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Bolder Signs Antwerp Agreement

Ewan Scott
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Bolder Signs Antwerp Agreement

With grant support from the EU Innovation Fund, Bolder’s planned Antwerp facility will help redefine sustainable tyre manufacturing at an unprecedented scale

Bolder Industries Belgium, an affiliate of US-based Bolder Industries, LLC, the circular solutions provider for the rubber, plastics, and petrochemical industries, formally signed a landmark €32 million grant agreement with the European Commission’s EU Innovation Fund, one of the world’s largest funding programs supporting the deployment of innovative, low-carbon technologies at scale. The grant award was confirmed following rigorous due diligence by the EU Innovation Fund and will support the construction of Bolder’s new, state-of-the-art facility in Antwerp, Belgium.  This milestone further solidifies Bolder’s position as a global leader in circular economy solutions and supports the company’s continued expansion following a transformative growth investment by Tiger Infrastructure Partners earlier in the year.

Bolder’s next-generation, 55,152-square-meter facility will be strategically located at the Port of Antwerp and will feature four proprietary reactors and a cutting-edge finishing line capable of processing over 6 million end-of-life tyres annually to produce the company’s flagship sustainable raw materials, BolderBlack™ and BolderOil™.The new facility will have an installed capacity to produce nearly 18,000 metric tons (MT) annually of BolderBlack, its widely validated alternative to virgin carbon black used in more than 3,000 commercial products, offering significant carbon footprint reductions. It will also produce nearly 21,000 MT of BolderOil, its sustainable liquid resource that replaces traditional fossil-based oils in petrochemical applications, contributing to a circular economy in diverse industries. Bolder’s circular process delivers more than an 80 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional production methods. Bolder’s products serve global tyre manufacturers as well as petrochemical and renewable fuel companies, including the Netherlands-based industrial conglomerate, Profiltra.

Profiltra CEO Patrick Cobussen highlighted the importance of sustainable raw materials, adding, “Environmental responsibility is at the core of our values. Our partnership with Bolder Industries is a direct response to the increasing demand from our customers for sustainable options. Bolder’s circular materials enable us to meet this demand while upholding our commitment to quality and performance.”

Construction of the Port of Antwerp facility is slated to begin in 2026, with full operational capacity projected in Q2 2027. Powered by renewable energy, including wind and recovered heat, the project embodies bold environmental stewardship. The project also represents a substantial investment in Flanders that is expected to create at least 50 new jobs in the region. This is only the first phase of Bolder’s plan in Antwerp, with future expansion expected to more than double the facility’s capacity.

“Tiger Infrastructure has a proven track record of helping US infrastructure platforms like Bolder expand into Europe, and vice versa”, said Emil W. Henry, Jr., CEO and CIO of Tiger Infrastructure Partners. “We are excited to support Bolder’s growth by investing our capital to construct new circular economy projects like Antwerp in both the US and Europe in collaboration with key customers and funding sources like the EU Innovation Fund.”  

TNU – Spain Needs to Do Better

Ewan Scott
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TNU – Spain Needs to Do Better

Tratamiento Neumáticos Usados ​​(TNU) recently warned about the structural challenges of tyre recycling in Spain, an efficient collection and treatment model that, however, faces its greatest obstacle in the lack of actual consumption of recycled products, the limited implementation of green public procurement, and an increasingly demanding European regulatory framework

In its press release, TNU highlighted the lack of markets for tyre derived materials and called for stronger action by the public sector to improve market acceptance. TNU also highlighted the problem arising from the crumb rubber infill ban.

An effective model… facing an imminent bottleneck

Spain recycles 100% of the collected ELT, reusing them, recovering them for energy, or transforming them into new products. The currently existing Collective Systems of Extended Producer Responsibility, such as TNU, together manage more than 31,800 generation points throughout the country.

TNU Tyres Collection
TNU says that not enough is done to ensure markets for tyre derived materials

In 2023 alone, TNU avoided the emission of more than 349,000 tons of CO₂, saved 111 million litres of oil, and the consumption of 9.345 billion Liters of water. However, the problem lies not in the recycling process, but in the insufficient reintegration of these materials into the market.

The regulatory threat to rubber granules

Recycled rubber, whose main destination has been as infill in artificial turf fields, faces a radical transformation. EU Regulation 2023/2055 prohibits its sale starting in October 2031, classifying it as an intentionally released microplastic. This jeopardises the fate of approximately 60,000 tons of granules per year if a national action plan is not developed.

One of the most promising alternatives is pyrolysis, a thermal process that transforms rubber into reusable products such as carbon black and fuels.

