The Leading Journal for the Tyre Recycling Sector

Newsletter Sign-up

The Leading Journal for the Tyre Recycling Sector

Home Blog Page 3

Pyrum Extends Winkelmann’s Contract

Ewan Scott
-
0
Pyrum Extends Winkelmann’s Contract

Pyrum Innovations AG has announced that the Supervisory Board extended the contract with Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Kai Winkelmann until March 31, 2030, thus ensuring continuity in the management of the company

Kai Winkelmann has been with the company since February 2021 and was appointed to the Pyrum Executive Board as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for the first time on April 1, 2022. In his time at Pyrum to date, he has made a significant contribution to securing the company’s financing, including the successful capital increase last year. In his position on the Executive Board, Winkelmann is responsible for Finance, Compliance and IT.

Alf Schmidt, Chairman of the Supervisory Board said; “We are pleased about the contract extension of Kai Winkelmann, who has proven his skills and in-depth expertise in the financial sector and at the management level in recent years. Over the last four years, he has made a significant contribution to the development of the necessary administrative structures and to the success of Pyrum, and has promoted its rapid further development. We have confidence in his foresight and are convinced that Winkelmann will continue to play a central role in the successful implementation of the company’s goals in the years to come.”

Pyrum Innovations AG Preliminary Results for 2024

Ewan Scott
-
0
Pyrum Innovations AG Preliminary Results for 2024

Pyrum sees sales of EUR 2,017 thousand, up 76% on the previous year against a total output decline

Pyrum Innovations AG has published its trading update for the fourth quarter of 2024 and preliminary figures for the full year 2024. The company’s earnings and financial position in the 2024 financial year continued to be characterised by investments at the headquarters in Dillingen and for orders of system components with long delivery times for the new site in Perl-Besch. In addition, there were investments in the expansion of the workforce and the further development of the organisational structure.

Sales increased by 76 per cent year-on-year to EUR 2,017 thousand in the 2024 financial year (2023: EUR 1,147 thousand). Own work capitalised amounted to EUR 7,468 thousand (2023: EUR 11,712 thousand) as construction of the plant expansion in Dillingen and the new plant in Perl-Besch progressed according to plan. The decline corresponds to the lower cost of materials required to produce own work capitalised as the degree of completion of the plant expansion increases. As a result, total output fell by 20 per cent to EUR 10,194 thousand compared to the same period in the previous year (2023: EUR 12,799 thousand). Other operating income increased significantly year-on-year to EUR 1,210 thousand (2023: EUR 715 thousand) due to investment grants of EUR 760 thousand (2023: EUR 151 thousand) for the creation of jobs in Dillingen. The preliminary consolidated net result for the year amounted to EUR -10,883 thousand (2023: EUR -9,511 thousand). Available liquidity increased to EUR 11,741 thousand as at December 31, 2024 (December 31, 2023: EUR 4,275 thousand) due to the payment of two further loan tranches from BASF for the construction of the plant in Perl-Besch and the capital increase successfully completed in the fourth quarter of 2024.

Pascal Klein, CEO of Pyrum Innovations AG added; “The fourth quarter and the full year 2024 were primarily characterised by the expansion of our main plant in Dillingen and the further increase in personnel to implement our roll-out plan. The full-load tests on our two new production lines and their commissioning have now been successfully completed on schedule, meaning that the lines are now going into regular operation. In total, we have already produced over 1,200 tons of oil in our two new reactors and delivered it to BASF. We have also received approval from Continental to supply our rCB from the two new production lines. At the same time, we are continuing to invest in the expansion of new sites in Europe with our partners and in our own plant in Perl-Besch in order to further establish ourselves as an innovation leader.”

The Trading Update Q4 2024 of Pyrum Innovations AG is available on the company’s website at https://www.pyrum.net/en/investors/financial-publications/. The publication of the final figures and the Annual Report 2024 is scheduled for May 16, 2025.

