recyclable materials in their tires, and 100% by 2050. At a recent summit, Michelin showcased high-content sustainable material tires, set to go into production in 2025. These tires feature recycled steel, carbon black from end-of-life tires, and silica from rice husks, aiming to reduce environmental impact.

During the two-day Workshop on Plastics, Rubber and Recycling on October 1-2, 2024, in Valencia, AIMPLAS and ETRA are going to provide an environment of collaboration, learning and networking among industry professionals. The first day will be marked by parallel sessions including project presentations, networking opportunities and lab visits.