Currently, there are only two operating plants in Zaragoza and Alcázar de San Juan, with very limited capacity compared to the necessary volume. The development of this technology requires institutional support, investment in R&D, and specific industrial plans.

Simultaneously, the collection schemes are promoting alternatives such as eco-asphalts, street furniture, battery components, and industrial pigments, but these solutions must have the support of the public and private sectors.

Secondary raw materials… without effective demand

Each tyre contains rubber (43%), steel (14%), textile fibres (14%), and carbon black (28%), all of which are recyclable. However, the lack of stable markets and incentive policies limits their use.

Retreading, which reuses up to 80% of the original tyre and reduces emissions by 69%, according to Miguel Hernández University, has lost more than 50% of its production since 2004. Its performance, certified even for aeronautical use, is being displaced by low-cost imported tyres.

What’s going wrong?

Despite the favourable regulatory framework—Law 7/2022 on waste and contaminated soil for a circular economy and Royal Decree 1619/2005 on end-of-life tyres and its revision in Royal Decree 731/2020—the effective implementation of green public procurement and the waste hierarchy is still limited.

Factors such as:

• The lack of mandatory green clauses in public contracts,

• Unfair competition from non-recycled products,

• The absence of differentiated labelling for recycled products, and low consumer awareness are hindering its use.

Leading by example from the public sector

TNU urgently calls on all administrations and stakeholders in the sector to promote a real circular economy. They propose:

• Applying mandatory environmental clauses in public procurement,

• Incorporating retreaded tyres into institutional fleets,

• Investing in recovery infrastructure such as pyrolysis,

• Developing awareness campaigns on recycled materials.

TIA Statement on TDA

Ewan Scott
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TIA Statement on TDA

A TIA Statement on lends support to TDA (tyre derived aggregate) in roadways, bridges and water filtration

In the Statement, TIA outline the main uses they envisage for TDA.

All TDA applications described in the document use material that meets the ASTM D6270-B standard, ensuring consistent performance across road construction, structural backfill, and stormwater systems.

The document outlines TIA’s initiative to advance and promote the use of TDA in three primary application categories:

  1.  Roads – Subgrade stabilization, frost protection, and drainage
  2.  Walls and Bridge Structures – Lightweight backfill for bridge abutments and retaining walls
  3.  Water Management Systems – Stormwater detention, infiltration, and runoff contaminant removal

The Statement outlines the positive gains from the use of TDA in mitigating poor subgrade conditions in roadways. TDA addresses issues around drainage and freeze-thaw cycles that can contribute to potholing and surface deterioration.

In walls and bridge abutments –Conventional soils used as backfill behind retaining walls and bridge abutments exert high lateral loads, particularly when saturated. Freeze-thaw cycles can further destabilize structures through moisture expansion and soil creep, often resulting in premature wall failure.

 TDA, in compliance with ASTM D6270-B, is an ideal lightweight backfill material that reduces lateral static pressure—more than 50% less than traditional soil—and promotes rapid drainage. These characteristics help mitigate structural stress and prolong service life

In Water Management – the Stormwater Detention and Pollutant Capture Challenge: Urban runoff from rain events carries a high load of pollutants during the “first flush.” Traditional stormwater systems often lack the capacity to capture, retain, and filter this initial surge, resulting in flooding, erosion, and contamination of natural waterways

TDA, also compliant with ASTM D6270-B, serves as a cost-effective, high capacity medium for underground stormwater detention and infiltration systems. With the ability to store approximately 14 cubic feet of water per cubic yard, it also  filters contaminants such as oil, heavy metals, and tyre wear particles from roadway runoff.

b not only aids in water quantity control but also supports water quality goals by serving as a filtration medium for pollutants commonly found in urban runoff.

TIA concludes that TDA is a proven, sustainable, and performance-enhancing material for infrastructure projects. All TDA described in the statement meets ASTM D6270-B standards, providing reliable and consistent performance in roadbeds, retaining structures, and stormwater systems.

TIA states that its commitment to advancing TDA usage is driven by its potential to solve real world engineering problems while providing an environmentally responsible outlet for recycled tyres. TDA’s use in roads, walls, and water systems presents a compelling case for its broader adoption in public and private sector projects. TIA will continue working with engineers, public agencies, and industry stakeholders to document performance, support education, and encourage widespread implementation of this valuable resource.

Gujarat PCB Allows Continuous Pyrolysis Plants

Satnam Singh
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Gujarat PCB Allows Continuous Pyrolysis Plants

The Government of the western Indian state of Gujarat, through the State PCB, has officially allowed the establishment of continuous pyrolysis plants for tyre recycling in the state

These facilities will be permitted to produce tyre pyrolysis oil and recovered carbon black.