The Tyre Scandal – BBC File on 4 Investigates

Ewan Scott
-
0
The Tyre Scandal – BBC File on 4 Investigates

After months of investigation and discussion, the BBC has finally produced its File on 4 investigation into what happens to the UK’s waste tyres

Listen now on BBC Sounds – or on BBC Radio 4 at 20:00 GMT on Tuesday 24 March and at 11:00 GMT on Wednesday 25 March – the programme is available for up to a year from the publication date.

If you are concerned about this issue , you can write to your MP, and quite a few recyclers are doing so. However, it has to be the MP for the constituency in which you live, not your business constituency if that is different.

For the most part, everyone in the tyre recycling sector knows what happens, but this takes the story to a wider audience. SourceMaterial an independent research group did a lot of groundwork to make this happen. They took the argument that Tyre and Rubber Recycling has been making for several years, to a wider audience. That wider audience can help increase pressure on DeFRA and the EA to act. Listeners will smile at Eddie, the tyre fitter, claiming that he had no idea what happened to the tyres he charged his customers £3 per tyre to dispose of. Pity they didn’t explain how much the rogue operators were charging to take the tyres away.

It is to their shame that DeFRA and the EA gave standard responses that essentially ignored the evidence presented to them. Plus ça change!

The derisory responses to questions by the T8 operator in Rochdale ( You can easily identify who this is with a quick search), exemplifies the problem, – everyone is doing it, so why not us? Tyre and Rubber Recycling was party to directing the investigating team to the T8 issues and it was refreshing to see that they did focus on the T8 abuse as part of the problem. Waste is a huge problem in the UK, not just tyre waste but plastics, household waste, paper waste etc. It is almost as if the Department responsible for waste was not fit for purpose – the reality is that DeFRA and the Environment Agency do not have the capacity to properly oversee waste management in the UK. This is evidenced by the reality of unmanageable household landfills, unrecycled exported plastics, and illegally treated waste tyre exports.

There is a theory that since the UK no longer has huge waste tyre piles, that there is no problem. Therefore, nothing needs doing. Another theory is that DeFRA and the EA are absolutely aware of what is going on but have refused to act, or have held back acting because a ban on the export of whole waste tyres, or a ban on the export of waste tyres to India would result in an environmental disaster in the UK as we do not have the capacity, not the markets to treat the waste tyre arisings domestically.

Below are a couple of links that readers may find interesting. The first is all over Youtube, the second has been used by the TRA to highlight the problem, and has been sent to the EA and DeFRA.

There is another video, which we would like to link to showing a UK operator knowingly baling and shipping to India for pyrolysis and boasting about it -we have held back on that link for legal reasons.

TRA Letter to DeFRA

Ewan Scott
-
0
TRA Letter to DeFRA

The tyre industry representatives from The Imported Tyre Manufacturers’ Association, The British Tyre Manufacturers’ Association, The National Tyre Distributors’ Association, and the Tyre Recovery Association wrote to DeFRA Secretary of State The Rt. Hon. Steve Reed MP

The letter urged the government to recognise what needs to be done to achieve our ambitions for a timely Circular Economy in our sector.

Dear Secretary of State,

We write to you on behalf of the Tyre Industry of the UK. The trade bodies we lead represent, manufacturers, retailers, distributors, collectors and reprocessors of tyres. We look forward to your engagement on the issues we raise, issues that have immediate bearing on the objectives you and the Labour government have set to protect nature and the environment. Specifically, the agenda you set your civil servants on arrival at DeFRA to create a roadmap to take us to a zero-waste economy. 

For the last quarter of a century we have been promoting, and encouraging our members and our national regulators towards, an economy where resources are reused and recycled, creating new jobs and investment to protect nature and reduce our environmental impact. We very much welcome your ambition to support sustainable economic growth by driving up resource efficiency and reducing emissions and waste. 

