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Coffee Grinder and Old Tyres to Create Sulphur-free Oil

Ewan Scott
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Coffee Grinder and Old Tyres to Create Sulphur-free Oil

Using a coffee grinder, a freezer and a furnace, researchers have discovered a chemical synergy between scrap tyres and polystyrene in pyrolysis to create sulphur-free, light oil

Believed to be the first study of its kind, chemical engineers at Monash University found strong synergies between tyre scrap and plastics including low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and polystyrene when they were treated together in a system using the process known as rapid pyrolysis that involves subjecting them to high temperatures over a short time.

Blending either polystyrene or LDPE with tyre scrap for pyrolysis effectively eliminated the production of hazardous sulphur-containing compounds that are normally found in the liquid oil produced from the breakdown of tyres.

Professor Lian Zhang, of the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, who led the research team, said LDPE and polystyrene are both very commonly used across a range of consumer goods including packaging, plastic bags and films, bottles and containers and even medical disposables.

“Adding these plastics and using this process to break down tyres can substantially reduce the risk of releasing hazardous materials into the environment,” said Professor Zhang.

“We believe our findings provide a very solid foundation and justification for using co-pyrolysis as an effective and value-added technology for upcycling potentially troublesome waste products.”

Further analysis allowed the mechanisms underpinning the interactions between the chemical components in the system to be identified in detail, explained Ph.D. student Wahyu Narulita Dewi, first author of the study just published in the journal Waste Management.

The Monash team is already undertaking further work to develop and optimise the technology with the aim of enhancing the yield and the quality of the sulphur-free light oil produced by the process.

Further related research will also be a focus of a new Australian Research Council (ARC) Industrial Transformation Research Hub for Value-Added Processing of Underutilized Carbon Waste, led by Professor Zhang, to be launched later in 2024.

Source: Monash University





Twyford Recycling Takes on Karting

Ewan Scott
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Twyford Recycling Takes on Karting

Elite kart racing is a sport measured in thousandths of a second, and drivers, engineers and mechanics will spend countless hours (and nearly any budget) to find those elusive fractions

At a recent round of the British Karting Championships, a single second meant the difference between qualifying in pole position or in 46th place. 

With tightly controlled technical regulations, arguably the single largest determinant of performance is tyre life. Although all drivers are on the same type, the lap time difference between qualifying in the morning and the final in the afternoon can approach one second, meaning this weekend’s race tyres are scrap by the end of the day.

On any given weekend, there can be upwards of 500 drivers racing at circuits around the UK, almost all of whom will need a fresh set of ‘boots’ the following week. Many drivers race every week of a season that can extend to 35 weeks a year, meaning that the accumulation of waste tyres is vast and unmanageable without a structured and organised solution.

Twyford Recycling, through Junior Rotax driver Jack Price and his father, have begun the task of addressing this enormous and growing challenge, launching a pilot scheme with the Forest Edge Kart Club in the South East, seeking to collect and chip this waste pile efficiently and in an environmentally friendly manner.

The early signs are good – teams and drivers enthusiastically delivered dozens of old sets to the waiting van on the first weekend – and the hope is that they can expand the initiative to more circuits across the country in the coming months. 

Improving the environmental credentials of the sport is a priority for the governing body, Motorsport UK, and tyre disposal remains the largest problem on the journey to a sustainable future sport. The team at Twyford Recycling, the organisers of the pilot scheme and the Forest Edge Kart Club community deserve credit for tackling the challenge head on.

Enviro’s TPO has been successfully processed by Neste

Ewan Scott
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Enviro’s TPO has been successfully processed by Neste

Scandinavian Enviro Systems’ (Enviro) recovered pyrolysis oil has been successfully processed into high-quality raw materials for chemicals and plastics by the Finnish company Neste

The successful processing run was performed at Neste’s refinery in Porvoo, Finland. The pyrolysis oil had been delivered from Enviro’s plant in Åsensbruk where Enviro uses its proprietary and patented pyrolysis technology to recover valuable raw materials, such as carbon black and oil, from end-of-life tyres. Neste has previously already successfully produced raw materials for plastics and chemicals from liquefied plastic waste.

“Neste’s test run further demonstrates the potential for our recovered valuable materials in addition to those already identified by our current customers. A more sustainable production of plastics and chemicals is important for the inevitable sustainability transition that the world is facing so Neste’s test run is very interesting and promising,” says Fredrik Emilson, CEO of Enviro.

Since mid-February 2024, the construction of the first full-scale end-of-life tyre recycling facility based on Enviro’s patented pyrolysis method is underway. The facility is being built in Uddevalla in Western Sweden and is owned by the joint venture company that Enviro formed together with Antin Infrastructure Partners and with the support of Michelin.

