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LD Carbon and TRS sign an agreement for a joint-owned TyrXol rubber powder processing plant
LD Carbon, the South Korean waste treatment and raw material recycling company, which has developed a proprietary pyrolysis technology and TRS, a circular economy technology developer and integrator that offers global solutions to produce high-performance sustainable products from end-of-life tyres, have announced that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the implementation of a first factory to produce TyreXol rubber powders coming from the TRS Water Pulse process. The remainder of End-of-life tyres after TyreXolproduction is to be utilised by LDC to produce tyre pyrolysis oil (“TPO”) and high-quality recovered Carbon Black (“rCB”) whose quality has already passed the assurance tests from various global tire manufacturers for commercial adoptions.
TRS has a process of water jetting that treats only the tyre tread to recover high quality materials. The carcass and sidewalls are then processed separately, in this case, by LDC through pyrolysis.
The new endeavour will enable the partners to crystallise major technical and commercial synergies as well as, for TRS, to bring production capacity to meet the pressing demand from TRS customers in Asia. Initially, the plant will process 25 ktpa end-of-life tyres, yielding a volume of 5 ktpa TyreXol Water Pulse powder, which has already passed quality assurance tests from global end customers such as tyre manufacturers, who are accelerating commercial adoptions of TyreXol Water Pulse powder.
“We have been screening many companies globally that could enhance our product range and further differentiate the value-in-use that we bring to tyre manufacturers. We are thrilled to collaborate with TRS. Not only are our technologies complementary, but they have a deep understanding of the market, and we share the same ethical and professional values,” said Baek, Seong-Mun, CEO and co-founder of LDC.
Staffan Ahlgren, CEO and co-founder of TRS commented; “This collaboration is very important for developing additional real circular solutions for the tires and rubber industries. The collaboration was born from months of discussions, which helped us develop a deep mutual respect. It will be an accelerating step enabling us to supply Asian clients regionally and focus on our water-jet technologies in priority.”
Jornadas de Reciclaje are three days of presentation and discussion on recycling focused on the Latin American market
The event opens on the 20th September with the conventional introduction and overview of the industry. Which is followed by a visit to a local recycling operation to highlight the reality of tyre recycling. This conference is a window into the growing tyre recycling sector in Latin America and gives suppliers, producers, technicians and legislators an opportunity to learn about the wider developments, challenges and opportunities offered by this incredibly important recycling sector.
The afternoon sessions discuss tyres in the circular economy and the reuse of tyres and other polymers. Reverse logistics are discussed as a model for tyre collection, something that is a real option in many Latin American countries where long distances see new tyres being delivered, and a need for a return load, so reverse logistics has some real potential in the Latin markets.
Grace Collantes presents on the Ecuadorian EPR association CEREP. Martin von Wolfersdorff gives updates on the latest state of play in the tyre pyrolysis sector. A final session on day one focuses on retreading with a presentation from Eduardo Acosta, General Manager of Neumaservicio Ltda, and President of the Asociación de Recauchadores y Renovadores de Neumáticos de Chile (ARNEC).
Day two Kicks off with an update on the Chilean EPRscheme from José Browne Löpez. This is followed by discussions on the use of tyre-derived fuel in cement plants, which remains a key outlet for tyre arisings. Then, further discussion on the characterisation of recycled rubber and the outcomes of research into tyre pyrolysis oil and its potential in the market.
The second-morning session hears from SIGNUS’ Gabreal Lealon finances and establishing eco-tariffs. This is accompanied by presentations from Ecotr and Precimeca.
Rubberised asphalt is considered one of the best non-back-to-rubber outcomes for recycling and the Jornados Reciclaje have dedicated a full afternoon to presentations discussing the technical and real challenges that the rubberised asphalt technology faces with presentations from experts across the sector discussing technologies, applications, modifiers and real-life experiences of the benefits of rubberised asphalt.
The final sessions on the third day cover the valorisation of tyres in cement kilns, new asphalt technology using pyrolysis char, and tools for developing the circular economy.
Michelin will discuss the development of Neuma Peru and Jacinto Monserrate will present on SEGINUS, Ecuador’s leading tyre EPR scheme.
Zeppelin Systems will be presenting the Sustainable Tire Alliance at Friedrichshafen
The recovery of used tyres into valuable secondary raw materials and recycling products is a key factor for the realisation of sustainable and efficient tyre production in Europe.