The rapid review of the EIP you announced at the end of July is a welcome opportunity to revitalise a stalled waste tyre policy process. Your political predecessors in DeFRA spoke of the creation of a circular economy. Each of our trade bodies have championed steps and measures that would advance a circular economy and will play an essential part in the delivery of your zero-waste vision. Disappointingly, despite apparent political ambition for change, we are now in October 2024 and the necessary political action has not followed the welcome rhetoric when it comes to UK waste tyre management.  

The EIP is a moment to energise the UK’s tyre waste and recycling industries. But action can be taken now, before the completion of the EIP review. There is no need to wait for a new roadmap on these specifics. 

As stated in the TRA’s letter to you dated 18 July, over 40 million used tyres are processed annually in the UK. Latest figures show more than 300,000 tons of UK end-of-life tyre are exported per annum, which is far too many given that the UK has at least 150,000 tons of idle domestic processing capacity. This must be reflected in the EIP and any roadmap to create a zero-waste economy. What our members need, however, is action now. Not new action but the implementation of the rules that have been stalled. 

• Ending T8 exemptions (announced some years ago, but no action has followed. Scottish authorities ended T8 exemption in 2018)

• Ending exports of whole end-of-life car tyres (ELTs) (as Australia has demonstrated, a simple and effective means of addressing environmental concerns and ensuring domestic capability)

Given the industry consensus, government’s commitment to end T8 exemptions and the subsequent initiation of the necessary parliamentary process, we would like to know if you are ready to consider using an ‘operational condition’, available to you as Secretary of State, to stop the current inadequate regulatory regime British tyre operators are working under?

Using such a device will save parliamentary time and demonstrate an immediate success for you.  To make this happen, we hope you are willing to do what your recent predecessors did not, ask your officials to update you on this policy and present the procedures open to you to immediately take steps to progress the aims you have set your department. 

At the end of last month, you told the Labour Party conference that as this government will “end the throwaway society by creating new jobs reusing and recycling materials as we work towards a circular economy that protects nature and our precious climate.” As the electric vehicle revolution continues apace the weight of used tyre waste that needs to be managed will also increase. The UK has the domestic capability to handle more of that waste. Yet current regulations encourage exports, to the detriment of our recycling industry and its future development. Further, the measures we are calling for will provide investors with the confidence required to deliver the next generation of technological solutions and strengthen domestic resilience. Shred only export immediately places the waste product in a more regulated and accountable framework, domestically and abroad (as Australia has demonstrated). Irresponsible export of waste is no longer acceptable. 

Now is the time to take the urgent action necessary for the national interest.

We look forward to your reply and would welcome the opportunity to provide more detail to you in a personal briefing, if necessary. 

The letter was signed by

Peter Taylor OBE Secretary General, TRA, with the support of: Alfred Graham of The Imported Tyre Manufacturers’ Association, Darren Lindsey of The British Tyre Manufacturers’ Association and Stefan Hay of The National Tyre Distributors’ Association

Comment:

This timely letter comes as Radio 4 prepares to tell part of the story of the UK’s Waste Tyre scandal.

Last year the UK officially sent over 370,000 tons of waste tyres to India, it has now been overtaken as a source by the USA with some 513,840 tons – The total official waste tyre imports into India amount to over 1.5 million tons.

India’s ATMA claims that India is not recycling its own tyres and is pressurising the Indian government to ban the import of whole waste tyres, potentially banning all imports until the domestic market is dealt with.

If India acts before the UK, we may face a huge waste tyre problem

Boral Introduces 1st Australian Asphalt from OTR Rubber

Ewan Scott
-
0
Boral Introduces 1st Australian Asphalt from OTR Rubber

Boral has launched an Australian-first proprietary crumbed rubber asphalt bitumen derived from Off the Road (OTR) tyres, claiming the new product can extend pavement life up to twice that of conventional road treatments

The treatment of OTR tyres is an issue that Tyre Stewardship Australia has highlighted in the past.  The mines across Australia have huge stockpiles of these tyres , which are a logistical challenge to recycle.