Tyre Pyrolysis Oil (TPO) units have known to have been associated with significant environmental and public health concerns. Consequently, the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) has thus far not permitted the establishment or operation of such industries within the State of Gujarat.

“This approval comes after almost 13 years of a blanket ban imposed by GPCB on this process, making it a landmark moment for the industry,” informed Chetan Joshi, President, Tyre and Rubber Recyclers Association of India (TRRAI).

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), published Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) dated 16th January 2024 and has provided a detailed siting criteria, safety protocols, area requirements, environmental norms and monitoring mechanisms etc. for TPO (Tyre Pyrolysis Oil) units.

The guidelines acknowledge and distinguish between two primary technologies used for Tyre Pyrolysis Oil (TPO) production: the Advanced Batch Automated Process (ABAP) and the Continuous Process.

Although the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) issued by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) permits the operation of both ABAP and continuous tyre pyrolysis plants, it is widely recognised that continuous pyrolysis plants offer significant advantages over ABAP systems. These advantages are particularly notable in terms of reduced pollution potential and enhanced operational safety, making the continuous process a more environmentally sustainable and safer alternative for TPO production.

“It’s a huge step forward for the organised, sustainable growth of our sector in Gujarat,” believes Joshi.

In order to develop an environmentally sound and sustainable policy framework, a committee of experts was constituted on 18th January 2025 aiming to ensure a comprehensive and well- informed policy formulation with Chetan Joshi, President, TRRAI as one of the experts.

Following thorough deliberations with the Expert Committee on in the middle of March, and after holding detailed consultations with experienced stakeholder from the industry on 25/03/2025, the following decisions have been arrived at. These decisions are made with due diligence and guided by the precautionary principle, to prioritise environmental protection and public safety.

“Importantly, the order specifies that only continuous plants with a minimum capacity of 60 TPD will be permitted. This clearly indicates that only projects with sizeable investment and serious long-term commitment will be considered. There will be strict monitoring and enforcement, including the mandatory implementation of CPCB’s SOPs, ensuring that all operations adhere to best practices in health, safety, and emissions — benchmarked against global standards.”

SOP guidelines

As stipulated in CPCB SOP, only continuous type Tyre Pyrolysis Oil (TPO) units with a capacity of more than 60 TPD shall be permitted to be established and operated. The site to be set-up in a minimum land area of 7,000 square meters.

The TPO produced shall be sold only to authorised oil manufacturing companies as being done for the Bio-diesel and pyrolysis of plastic waste.

The charcoal generated from the process shall be utilised either in co-processing in the cement industry or its quality be upgraded to Recovered Carbon Black (RCB) and it may be used as raw material for manufacturing of new tyre and other process or shall be disposed of at authorized TSDF site.

Each operational TPO shall undertake an annual third-party audit form a recognized environmental laboratory or institution.

This decision shall be reviewed after a period of two years from the date of issuance of this order, based on environmental performance, compliance status, and any new regulatory directions or technical advancement.

Pyrum Appoints Brand Ambassador

Ewan Scott
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Pyrum Appoints Brand Ambassador

Felix Magath, a German football legend has  become a brand ambassador and investor of Pyrum Innovations AG

Football legend Felix Magath is joining Pyrum Innovations AG as brand ambassador and investor with immediate effect. The listed company based in Dillingen an der Saar is a technological pioneer in the field of pyrolysis and makes a significant contribution to the circular economy – especially in the recycling of end-of-life tyres and composite materials.

“I am convinced by the combination of technological pioneering spirit, entrepreneurial consistency and social relevance,” says Felix Magath. “I am looking forward to contributing my experience and my network to make Pyrum even better known – among investors, in industry and among political decision-makers. It is about making a real contribution to our country’s green tech offensive. We need companies like this to get back to the top of the world.”

Pascal Klein, CEO of Pyrum Innovations AG, also sees the partnership as a strong signal; “The fact that such a well-known personality as Felix Magath has chosen to actively support a young company like Pyrum is a great sign of confidence for us – and also a leap of faith. We hope that his charisma as a brand will help to bring our vision and technology closer to a broad public and decisively advance Pyrum.”

Thanks to its patented, energy-autonomous pyrolysis technology, Pyrum is able to recover high-quality raw materials such as oil, gas and carbon black from end-of-life tyres and plastic waste. According to the Fraunhofer Institute, CO₂ savings amount to 965 kg CO2 equivalent per tonne of used tyres – significantly above the previous industry average. Its customers and partners include BASF, Continental, Schwalbe, Michelin, Mercedes-Benz, Remondis and Suez. Pyrum has an international presence and is already working on ten new plants in Germany and abroad, which will be built in the medium term.