As a partner of the AZuRnetwork and through the newly founded “Zeppelin Sustainable Tire Alliance” Zeppelin contributes significantly to the circular economy of used tyres. Together with strong international partners, Zeppelin Systems, as a global player in plant engineering, drives holistic and innovative tyre recycling solutions following the goal of saving precious resources of this earth.
On October 26, 2023, the newly founded technology alliance “Zeppelin Sustainable Tire Alliance” will present itself together with its partners AZuR,ZARE and NEW LIFE at the Tire Recycling Day in Friedrichshafen near Lake Constance in Germany.
An exciting and varied programme around the topic of tyre recycling awaits. And of course, there will be time to network and chat with experts on-site.
Mark this date in your calendar. Detailed event information will follow shortly before the event.
Scandinavian Enviro Systems has contracted Mårten Wikforss as responsible for the company’s communications and investor relations
Wikforss is an independent communications advisor with a focus on cleantech and greentech companies and has, among other things, been the communications and IR manager for the fuel cell company PowerCell Sweden AB. Wikforss has a long-standing past as an information manager within AB Volvo, including the role of Executive Vice President, Corporate Communication.
Mårten Wikforss has been continuously employed by Enviro as an advisor for several years, but the company has now choosen to formalise the collaboration by giving him an official role as responsible for the company’s communications and investor relations. The change is made against the background of the spring’s agreement with the leading European infrastructure structure investor Antin and the resulting increasing need for a closer dialogue with the stock market and other external stakeholders.
Germany’s ZARE says that reports of illegal waste tyre disposals are not decreasing despite ongoing pressure to recycle
In light of the continuing illegal dumping of tyres, ZARE states that it is important to highlight the situation and make politicians aware of the size of the problem. This is the only way that the legal situation can change so that the export of used tyres is more strictly regulated and monitored.
Large quantities of used tyres are produced every year, especially in commercial vehicles, which remain in the circular economy with the help of professional disposal. ZARE will inform the industry, politicians and the public about the many possibilities this autumn at the NUFAM in Karlsruhe.
As the result of an approach to the European Union by ZARE, the organisation received a statement from EU head of department Mattia Pellegrini at the end of July. The EU Commission Directorate B Circular Economy responded to a letter from ZARE on the topic of exporting used tyres from the EU. In his answer, Pellegrini explains that a new regulation is to be adopted by the European Parliament in the near future, which “will further tighten the conditions under which waste, including used tyres, could be exported to countries outside the EU in the future”.
The EU is required, under the Basel Convention, at a global level to pay special attention to end-of-life tyres. The ZARE initiative wants to further develop contacts with the EU Commission and remain in dialogue in order to advance efforts to end illegal exports of used tires.
ZARE at the NUFAM in Karlsruhe
From September 21st to 24th the NUFAM will take place at the exhibition centre in Karlsruhe. The leading trade fair for the commercial vehicle industry in Germany and Europe offers a diverse overview of the broad portfolio of the industry. ZARE will be in the dm-arena hall at stand C 400. The ZARE initiative is present there alongside the AZuR network every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m
Scandinavian Enviro Systems has recruited Björn Larsson as head of strategic purchasing and Josefin Wallman as programme manager
Björn Larsson
Björn Larsson will have responsibility for purchasing in connection with new recycling plants and Josefin Wallman will act as project manager for the establishment of future recycling plants, including the planned plant in Uddevalla. Larsson and Wallman are both members of the company’s management group and have been assigned roles that are central for the execution of the expansion plan previously announced by Enviro and Antin Infrastructure Partners.
Josefin Wallman
As Enviro Systems’ programme manager, Wallman is tasked with project responsibility for the establishment of the Uddevalla plant as well as future plants in Europe. The Uddevalla plant is intended to be the first plant established as part of the joint venture formed between Enviro and Antin Infrastructure Partners. The joint venture is supported by Michelin and plans to establish plants across Europe by 2030 with a total recycling capacity of up to one million metric tons of end-of-life tires per year.
Björn Larsson is now head of strategic purchasing in connection with the establishment of new recycling plants for Enviro Systems, a role that includes responsibility for the construction of the plants and purchases of related equipment. In this role, he will lead a newly formed group of commodity managers.