Boral Rubberised asphalt from OTR tyres
Boral Rubberised asphalt from OTR tyres

Boral has developed the asphalt using ELT from front-end loaders and quarry haul dump trucks from its own sites.

According to Boral, the high-binder crumbed rubber asphalt surfacing has superior cracking resistance due to anti-oxidation properties that combat UV damage – the primary failure mode of residential roads. Approximately two-thirds of an OTR tyre is recovered for the mix, equating to about 400 kilograms per tyre.

The product follows Boral’s involvement in an Australian Flexible Pavement Association (AfPA) project with Tyre Stewardship Australia that aimed to find the optimum OTR-derived asphalt mix for more sustainable roads.

Demonstrations were held across three sites, paving 7,000 square metres of local roads using 10,000 kilograms of OTR-derived crumbed rubber from vehicles at Boral’s West Burleigh Quarry. The company reported that the equivalent of 25 large earthmover tyres were diverted from landfill for the project.

“Finding ways to be more sustainable and drive a more circular economy is central to what we do at Boral,” said Richard Pearson, Executive General Manager Asphalt at Boral.

“We welcome more councils and all levels of government to embed recycled materials into their projects, including the use of crumbed rubber asphalt roads,” Pearson added.

Tyre and Rubber Recycling

  • 15 Blackthorn Close,

Niutech Tyre Recycling Project Achieves International ISCC EU/PLUS Dual Certifications

Ewan Scott
-
0
Niutech Tyre Recycling Project Achieves International ISCC EU/PLUS Dual Certifications

International Sustainability and Carbon Certification – ISCC – is one of the most authoritative, valuable and influential green certificates in sustainability

It is the first standard that complies with the EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED), and has been well recognised by all EU member states and adopted by more than 4,800 enterprises in over 100 countries. The ISCC EU of which is the mandatory certification for bioenergy and its relative raw materials to enter the EU market, and the ISCC PLUS represents that its certified products not only can meet the strict sustainability standards, but also can be continuously tested and adjusted based on the risk indicators to ensure all-around high quality and reliability, and realize green management of full life cycle.

Recently, Niutech’s tyre recycling project, utilising its next-generation intelligent continuous production line, successfully obtained both ISCC EU and ISCC PLUS certifications. This milestone confirms that the quality of the pyrolysis products from Niutech’s production line meets the stringent requirements for entry into the global high-end green renewable energy market. Against the backdrop of accelerating EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) implementation, Niutech’s advanced continuous pyrolysis technology, equipment, and integrated operational solutions have emerged as a preferred choice. This achievement sets a successful precedent for circular economy enterprises in enhancing international competitiveness, expanding high value-added markets, and achieving global green trade and carbon emission trading.

Technological innovation underpins the sustainability of products and empowers circular economy enterprises in global market competition. As China’s standard-setter and technology pioneer in pyrolysis, Niutech adheres to “high-end, intelligent, and green development strategy”. The company has actively led the formulation of multiple national and industry standards”, demonstrated deep insights into global industrial policies, and leveraged its first-mover advantages as a listed enterprise to compete in high-end international markets. With extensive practical experience worldwide, Niutech has a reputation for supporting clients in building million-ton-level intelligent pyrolysis plants.

This ISCC dual certification marks another successful practice of complete set of technology and equipment for Niutech’s Industrial Continuous Low-Temperature Pyrolysis Technology and Equipment for tyre recycling, which won the National Science and Technology Progress Award, and it also signifies international recognition of the company’s core technology and systems by a globally authoritative sustainability organisation. In the future, Niutech will continue to make efforts in the field of recycling, promote research and development of advanced pyrolysis technology, cultivate new driving forces to empower the industry’s high-quality development, and contribute to the global circular economy and sustainable development.