Re-Tyre CO2 Sardinian SAF Project

Ewan Scott
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Re-Tyre CO2 Sardinian SAF Project

The Sardinian Re-Tyre CO2 project  has been awarded European Innovation Funding to build a pyrolysis plant in Cagliari

The Re-Tyre CO2 project co-ordinated by Saras SPA Raffinerie Sarde. Saras SPA is a company involved in refining and renewable energy. Raffinerie Sarde is the company’s oil processing plant in Sardinia with a 15 million tonnes annual capacity.

The European Innovation Fund has awarded the company 9,309,027 Euros. The funding is for two years, and production is anticipated to start in 2029.

The new plant will be designed to create sustainable aviation fuel from recycled tyres.

Based in Cagliari, Sardinia, the plant is expected to process around 10,000 tonnes of tyres per annum once in production.

Italian regulations have been so strict that tyre pyrolysis had not made great inroads in the country. This is a sign that the door may be opening to pyrolysis, creating an opportunity to recoup the markets lost by the ban on crumb rubber infill.

The capacity of this project is not going to make a huge difference to the overall picture, but it is opening a door, and it may be the prelude to much larger projects in the future.

Environment Agency Finally Acting?

Ewan Scott
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Environment Agency Finally Acting?

The recent BBC tyre scandal broadcast has lit a fire under the Environment Agency that could finally bring about change – if you want it

The media, players in the recycling sector, and the TRA, BTMA and NTDA have been warning the Environment Agency of the issues around exports and T8 crime for years. Now, they appear to be doing something but then again, they are asking for information they have previously been provided with.

Now is the time to take your gripes and evidence about waste tyre crime to the Environment Agency. So do not miss the opportunity, ot this will just be a box ticking exercise.

The Environment Agency has [now] committed to delivering an internal review into its regulation of waste tyres and their export. The EA is asking for participants in the industry to communicate evidence to the internal review.

They ask that if anyone holds evidence, or believes they can contribute evidence to the internal review if they believe they hold any information which they feel may be relevant or shows suspected illegal activity. This evidence may be provided via the following routes: 

  1. Anonymously to the Environment Agency’s incident line on 0800 80 70 60
  2. Anonymously via Crimestoppers on their website or by phone on 0800 555 111
  3. Directly to the Waste Tyres Review Team by email at wastetyresreview@environment-agency.gov.uk
  4. Directly to the Waste Tyres Review Team at a stakeholder drop-in session from 11:00 am on 22 May 2025 in Birmingham City Centre

If anyone would like to attend the drop-in session on 22 May, please let the Environment Agency know  at wastetyresreview@environment-agency.gov.uk and they will provide further details on the meeting location, and arrange an arrival time. The Environment Agencye may provide staggered attendance times to accommodate the collection of any information provided.

If you would like to provide us with the contact details of any other parties that you believe may wish to provide information in person, we are happy to reach out and extend an invitation.

As noted below, we are not able to discuss the review, our position, or any provisional finding during this session. This is an opportunity to provide information for us to take into consideration as part of the review.

On the day, there will be secretarial support to take notes of any information provided verbally. These notes will be circulated following the session for agreement with those who chose to provide information in this way. Anyone who provides physical information to us on the day will be provided with a formal receipt.

The release concludes with this: 

“Please note that the Environment Agency is unable to provide details on any subsequent actions we may take in relation to the information provided, as this may form the basis for future enforcement action that might follow the review, in line with our published Enforcement and Sanctions Policy.”

TANA Hammerhead Increases Throughput

Ewan Scott
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TANA Hammerhead Increases Throughput

The new TANA Hammerhead high-capacity waste shredder has been designed to respond to the increasing volume demands of the circular economy value chain

The powerful, durable and versatile mobile shredder combines Tana’s proven technology with the growing development needs of customers in their day-to-day operations.

The new TANA Hammerhead shredder offers a new level of capacity, especially for shredding volume-based waste fractions, such as construction waste, municipal solid waste and green waste. The need is real: global municipal waste amounted to 2.01 billion tonnes in 2016 and is expected to increase to over 3.4 billion tonnes by 2050. 

The TANA Hammerhead has been designed for facilities and construction sites operating in the circular economy value chain, where high material flows are the most important factor in shredding operations. 

The TANA Hammerhead is based on customer feedback and their specific business needs, as well as on Tana’s long-term product development. 