Carlisle residents are objecting to pyrolysis proposals for Rockliffe parishput forward by the Canigou Group
In August 2022 Tyre and Rubber Recycling reported on objections to a proposed tyre pyrolysis plant in Carlisle.
Now, as the pre-planning consultation outcomes from Canigou Group at the Hearthlands Estate, Kingsmoor Park, Carlisle are reaching their final stage, local residents are continuing their campaign to stop the development.
Sally Tears, Rockcliffe and District Action Group said; “What I would say to people is it’s not just our back yard or there back yard it’s all our back yards, it’s the whole of Cumbria’s problem, so I’m looking after all of our back yards, not just mine.
Carlisle Lib Dem Councillor Tim Pickstone, who represents the area, commented that residents were understandably concerned about yet another waste processing facility.
Canigou, a Hong Kong-based group, says that the proposal would create around 10 jobs and process 15,000tpa of tyres.
Comments on the new article in the News and Star are largely supportive of the project, accepting that tyres need to be recycled. One poster even hit the nail on the head, “Tyres need to get recycled, and this makes more sense than shipping them out of the country.” Another asks the question about the pollution levels from the process. “Will there be any pollution issues associated with the tyre processing?”
There is a real need for the pyrolysis developers to be as transparent as possible about their proposed operations. No modern tyre or plastics pyrolysis plant operating to UK or European standards will emit anything more than the maximum allowed exhausts. In fact, the most efficient plants will want to maximise their efficiency and recover the maximum value from the materials being processed, allowing material that can be recovered to be passed into the environment runs counter to the ideal of a modern pyrolysis plant.
Canigou’s project manager Lawrence Santangeli has been asked for comment, and we will develop this story when we have his response.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) formulator claims that the UK has always been ‘a bit of an odd bird’ when it comes to waste and recycling and has warned ‘these are not the big things yet’ after the UK’s policy gave in to cost of living lobbying
The UK government announced recently that it was delaying the fees associated with its flagship environmental policy of Extended Producer Responsibility for at least a year, amid warnings from the industry that the scheme will drive up prices. A rather convenient use of inflation as a lobbying tool to prevent the development of better recycling practices. A tool that only works against a weak government facing an election in the face of polling that suggests a landslide victory for the opposition unless the existing government can pull a rabbit out of its hat.
With some industry voices describing it as a relief that their calls for the government to “go back to the drawing board” had finally been listened to, Lindquist, the man who developed the concept of EPR some 33 years ago, intimated that ‘getting it right’ would not be straightforward.
“We have all said that the UK is a bit of an odd bird,” Lindquist told ecoveritas.com “They are organised differently. They are pushing over problems to the municipalities and putting pressure on the municipalities.
“I don’t think it is a good idea from a policy perspective and long-term development. But equally, we (Sweden) tried to do it differently but failed because we didn’t make it interesting for the industry. We didn’t make it interesting enough for producers to develop their products and offers. In various ways, we have done something good but failed on essential points.”
Lindquist’s point about making it interesting for the industry is one that Tyre and Rubber Recycling has made before. There needs to be a “greenhouse environment” to encourage the recycling industry. Linquist continues; “In Sweden and the UK, we have much more and better waste management than before. We already have a reasonable way of collecting much more. But producers don’t feel the pressure or the need to improve their offers. And the market doesn’t reward those that do. So, we have to ensure we get a system that rewards them.”
With many having invested valuable time and resources getting ready to implement EPR and bring about the step-change in recycling rates that the policy is designed to deliver, Lindquist believes the latest announcement was a missed opportunity for the UK to show strong leadership and commitment.
Producers had lobbied hard for a delay recently, even meeting with the Prime Minister to raise concerns over EPR in light of the recent cost-of-living situation. The latest delay will push the main part of EPR – the fees – to after the 2024 election, potentially adding further delays.
But Lindquist believes the industry was ready to press ahead and suggests that Defra should do a better job of “finding friends and understanding potential enemies”.
“I think most bigger companies don’t worry at all,” he added. “But they are not the ones going out in public. You normally choose the less progressive action if you are in an industry organisation and representing businesses.”