Hana, the RFID Company Joins the Circular Rubber Platform

Ewan Scott
-
0
Hana, the RFID Company Joins the Circular Rubber Platform

Hana Technologies, Inc., a global leader in the design and manufacturing of embedable RFID tyre tags, is proud to announce its membership in the Circular Rubber Platform, making it the first RFID company to join this initiative

This milestone reinforces Hana RFID’s long-standing commitment to sustainability and circularity in the tiye and rubber industry.

Since 2005, Hana RFID has pioneered RFID-enabled tyre traceability, supporting circularity by allowing seamless tracking from cradle to grave. Embedded during manufacturing, Hana’s RFID tyre tags provide each tyre with a unique digital identity, enabling full lifecycle traceability—from production and usage to recycling and repurposing.

“We are excited to join the Circular Rubber Platform as the first RFID company in this initiative,” said Val Peters, VP of Marketing at Hana RFID. “RFID technology is essential for advancing a circular economy in tyre manufacturing, and we look forward to collaborating with partners across the rubber sector to drive sustainability on a broader scale.”

An RFID tyre tag is a small, embedded device that uses radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to track, monitor, and manage tyres. These tags create digital twins of tyres, offering seamless integration with fleet management systems, inventory tracking, and other digital applications, including the European Digital Product Passport (DPP). By enabling a digital twin, Hana’s RFID solutions empower the entire tire ecosystem to optimise maintenance, improve inventory control, streamline fleet management, and develop innovative business models that enhance efficiency and sustainability.

“RFID technology is key to enabling a circular rubber economy. RFID enables seamless tracking from production to end-of-life recycling by connecting material and production data into each rubber product. It provides traceability and easy identification and allows for smart sorting of materials and efficient recycling to ensure responsible reuse, remanufacturing, recycling, and waste reduction,” said Enrico Koggel, Co-founder of Circular Rubber Platform. “We are therefore very happy to announce Hana as a new member of the Circular Rubber Platform, with the technology and experience they can provide to the platform. We look forward to sharing knowledge on RFID and working out opportunities for this technology in rubber industries that require Digital Product Passports in the near future, such as footwear.”

Joining the Circular Rubber Platform aligns with Hana RFID’s mission to drive innovation in tyre traceability and promote a circular economy. Through collaboration with industry leaders, Hana aims to advance RFID adoption in sustainable tyre lifecycle management, ultimately reducing waste and maximising resource efficiency.

Something a Bit Different – When Glass Meets Steel

Ewan Scott
-
0
Something a Bit Different – When Glass Meets Steel

What happens when a glass sculptor blows glass with steel wires from end-of-life tyres?

This innovative experiment was undertaken by glassblower Lisa Hartwig Ericson through the creative initiative Art of Recycling, a concept launched by Swedish Tyre Recycling that invites artists to interpret tyre recycling through their own artistic expression.

Lisa Hartwig Ericson, who is currently completing her Master’s degree in Craft at Konstfack University of Arts, Crafts and Design, was immediately captivated by the potential of the materials she encountered.

“I was drawn to the small steel particles left over after a tyre’s various components have been separated. These tiny wires formed an intriguing mesh and delicate pattern, and I became curious about what might emerge when combined with transparent glass,” explains Hartwig Ericson.

Art in Glass Hartwig Ericson

Her experimental approach yielded unexpected and beautiful results. The steel trapped small air bubbles within the glass, creating an even more fascinating pattern that interacts with light in captivating ways. By placing the glass on a reflective surface, Hartwig Ericson discovered that even more light is reflected into the glass, causing the tiny steel wires to shimmer. In this way, the glass helps us to see the beauty in a material that has been discarded.

“As an artist and designer, it is essential for me to let the material be a co-creator in the process—not only because I enjoy being surprised but also because I believe this approach is crucial when we talk about sustainable development,” she states.

Hartwig Ericson’s work highlights an important perspective shift in how we view materials traditionally seen as waste. Tyres, specifically, come with various perceptions, often viewed simply as waste requiring management. However, in a world facing extreme over-extraction of virgin resources, reconsidering these materials becomes vital.