The joint venture company has already signed legally binding long-term supply agreements regarding the carbon black and oil that the facility will recover to a value of approximately SEK 2 billion. Among the customers are some of the world’s largest tyre and oil producers, including Michelin, Nokian Tyres, H&R Group and Preem. The facility in Uddevalla is expected to be fully operational in 2025.

Tyrewise Launches and has Challenges from Day One

Ewan Scott
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Tyrewise Launches and has Challenges from Day One

New Zealand’s Tyrewise has started its operations with the tyre industry from importers to recyclers now having to register with Tyrewise

However, as with any new scheme to manage large volumes of material there are going to be questions.

Tyrewise has pointed out that tyres currently on sale will not have had a stewardship fee paid on them, so until Tyrewise funded collections begin, operators should follow their existing solutions and must not stockpile tyres until the 1st September when the funded collections begin.

Tyrewise is also getting reports from some participants and the public about instances of the tyre stewardship fee being charged inconsistently on loose tyres. Tyrewise is tackling this in a number of ways:

* All importers should be following the tariff item guidance published by NZ Customs.

* To clear up any uncertainty, Tyrewise can now apply for tariff item rulings from NZ Customs. This means they can be published publicly for all importers to follow.

* If an industry member observes/believes that a competitor is mis-classifying tyres under the incorrect tariff item for competitive advantage, they can email feedback@customs.govt.nz with the subject line ‘industry complaint’.

* Remember no-one can charge a mark-up on the tyre stewardship fee, you can only charge what you were charged. If you think someone is charging a mark-up, please contact Tyrewise.

* If any retailer wishes to discount the Tyre Stewardship Fee, they must first of all show the fee in full on the invoice, and then the amount it is being discounted by – it cannot be shown as $0 or not included.

ELT Used to Manufacture Lithium Batteries

Ewan Scott
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ELT Used to Manufacture Lithium Batteries

Innovation in tyre recycling makes it possible to transform unused tyres into graphitic carbon for electric vehicle batteries

One of the main compounds in End-of-Use tyres is carbon black, which constitutes 22 per cent of their weight and is used as an additive to strengthen the rubber, thus increasing its resistance to traction and wear.

Carbon black can be extracted from ELT through pyrolysis. The recovered carbon black can then be transformed into hard graphitic carbon, an essential component in the anode of lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles. This method, developed by T-Phite, not only allows tyres to be recycled, but can also be a milestone in the sustainable manufacturing of lithium battery components.

The charging capacity of recovered carbon black anodes is comparable to conventional graphite anodes, but the true value of this innovation, in addition to the significant potential to improve the efficiency and durability of electric vehicle batteries, lies in its contribution to the circular economy and its lower environmental impact, by reducing the need to extract graphite, a resource-intensive process that is harmful to the environment.

In each lithium-ion battery of an electric car there is an average of 52 kg of graphite, 25 per cent of its volume. Its supply comes mostly from China and has become vital at a time of expansion for electric vehicles.

Each battery anode from T-Phite would use the rubber transformed into graphitic carbon from 21 unused tyres.

Mars Mineral Delivers Advanced Pin Mixer  to LD Carbon

Ewan Scott
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Mars Mineral Delivers Advanced Pin Mixer  to LD Carbon

Mars Mineral, a global provider of pelletising technology and agglomeration solutions, has announced the shipment of a Model 26D100L stainless steel pin mixer to LD Carbon (LDC), a leading producer of recovered carbon black (rCB)

LDC, based in Seoul, South Korea, will receive the pin mixer at its new manufacturing facility in Dangjin. This plant, slated to open during the second quarter 2024, will be the largest end-of-life tyre pyrolysis and rCB operation in Asia.

The Mars Mineral Pin Mixer is a high-speed, conditioning, and micro-pelletising device that converts rCB from pyrolysis of ELTs into small spherical pellets through the action of a high-speed rotor shaft and pin assembly with the addition of a liquid binder, usually water.  

Pelletising is a vital link to improving rCB output from a pyrolysis plant to end-use customers because pellets are easier to handle, package, and transport than fluffy, unwieldy powder. rCB also diminishes the demand for fossil fuel-derived virgin carbon black, leading to lower overall energy consumption and supporting a circular economy with a reduced carbon footprint. 2

Mars Mineral’s and LDC’s technologies are addressing the global environmental challenge posed by the four billion waste tyres currently populating landfills and stockpiles.

Clayton Woodward, CEO of Mars Mineral, said; “Delivering this advanced pin mixer to LD Carbon fortifies our partnership and mutual dedication to sustainable innovation. Our continued collaboration sets a global benchmark, demonstrating the effectiveness and trust in our advanced pelletising solutions.”