Associations can and do mask the willingness, or ability of members to act, especially if acting has a cost associated. Many years ago, talking to a representative of a major tyre manufacturer about recycling, Tyre and Rubber Recycling was told, “We are happy with the status quo [voluntary agreements in a free market], but our head office has told us that if EPR is proposed, we should support it.” Yet, The Tyre Recovery Association’s Peter Taylor is vehemently against EPR – serving as an example of what Lindquist has experienced.
“Throughout the years,” Lindquist continues. “When I’ve tried to be part of discussions, I tried to avoid associations and find representatives from companies because they are much more constructive. And they know well what the problems could be, but they are not saying we don’t want to do something from the beginning.
“So, I don’t think the industry is so much against it. And I think the European industry knows these are not the big things yet. The type of systems you (the UK) are discussing now will not change much. The cost would be marginal for the industry. I don’t think the true industrialists are afraid.
“This idea of finding your friends and understanding potential enemies. I think it’s much, much more important. Revolution is happening. I think the change will be slow, but I think we can start by making it possible to formulate the requirements which can be put into laws and standards and so on. And there are many people who are good at those things. And then we can start to do some real work.”
Devulcanised rubber going back into tyres is an ideal recycling solution
In an interview in Packaging Insights in February 2023, Lindquist argued that the issue runs deeper. That we can see a lot of recovery for recycling, but the waste is downgraded and, as he says, landfilled into products rather than replacing new materials. In essence, the recycled materials going into alternate uses, end up being taken out of the circular economy and potentially have a final destination of a landfill, rather than reuse or recovery.
Ecoveritas CEO Irvin Newbitt added; “The worry is the last five years of work and engagement with the sector are rapidly eroding, along with our optimism and energy. That is why it is now crucial that government, industry, and councils all put their foot on the floor in planning full implementation from 2025.
“Our mission remains to rise above this confusion and advocate for progressive change. We continue to stand ready to work with the government and industry to implement an EPR scheme that delivers a high level of recycling and effectively tackles packaging waste.
“And remember, the businesses that embrace change – and the political party that helps them – will be the ones that win.”
India’s largest tyre recycler Tinna Rubber is expanding its footprint in the Middle Eastern market by acquiring a majority stake in an Omanbased tyre recycling operation
The move will provide Tinna with access to the region in Gulf Cooperation Council Countries (GCC).
The capacity of the pilot project is to recycle 10,000 metric tons annually,” said Sharma. “Our vision is to scale up the capacity by threefold in the next one to three years.”
Initially, the focus is on streamlining the production and supply chain issues besides understanding the region’s policy towards the recycling of waste tyres.
“So far, we have invested about $2 million in the project,” he added. Production at the site started in July 2023. The project will not only help in building circularity in the Oman economy but will also generate employment opportunities.
Meanwhile, Tinna Rubberis also expanding in the western part of India with a $5 million investment in a new facility near Mumbai.
“We are now in the midst of setting up a car tyre recycling plant on 10 acres of land, at a location called Varle, which is about 80 km from Mumbai,” said Sharma. The new site will have the capacity to recycle 60,000 metric tons of car tyres annually and is expected to be operational by the end of 2023.
Tinna Rubber & Infrastructure Limited was founded 1977, and today it is India’s largest End-of-Life Tyre (ELT) material recycler, having a legacy of over 40 years in the rubber business. It is also the only recycling company having a well-diversified application portfolio servicing the infrastructure, consumer, and industrial sectors.
Currently, Tinna operates four tyre recycling sites in Haldia (W Bengal), Wada (Maharashtra), Chennai (Tamil Nadu) and Panipat (Haryana).
The Indian expansion will bring Tinna’scombined capacity to 200,000 tons of waste tyres per year, claims the company, and this will enable Tinna to become the largest waste tyre recycler in Asia.
The Recircle Awards Nominations Ceremony for the Final Four Awards can now be viewed on the Retreading Business Youtube Channel
The categories and the nominees for the final four Recircle Awards were revealed last week as the awards programme continues to pick up pace for its first presential ceremony due at Bologna later this year during Futurmotive.
Latest Batch of Nominees Announced
Hosted by the well-known Recircle Awards duo Richard Wilson and María Tarazaga, the virtual Nominations Ceremony announced four new categories and their nominees and also explained how the winners would be determined for these categories. You can watch the ceremony on our Youtube channel.