“We need to shift our perspective from seeing tyres as a problem to recognising them as a solution, from a burden to an asset, from something dull to something attractive, and create conditions that allow us to extract the value that still exists in the material,” Frida Grunewald, Communication manager, SDAB reflects.

Art in Glass Hartwig Ericson

“The Art of Recycling initiative provides a platform for this exact type of exploration. By bringing together art and recycling—two seemingly contrasting domains—the concept creates opportunities for new insights. Combining art and tyres is unexpected, but it is often in the meeting of such contrasts that new insights emerge,” says Frida Grunewald, communication manager at Swedish Tyre Recycling.Art of Recycling welcomes participation from everyone within the creative sphere, including artists, creators, and designers who wish to interpret tyre recycling through their own artistic expression

Jari Mennala Appointed as CEO of Tana Oy

Ewan Scott
-
0
Jari Mennala Appointed as CEO of Tana Oy

Jari Mennala has been appointed as the new CEO of Tana Oy, effective from  May 5th

Jari Mennala brings extensive experience in the heavy equipment industry from John Deere. Throughout his career, Mennala has successfully led global retail and dealer sales and marketing, developed product and service portfolios and strategies, and driven various business transformation initiatives across multiple regions worldwide. Most recently, Mennala served as Director of Worldwide Forestry Sales & Marketing and Managing Director of John Deere Forestry Oy.

“Tana is a leading provider of equipment solutions and services for the recycling industry, and I am honored and excited to join the company at this significant phase of development,” says Mennala. With a pragmatic and customer-centric approach, he will ensure that the company continues to focus on creating value for Tana customers and delivering exceptional service at every touchpoint.

“Mennala is a results-driven leader with an impressive track record in global sales and successfully executing strategic initiatives. His expertise in modernizing and enhancing global sales and service operations will be valuable as Tana accelerates its growth,” says industrial advisor Aaro Cantell, Chairman of Tana Board.

“Tana’s mission, “From Waste to Value”, is very compelling, and I look forward to collaborating with the talented team at Tana, our network partners, and our customers. Together, we will build upon the company’s legacy and strong foundation while driving growth in the solid waste management industry,” Mennala summarises.

Signus and the Real Madrid Foundation Renew Collaboration

Ewan Scott
-
0
Signus and the Real Madrid Foundation Renew Collaboration

For the sixth consecutive year, the collective end-of-life tyre management system, Signus, has renewed its collaboration with the Real Madrid Foundation

In a meeting held at the Real Madrid City auditorium, Real Madrid ambassador Felipe Reyes welcomed Gabriel Leal, General Director of Signus, to formalise the renewal of the collaboration agreement between the two entities.

This collaboration is essential for the sustainability of the Real Madrid Foundation wheelchair basketball social sports school in Getafe, which is held at the Jorge Guillén Primary School.

 This programme serves a dozen children with physical disabilities, between the ages of 8 and 20, providing them with the opportunity to play sports and develop social skills.

Signus has demonstrated a strong commitment to this cause, visiting the beneficiaries each season, along with Felipe Reyes, who emphasised; “Every training session and every moment on the court represents an opportunity to strengthen the autonomy, self-esteem, and teamwork of our beneficiaries.”

For his part, Gabriel Leal, General Manager of Signus, expressed his satisfaction with this collaboration, underscoring the importance of working together for a more sustainable future.

Six seasons ago, Signus joined other organisations that collaborate with the Real Madrid Foundation’s Circular Economy projects. Together, they promote values-based education through sports, such as in the social sports schools for soccer and basketball. This collaboration reflects the conviction that educating about respect for the environment is essential to building a better world. The Real Madrid Foundation is committed to promoting social integration and inclusion, including care for people with disabilities. For this reason, in 2013 the Foundation launched its wheelchair basketball social sports school program to serve this group.

1234...213Page 3 of 213

Tyre and Rubber Recycling

About

Media Information

Legal

Contact

Powered By PageSuite