Bumseek Kim, CCO of LD Carbon, reflected on the strategic partnership’s progress; “Securing another state-of-the-art pin mixer from Mars Mineral underscores our shared vision for a greener industry. Their technology is pivotal in scaling our production to meet the escalating demand for eco-friendly tyre and rubber products.”

Planning Approved for Grimsby Pyrolysis Plant

Ewan Scott
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Planning Approved for Grimsby Pyrolysis Plant

North East Lincs Council has approved plans for a 25,000 ton tyre pyrolysis plant at Great Coates Industrial Park, Grimsby

The planning application was made on behalf of Mary Sweere, of Fluid Ice FO Ltd., Mary Sweere is also a director of ELT Recovery Ltd and her resume is admirable. The plant is projected to employ 50 full time jobs and a further 30-40 sub-contractor jobs.

Mary Sweere heads up Fluid Ice FO with plans for Grimsby pyrolysis plant

The planning approval is subject to Environment Agency provisions around the previous use of the site, pert of which has been used for landfill.

The Fluid Ice FO website suggests various partnerships with existing pyrolysis operators.

Currently, the Environment Agency appears to have no record of any Permits held by ELT Recovery Ltd, or Fluid Ice FO Ltd.

Ms. Sweere advised Tyre and Rubber Recycling that more details would be available once a PR Agency had been engaged.

Grimsby has long been a target for pyrolysis projects. Mishergas had a planned project for Grimsby, but that failed to materialise, as did a previous project by another group of investors.

Companies who also appear to have looked at projects in the Grimsby area include Pyrenergy Ltd, Pyrenergy EP Ltd, Energy Pyrolysis Ltd and Thermal Renewables Ltd has been operating a plant according to environmental reports from NE Lincs Council.  A check on company directors shows connections between all four of these companies.

Pyrolysis is a technology that is currently flying high, with promises of huge dividends, if and when the business comes to fruition. However, attracting the investors to create a plant is always a challenge, and often projected start dates are delayed by the reluctance of investors to fully back projects. The biggest hurdle is finding the markets for the end product. Tyre pyrolysis oil can always be sold to refineries, but the char needs to be refined to become recovered carbon black, and then it has to meet the requirements of the market – that latter point is a hurdle as black is not just black.

We have seen one large project in the UK have all its logistical and technical ducks in a row, but still struggle to reach that final hurdle of the financial investment.

SDAB Enters an Agreement with Antin and Enviro

Ewan Scott
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0
SDAB Enters an Agreement with Antin and Enviro

SDAB (Swedish Tyre Recycling) has entered into an agreement to deliver tyre raw material to feed the new Uddevalla pyrolysis plant

The plant will utilise the innovative Enviro proprietary technology that allows the production from sorted and processed ELTs (End-of-life tyres) of valuable recovered Carbon Black (rCB) and Pyrolysis Oil in high demand by the industry to create a fully circular supply chain. The strategic agreement between the parties entails the delivery of a significant volume of the annual amount of the ELTs collected in Sweden, with deliveries commencing in 2025.

“We are pleased to have been trusted to deliver to this innovative plant being built in Sweden, which maintains high standards for quality and delivery reliability”, says Fredrik Ardefors, CEO of SDAB.

“We are investing significant resources into building this flagship industrial-scale ELT recycling plant. The plant will be the first of many we plan to replicate across Europe and represents the highest standard of excellence towards creating a fully circular economy in tyre recycling sector. The agreement with SDAB marks a key milestone and we are proud to start this collaboration” says Stefano Madeddu, General Manager of the JV Swedish operations. “We are continuously seeking better alternatives for the utilisation of recycled tyres, and the innovative Enviro’s pyrolysis technology used in this new plant is a milestone in this endeavour. This agreement also validates that our efforts in sorting and tailoring to customer needs are yielding success”, adds Ardefors.

TRA Gets Blunt About Car Crash for UK Recycling

Ewan Scott
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TRA Gets Blunt About Car Crash for UK Recycling

The TRA claims that the UK is set to be environmental sick man of Europe if British politicians don’t act

As the ongoing challenges to UK recycling continue with the government all but ignoring the issue, the TRA claims that Britain will be the environmental sick man of Europe if government doesn’t not act soon to update waste regulations.  Revealing the correspondence underway with the Secretary of State for the Environment and his department, the TRA makes public the issues the UK government are failing to engage with. 

At the end of February, European Union legislators passed the first steps to tightening export of waste materials from its members. End-of-life waste tyres were one of the items specifically referenced in the EU’s updated Waste Shipment Regulation. Under the updated EU regulation, waste cannot be sent to non-OECD countries unless the country concerned is willing to import it and can demonstrate the environmentally sound management of waste through auditing by independent bodies and monitoring by the European Commission. The legislation will leave Britain with the unenviable reputation as the only major European nation legally able to export baled end-of-life tyres to countries like India. (Though the legality of sending whole tyres that end up in pyrolysis is open to question – it is prohibited in the Indian regulations).

