Pyrum and Continental further expand the circular economy in the tyre industry
Pyrum to Supply rCB to Continental
Pyrum Innovations AG, a pioneer in the sustainable recycling of end-of-life tyres (ELT) based on its patented pyrolysis technology, has concluded a development agreement with the premium tyre manufacturer Continental.
The aim of the cooperation is to further optimise and expand the recycling of ELT through pyrolysis. In the medium term, the objective is to obtain, among other things, exceptionally high-quality industrial Carbon Black (rCB) for Continental‘s tyre production. Carbon Black is a key component of many tyre compounds.
The use of high-quality Carbon Black can specifically improve the performance of tyres. As early as March 2022, Reifen-Entsorgungsgesellschaft (REG), a subsidiary of Continental, will begin supplying ELT to Pyrum. In the long term, a circular economy concept for the recycling of ELT is being sought. Since Pyrum‘s IPO in 2021, Continental has already held a strategic minority stake in the company.
“We have been in close communication with Continental for some time and are pleased to further expand our partnership with this agreement. Our business model is already fully sustainable. Together with Continental, we now want to take the next step towards a sustainable tyre industry”, says Pascal Klein, CEO of Pyrum Innovations.
“In Pyrum, we have found a partner who has developed a particularly efficient pyrolysis process. Together we want to further develop the processes for the pyrolysis of end-of-life tyres. Our goal is to recover valuable materials and high-performance raw materials on an industrial scale in the future, including for Continental’s tyre production”, explains Dr Andreas Topp, Head of Materials and Process Development and Industrialisation of Continental‘s Tyre Division.
Industrial Carbon Black is an essential resource used as a filler in tyre production and the manufacture of other industrial rubber products. Carbon Black recovered from ELT helps to reduce the use of fossil raw materials as well as CO2 emissions. The specific use of Carbon Black in rubber compounds increases the stability, strength, and the durability of tyres. In a standard passenger car tyre, the proportion of carbon black, to which tyres owe their black colour, is 15 to 20 per cent.