Tana Hammerhead small
The Tana hammerhead gives a higher throughput on wood, car tyres, etc

The new shredder is based on the same technology as the TANA Shark shredder series, which is known for its high torque and power and has been continuously developed and refined over the past 20 years. The single-rotor TANA Hammerhead features an optimised transmission and control system to increase the shredding capacity. 

The key difference between the new TANA Hammerhead and previous TANA shredder models is its fast, 40 rpm rotor. This allows the TANA Hammerhead to process lightweight materials, such as municipal solid waste and wood, up to 30-50 percent faster than before, without compromising on torque. The new shredder can also shred more demanding materials, such as car tyres or mattresses, with ease. 

This combination makes the TANA Hammerhead the perfect tool for companies looking for a single shredder that can process several different waste fractions. 

The TANA Hammerhead shredder has been developed with user-friendliness, reliability and cost effectiveness in mind. TANA technology, which is already familiar to many customers, ensures smooth operation. At the same time, sharing service and spare parts with the TANA Shark series contributes to Tana’s own resource efficiency and streamlines the operations of the service network. 

In addition to performance, the TANA Hammerhead series offers customers flexibility and freedom of choice. The shredders in the series are available in electric versions that support the reduction of CO2 emissions and diesel versions that enable autonomous and location-independent processing. 

In Tana’s familiar style, different shredder models can be delivered according to customer needs, either as stationary units or mobile versions that move on tracks or rubber tyres and can be equipped with various options as requested. 

Deliveries of TANA Hammerhead shredders will begin in summer 2025. 

NEXEN TIRE Agreement with LD Carbon

Ewan Scott
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NEXEN TIRE Agreement with LD Carbon

NEXEN TIRE has announced that it has signed a long-term supply agreement with LD Carbon(LDC) Co., Ltd.

Through this partnership, NEXEN TIRE will use this collaboration to boost the adoption of LDC’s sustainable materials. By expanding the use of sustainable materials, NEXEN TIRE is improving its eco-friendly tire manufacturing capabilities.

The use of recovered carbon black is particularly significant because carbon black is a key component of a tyre’s raw materials and plays a critical role in tire strength and durability. Replacing petroleum-based carbon black with recycled alternatives is a strategic step that maintains product performance while advancing environmental sustainability. The Company has gradually increased its use of recovered carbon black, and with this deal, it hopes to further accelerate the transition to environmentally friendly raw materials.

NEXEN TIRE plans to use recovered carbon black from production facilities across the world, including China,  the Czech Republic, and factories in Korea. NEXEN TIRE is developing a circular resource structure guaranteeing a consistent supply of recycled materials and incorporating them into its global manufacturing chain. This initiative strengthens sustainability throughout the value chain, from raw material procurement to manufacturing, and aligns with the company’s commitment to improving worldwide sustainable management standards.

Strengthening a circular supply chain is also expected to boost NEXEN TIRE’s worldwide competitiveness. The European Union’s planned Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) will mandate the use of sustainable materials in tyre manufacture. By proactively establishing a sustainable raw material supply chain, NEXEN TIRE is well-positioned to strengthen its competitiveness, particularly in Europe, where the Company generates around 40% of total sales.

“Expanding the usage of recovered carbon black is a strategic step that demonstrates our commitment to ESG management and proactive response to global environmental concerns,” said Travis Kang, Global CEO of NEXEN TIRE. “We will continue to accelerate the transition to eco-friendly materials and establish a tyre manufacturing system that has a low environmental effect from production to disposal.”

India’s  CPCB  Gets Serious

Ewan Scott
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India’s  CPCB  Gets Serious

The Indian Central Pollution Control Board has mandated state pollution boards to strictly enforce new guidelines for tyre pyrolysis units, favouring the ‘Advanced Batch Automated Process.’

This aims to mitigate environmental risks by ensuring controlled operation and mitigating toxic emissions.

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has put state pollution boards on high alert, requiring them to rigorously enforce updated protocols for tyre pyrolysis units, according to announcements in the Indian media.

Despite ongoing pressure from the National Green Tribunal, and the introduction of Standard Operating Procedures, progress on limiting the activity of non-compliant pyrolysis operations has been slow.

January saw the CPCB stipulate only units using the Advanced Batch Automated Process could function, due to its controlled handling measures that minimize toxic emissions and fire hazards, yet some regions lag in compliance.

Currently, as a direct result of media pressure in the UK, the UK Environment Agency is visiting India to research the state of the pyrolysis sector. Of course, the import of waste tyres for pyrolysis is a breach of Indian regulations, but it continues unabated, apparently.

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