Figures recently released by India’s Automotive Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ATMA) showed that India imported around 800,000 tonnes of scrapped tyres between April and November 2023. The UK and European Union member nations were the majority contributors. In updating its regulations, the EU recognises that safe and efficient shipments of waste are key for a circular economy.

The TRA and other professional recyclers fear that with waste exports to common destination in Asia banned, irresponsible British operators and exporters are the likely receptacles for those negligent European operators looking to dump their product abroad.

At the end of February, the TRA wrote to the DEFRA minister responsible for waste, Robbie Moore MP, asking him to push officials into action saying, “[As the Minister responsible] ensure we do the right and best thing – respond to the Indian calls to only export shredded tyres, grow our own circular environmentally responsible market and follow the very successful Australian example”. Australia banned the export of most whole ELTs in 2020.

The TRA’s February letter went on, “To be blunt now is time the UK government acknowledged that far from tackling this environmental assault, current policies enable some UK operators to facilitate serious environmental harm … 

“It is embarrassing for us as an industry to know such malpractice takes place, it must be humiliating for those leading British policy making to know how far the reality has drifted from their rhetoric. It is hard to find the green, environmental or circular in the current UK waste tyre policy framework, yet the solutions are clear and simple.”

Peter Taylor OBE, Secretary General of the TRA, said; “Without the necessary policy update Britain will shortly be the environmental sick man of Europe, home to unscrupulous operators taking malign advantage of the European Union’s tighter rules. Britain is set to be the only European nation exporting environmental waste beyond its shores without proper scrutiny or oversight. 

“Ministers have been sitting on their hands for too long, this must stop. The steps are simple and inexpensive.  Four years ago [sic] this was acknowledged with the commitment to end the T8 exemption, yet still we wait for that legislation. Now we see the European Union taking decisive action and, rather than recognising the benefits from aligning with that regulatory approach, our government refuses to engage. Are they really happy to sit back and watch our environmental responsibilities shipped to the other side of the world without comparable oversights?

“Currently the UK has at least 150,000 tonnes of licensed idle domestic recycling capacity of its own, but the business case for maintaining this is being undermined by political lethargy. If the government acted, we could be at the front of the environmental pack – building the circular economy we all want to see. But if the government does not act, we will see a decline in standards. The malady of inertia is settling in and leading us down a path to being the environmental sick man of Europe.”

Comment: Ex-Minister for Armed Forces, James Heappey has been quoted as saying that the UK must prepare for war. In the event of conflict, we will need an industry to recycle rubber. Perhaps, domestic tyre recycling should be a priority in the future.



























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South Africa’s DFFE Commits to Waste Tyre Management

Ewan Scott
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South Africa’s DFFE Commits to Waste Tyre Management

South Africa’s long awaited waste tyre plan has been announced by Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister Barbara Creecy

Creecy revealed the Industry Waste Tyre Management Plan (IWTMP), which was recently approved by the Government, and aims to deal with a number of issues arising from the waste tyre market.

Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister Barbara Creecy

Challenges to be addressed include the limited local processing capacities, storage, and logistical complications.

The IWTMP provides a comprehensive framework for the efficient and effective management of waste tyres in a circular manner. It serves as subordinate legislation to the National Environmental Management: Waste Act 2008 and is enforceable on all the identified role-players.

The new plan aims to ensure full waste tyre collection and the development of processing capacity, along with monitoring systems to ensure the model is properly followed.

Creecy elaborates that the plan outlines objectives such as full waste tyre collection, development of processing capacity and monitoring systems to track progress.

The Waste Management Bureau (WMB) will monitor the implementation of the IWTMP, and provide support for the municipal waste management plans and capacity-building programmes.

Creecy believes that the IWTMP will see all waste tyres being properly processed and the challenge of historic stockpiles being addressed.

This should see a number of opportunities for the private sector to become involved in developing a growing industry built around waste tyres.

The WMB will contract three dedicated regional implementers to manage the logistics and depot management elements of the value chain through contracted service providers.

Creecy adds that the IWTMP  will create opportunities small, medium-sized and microenterprises, from collection to processing, and that these businesses will be supported by the departments of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) and Small Business Development to take advantage of opportunities stemming from the expansion and more effective delivery of the waste tyre value chain.

Once again, South Africa has a plan in place to deal with all its tyre arisings. The previous plan operated by REDISA was not entirely supported by the tyre industry, and became subject of litigation, which ultimately saw the operation shut down. Members of REDISA had hoped to revive the operation but this announcement of the new plan for tyre recycling seems to have put an end to any such ambition.

The IWTMP ultimately aims to achieve 100% waste tyre coverage, complete waste diversion and support of new small businesses across the waste tyre value chain. 

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